Swedish Researchers’ Night explores the earth beneath our feet

From 22–27 September, ForskarFredag – Sweden’s most widespread science festival – returns. This year’s theme, “The earth beneath our feet,” invites the public, pupils, and teachers to take part in activities such as workshops, excursions, experiments and discussions with researchers. Events will be held in 26 locations across the country along with over 180 classroom visits.

Our current activities

Public & Science joins European exercise on science communication
Public & Science is contributing as a national expert in the new Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on Science Communication in Research & Innovation, organised by the EU COALESCE project. The initiative brings together government representatives, research organisations and science communication experts from nine countries to exchange knowledge and strengthen support for science communication. The MLE runs until March 2027, with Sweden represented by Public & Science and the Swedish Research Council. Read more.

National heat of the Researchers’ Grand Prix
On 10 October, the national heat of the 2025 Researchers’ Grand Prix is taking place during SciFest in Uppsala. Researchers compete to present their work in the most engaging, inspiring and understandable way – in just four minutes – with winners chosen jointly by the audience and expert judges. Five researchers from across Sweden will battle for a place in the final, to be held on 18 November in Stockholm. Read more.

Online workshop: From a real-world soil problem to a research question
On 3 October, the EU LOESS project is hosting an online workshop for higher education lecturers on how to turn community soil health challenges into meaningful research questions. The session will feature methods such as science shops, service-learning and Community-Engaged Research and Learning (CERL). Registration is now open. Read more.

New public engagement and research careers factsheets
The EU INSPIRING ERA project has published two new thematic factsheets. The first, Bringing Science Closer to Citizens, presents examples of inspiring European public engagement initiatives, along with links to tools and resources. The second, Research Careers in the European Research Area, highlights policy measures supporting attractive and sustainable career paths for researchers. Read more.

Our recent activities

Bringing soil to life in Gothenburg
On 29 August, Public & Science launched its first campaign activity on soil health within the EU LOESS project at Frihamnsdagarna, a national arena for dialogue on sustainability and societal issues, in Gothenburg. Visitors followed the trail of the earthworm to discover interesting facts about soil and test their knowledge in a quiz. The event marks the start of more than 11 LOESS outreach activities across Sweden this autumn, inviting schools and the public to explore the hidden universe beneath our feet. Read more.

Guest blog: Strengthening science capital through dialogue
At the end of a one-month internship with Public & Science Sweden, PhD student Hayley French reflects on her first encounter with the concept of science capital and how it reshaped her view of outreach. She also shares insights from analysing the Swedish Borrow a Researcher programme and its role in making science more accessible. Read more.

Public & Science Sweden in social media