reSEArch-EU - European University of the Seas

On European Researchers’ Night, 30th September, 2022, the University of Malta’s Open Science
Ambassadors (OSAs) took an active role in the Science in the City 2022 festival.

Science in the City is Malta’s national science and arts festival which brings together scientists,
researchers, artists, and the public to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the power of science. The
expected audience of Science in the City is people of all ages and backgrounds, with a particular focus on
families and children. The festival is designed to be accessible and engaging for everyone, regardless of
their scientific knowledge or interests.

The OSAs put together a set of presentations called “Iftah Berah: Making Research Accessible to All.”
Translating to “Wide Open”, the Maltese catch-phrase “Iftah Berah” was chosen to capture people’s
attention. Adverse weather conditions, specifically heavy rain, forced us to conclude the activity
prematurely, resulting in the cancellation of certain presentations. Despite this setback, we were allocated
a space where we showcased the University’s institutional repository using roll-ups, distributed
information on open science through pamphlets, and shared details about SEA-EU. Additionally, we
distributed freebies supplied by the University of Malta Library. Dr Ritienne Gauci effectively presented
an engaging session on Open Science, tailored to captivate a wide audience, particularly families and
children participating in the festival. Her presentation highlighted the essence of Open Science and its
tangible applications in our daily lives.

Dr Adam Gauci was also engaged in a separate stand which exhibited the Citizen Science campaigns
coordinated by the Oceanography Malta Research Group at the University of Malta. One of these, the
Spot the Jellyfish campaign, has been running for more than 10 years. Originally an IOI-Kids activity, it has
now morphed into a popular national campaign.

Presentation Highlights

During the presentation, Dr Ritienne Gauci provided a comprehensive introduction to Open Science,
aiming to make this complex topic accessible to the general public. She highlighted several examples of
Open Science in everyday life, including widely used tools such as Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Street Views, which are available to users free of charge. Additionally, she engaged the audience by mentioning video games like GeoGuessr, which leverage open science principles, thereby making learning and exploration enjoyable for people of all ages.

Engagement and Outreach

During the presentation, Dr Ritienne Gauci provided a comprehensive introduction to Open Science,
aiming to make this complex topic accessible to the general public. She highlighted several examples of Open Science in everyday life, including widely used tools such as Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Street Views, which are available to users free of charge. Additionally, she engaged the audience by mentioning video games like GeoGuessr, which leverage open science principles, thereby making learning and exploration enjoyable for people of all ages.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges posed by inclement weather, the Open Science Ambassadors successfully
delivered an engaging and informative presentation on Open Science during the Science in the City 2022
festival. Through relatable examples and interactive discussions, the OSAs effectively conveyed the
significance of Open Science in everyday life, reaching both children and adults. By fostering awareness
and understanding about Open Science, the OSAs contributed to the promotion of knowledge sharing and collaboration within the community.