The CIGUS centres had a strong presence at G-NIGHT, the Galician Night of Researchers.

On 26 September, researchers from all CIGUS centres took part in the fifth edition of G-Night – the Galician Researchers’ Night. This scientific outreach event is held simultaneously in hundreds of European cities as part of the European Researchers’ Night, with the aim of bringing science closer to society in an accessible and engaging way.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, cities across Galicia were transformed into hubs of science, offering free public activities such as workshops, experiments, guided tours, talks, exhibitions, and science fairs.

The event was coordinated by the University of Vigo and involved research centres from the Universities of Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña, as well as several CSIC institutes (IEGPS, IEO, MBG, IIM, and Incipit) and research institutions such as INIBIC, CESGA or Ecobas.

The University of Vigo organised a science fair at the Redeiras building in the city centre. Researchers from the Marine Research Centre (CIM) ran a range of workshops designed to engage families with science. Topics included the role of plants in ecosystems, the DNA of molluscs and crustaceans from Galician estuaries, and the impact of microplastics on our daily lives. These activities were led by the Sedimentary Basins Analysis group and the Evolutionary Genetics and Biodiversity Conservation group.

At the Santiago campus, researchers from CIGUS centres took part in an exhibition held in the cloister of the Colegio de Fonseca.

Researchers from CiQUS contributed with an activity titled “Molecular science in action: from play to innovation” aimed at children, as well as an exhibition of cutting-edge research projects for adults. These showcased investigations into how methane can be used as a raw material for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other high-value compounds, and the development of new sustainable materials for energy storage.

At the IGFAE stand, researchers offered interactive games to help participants explore the basic building blocks of all known matter — including tracing the paths of normally invisible particles and constructing atomic nuclei, atoms, and molecules by combining different types of quarks and electrons.

CRETUS researchers presented their work under the title “A scientific look at environmental pollution: risks, sources and solutions”. Activities for children included a simulated excavation, demonstrations of simple analytical techniques for detecting pollution, and an introduction to genetic editing.

In A Coruña, more than thirty researchers from CICA shared their work through a public workshop. Under the slogan “CICA for Global Health”, they led a variety of hands-on activities allowing participants to experience how science contributes to both planetary and human wellbeing.

Meanwhile, researchers from CITIC gave several science communication talks and hosted numerous workshops for all ages, including “Caring for your knees: osteoarthritis, mobility and new technologies”, “Explore science and technology!”, and the “Smart Robotics Workshop”, which took place in the CITENI robotics lab.

The participation of the CIGUS Network centres in G‑Night was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to science outreach and to bringing research closer to society. It also helped to promote science as a driver of social cohesion and to improve public understanding of the global challenges we face in health, energy and the environment.