On Friday, September 26, 2025, the European Researchers’ Night returns, the annual event that brings science closer to society with initiatives taking place all over Europe. This year, CNR-INO will participate with a rich and engaging program, with our researchers involved in activities both in Pisa and Naples.

Pisa – BRIGHT 2025

The traditional Pisa edition of Researchers’ Night, BRIGHT, this year is part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the CNR Research Area in Pisa, with a three-day program (September 24–26) involving schools, citizens, and visitors.

The mornings of September 24, 25, and 26 will be dedicated to schools, with seminars, Bright-Tech Talks, and open laboratories. Among these, we highlight the talk by CNR-INO researcher Gabriele Bandini, who on September 25 will present “Travelling with Accelerators: what will the radiotherapy of the future look like?”, explaining how particle accelerators are built and why they can be used to treat patients, tracing their technological development up to today’s cutting-edge research and future applications in cancer therapy.

On the afternoon of September 26, the Research Area will open to the general public, with a program featuring CNR-INO researchers in several activities:

• Visit to the Superlaser at the ILIL laboratory (reservation required: bit.ly/46bhNww);
• Optics experiments in the dark, also suitable for children (reservation required: bit.ly/4n7nFwT);
• The Science Toy Library, in collaboration with SMA-UNIPI;
• Two science games: Watson, the “Scrabble of the elements” based on the periodic table, and Quanto, a card game of varying difficulty levels exploring the principles of quantum physics;
• Demonstrations of laser-driven particle accelerators and other small laser-based experiments.

Finally, starting at 7:30 pm (weather permitting), participants will have the chance to observe Saturn and its rings, as well as other celestial objects, through a telescope (reservation required: bit.ly/4ml8Buj).

The full program of events in Pisa is available at: nottedeiricercatori.pisa.it

Naples – CREO Games

On the same day, September 26, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Piazza Municipio in Naples will host the CREO Games, promoted by the CNR Campania REte Outreach network.

Visitors, both young and old, will be able to step into the shoes of real scientists for an evening:

• Exploring stands and collecting stamps;
• Solving puzzles and trying out experiments;
• Taking part in scientific activities, from quizzes on longevity to optical illusions, and from learning about cells to defending the planet by reducing our carbon footprint.

At the end of the journey, the Photo Boot will reveal what type of scientist you are, with a special surprise waiting for you. An opportunity to experience science as a game, meet researchers, and discover how engaging and fun research can be.