Science, innovation, and society meet in Milan with talks, workshops, and live events
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the European Researchers’ Night, the European Union initiative that every year brings science closer to the public, engaging hundreds of cities across the continent. This year’s edition, scheduled for 26–27 September, will involve more than 460 cities in 25 countries.
On this occasion, MEETmeTonight returns to Milan: two days of activities, meetings, workshops, and performances, open to everyone and hosted by the University of Milan at Via Festa del Perdono 7, right in the heart of the city.
Among the partners of the 2025 edition is MUSA – Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action.
MUSA’s participation in Meet Me Tonight will be an opportunity to share with students, families, and citizens its ongoing projects on circular economy, energy transition, smart mobility, and the enhancement of human capital in research.
The core of MMT25 will be the five thematic Pavilions, inspired by the missions of the Horizon Europe programme: on Saturday 27 September, more than 25 stands will be open to the public to foster dialogue on the European Union’s key priorities, from cancer research to climate change.
Alongside the pavilions, the programme offers a variety of formats, running from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening, designed to engage audiences of all ages:
-
Talks: short stage presentations where researchers share their work and research challenges in an accessible way.
-
Workshops: hands-on activities and labs for children, teenagers, and adults to experience the scientific method through games, experiments, and challenges.
-
Speed Dates: informal one-on-one meetings with PhD students to learn about their studies and experiences.
-
EU Corner: a space dedicated to European projects, showcasing initiatives funded through EU programmes.
-
Performances: entertainment moments blending science and the arts, offering different perspectives on research.
MUSA’s contribution will be hands-on and visible across the programme, with several of its researchers leading stands, talks, and workshops to present the outcomes of their projects:
-
Sustainable mobility – Luca D’Aconto (Pavilion “Smart Cities”), showcasing research on new solutions for greener transport, in line with the Horizon Europe mission.
-
Urban co-design – Boffi and Rainisio (University of Milan, Pavilion “Smart Cities”), presenting methods to engage communities in shaping sustainable urban spaces.
-
Smart Cities and Health: Discover the Air You Breathe – Rossella Bengalli (University of Milano-Bicocca, Pavilion “Smart Cities”), with interactive air monitoring activities.
-
The Sounds of the City – Zambon and Guagliumi (Pavilion “Climate Change”), exploring urban soundscapes and their impact on well-being.
-
Smart Health City: Telemedicine and the Future of Accessible Healthcare – Chignoli (University of Milan, Pavilion “Smart Cities”), on innovative digital health services.
-
Data for Social Inequalities: How Citizens Can Contribute to Collection and Use – Paraboni (Politecnico di Milano, workshop), highlighting the role of civic engagement in data-driven research.
-
Biosensors – Lorenzo Federico (University of Milano-Bicocca, Talk), introducing new sensor technologies for health and environmental monitoring.
Through these initiatives, MUSA researchers will show how scientific knowledge can directly address the challenges of urban life, from mobility to health, from air quality to social equity.
