Public Engagement
Public Engagement refers to “the set of activities institutionally organized by the University or its structures, carried out on a non-profit basis, with educational, cultural, and societal development value.”
Public Engagement implies the involvement and participation of both internal and external audiences to the University, for the benefit of society and academic institutions. It is based on the transfer and co-creation of knowledge in dialogue with communities and territories.
Go to the Public Engagement page of the University of Florence
With the aim of enhancing the University’s initiatives and creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with the community for the social, cultural, and economic development of the territory, the UNIFI EXTRA 2024 call was issued to finance Public Engagement projects with a high impact on their target audiences.
Among the approved and funded projects is the initiative to counter ageism: Generating Resources to Break Stereotypes - Ge.R.A.S Project, promoted by our Department in collaboration with the Departments FORLIPSI, DMSC, and DISIA. The scientific coordinator of the project is Prof. Manila Vannucci.
Bright Night 2024
On Friday, September 27, the 2024 Researchers’ Night took place in Florence, a European event dedicated to scientific and cultural outreach. In Tuscany, the event is called BRIGHT-NIGHT and involves the region’s universities, alongside numerous cultural organizations and local institutions.
In Florence, Bright Night was held in Piazza SS. Annunziata, where researchers guided the public through experiments, interactive workshops, and scientific demonstrations.
Among the initiatives at the pavilion dedicated to children, the Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA) presented "Discovering Organoids!", an activity designed to explain how science approaches the discovery of new treatments through the use of organoids. These small three-dimensional models, created from pluripotent stem cells, replicate the functions of human organs and allow diseases to be simulated. With the help of microscopes and monitors, visitors of all ages were able to observe organoid movements in real time and learn about the process of transformation from stem cells to organoids.
In this video, NEUROFARBA researchers talk about their work with organoids.
Pictures from Bright Night 2024
Last update
17.09.2025