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CERIS Brings Science Closer to Society at European Researchers’ Night 2026
On 25 September 2026, CERIS participated in European Researchers’ Night across Lisbon, Coimbra and Aveiro, engaging with the public through interactive activities and demonstrations that highlighted the role of research in addressing environmental and societal challenges.
From sustainable construction and innovative building technologies to biodiversity and climate change, CERIS researchers shared their work with visitors of all ages, demonstrating how science and engineering can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Lisbon: Exploring Sustainable Engineering
At the National Museum of Natural History and Science, CERIS researchers invited visitors to explore innovative approaches to sustainability through hands-on experiments and interactive demonstrations.
Alessandra Ranesi presented “Sustainable Innovation: Nature-driven Construction”, encouraging visitors to compare conventional and bio-based construction materials. Participants were challenged to rank materials such as cement, gypsum, lime and raw earth according to the carbon emissions associated with their production. The activity also introduced innovative materials derived from agricultural and industrial residues, including mycelium-based solutions developed within the LIVStab project.
Iran Rocha Segundo led “Sustainable Roads: How Civil Engineering Is Tackling Climate Change”, demonstrating how permeable pavements, recycled materials and innovative surface treatments can help reduce flooding risks, mitigate urban heat islands and promote more sustainable transport infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Santos and Sílvia Monteiro explored the connections between climate change, disease-carrying mosquitoes and water reuse through interactive activities, highlighting how scientific research contributes to environmental protection and public health.
Aveiro: Innovation for the Built Environment
At Fábrica – Centro Ciência Viva, CERIS researchers showcased four projects addressing different challenges in the construction sector.
Inês Meireles, Romeu Vicente, Victor Ferreira and Ana Antunes presented aRTes – Active Roofs in Southern Europe: Portuguese Perspective, exploring sustainable roofing solutions and their potential contribution to more environmentally responsible buildings.
Vitor Silva and Daniel Gomez introduced AID4Buildings – Artificial Intelligence and Drones for Buildings Characterisation, highlighting the potential of digital technologies for building assessment.
The Security and Intelligence for Home Scenarios project, funded by AlticeLabs@UA, brought together Carlos Couto, Jorge Ferraz de Abreu, Hélder Caixinha, Rúben Santo and Alexandre Santos Sousa, presenting intelligent technologies and security solutions for residential environments.
Finally, António Figueiredo, Romeu Vicente, Victor Ferreira, Hugo Rodrigues, Hugo Vitorino and Peyman Sabbahfar showcased HyMotion – Hybrid Component Solutions for Modular Construction, focusing on innovative approaches to hybrid components and modular building systems.
Together, these projects demonstrated the diversity of CERIS research and the importance of technological innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in shaping the future of construction.
Coimbra: Biodiversity and Sustainable Cities
In downtown Coimbra, CERIS and Itecons researchers Márcio Gonçalves, Andreia Cortês and Margarida Calmeiro, at the Coimbra Bauhaus – New European Bauhaus Local Chapter stand, presenting activities associated with the B_Green – Biodiversity & Green in Mediterranean Historic Cities project.
Visitors explored the relationship between urban green spaces, cultural heritage and biodiversity through participatory activities, including ranking public spaces according to their preferences and identifying bird species found in Coimbra's historic centre.
These activities encouraged reflection on the importance of integrating biodiversity and heritage conservation into the development of greener, more inclusive and sustainable cities.
Bringing Research Closer to Communities
CERIS's participation in European Researchers’ Night 2026 reinforced its commitment to science communication and public engagement. By bringing researchers and citizens together across three cities, the initiative provided an opportunity to share scientific knowledge, stimulate curiosity, and show how research helps address real-world challenges.