On Friday, September 26, the 16th edition of the European Researchers’ Night was held, coordinated by the Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d, in which the IMDEA institutes participate every year.
On this occasion, the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid once again became a meeting point between our researchers and the curious attendees. Under the motto “Science that Helps the Planet (II) – Make a Wish to Science”, the seven IMDEA institutes joined forces to engage with the public on the role of science in building a more sustainable future.
This year’s format posed an open question to the audience: What would you ask of science if you could make only one wish? Based on these reflections, IMDEA researchers shared how the projects currently being developed at their institutions can realistically contribute to addressing society’s challenges.
In this edition, Antonio Fernández, deputy director of IMDEA Software, together with José Manuel Torralba, director of IMDEA Materials, moderated the event. The session featured representatives from the seven IMDEA institutes —Water, Energy, Materials, Nanoscience, Networks, Food, and Software— who offered their perspectives on how their respective fields of research can help make the public’s wishes a reality.
Representing IMDEA Software was postdoctoral researcher Gibran Gómez. In his presentation, he emphasized the importance of having secure software environments in critical infrastructures such as nuclear or hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental disasters. He also highlighted how program optimization can reduce the use of natural resources and how faster communications can strengthen the response capacity of security teams.
Researchers from the various IMDEA centers agreed that science should not be limited to solving technical issues; it must also listen to and respond to the wishes, needs, and concerns of society.
Once again, the IMDEA institutes demonstrate their commitment to scientific outreach and bring the impact of their research closer to citizens. Because science is essential to improving our present and building a more sustainable future.
