Bringing Science Closer to the Public: AI4LUNGS participated in European Researchers’ Night 2026
Science is everywhere, from the technology used in hospitals to the research helping us better understand the human body. But how often does the public get the chance to meet the people behind that research?
This year on the 25th of September, AI4LUNGS, represented by João Pedrosa, Tânia Melo, Ana Filipa Sousa, Daniel Proaño-Guevara, and Nora Kovacs from INESC TEC joined the European Researchers’ Night at i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde to showcase its work in medical imaging and signal processing. The team had the opportunity to share their research with visitors through interactive activities, games, experiments, and conversations.
Each Year, the European Researchers’ Night take place across Europe and attracted more than 1.5 million people in 460 cities across 25 countries.
The idea is simple: bring researchers and the public together.
Visitors can take part in games, experiments, discussions, demonstrations, and other activities while meeting researchers and learning about the work being done in their communities.
This year, the lab at INESC TEC took part and presented some of its work in medical imaging and signal processing.
Instead of simply showing research results, the team created an interactive experience where visitors could discover what medical imaging research looks like in practice. The team also brought some older equipment and projects back into the spotlight and combined them with newer research, including work from AI4LUNGS.
Inspiring the next generation
"One of the most rewarding parts of events like this is seeing young people engage with science." says Joao Pedrosa, INESC TEC.
A game, an experiment, or a conversation with a researcher can spark curiosity. And sometimes, that curiosity can become the first step towards a future interest in science, technology, engineering, or medicine.
By opening the doors of research institutions and inviting people in, researchers can make their work easier to understand, encourage new questions, and inspire the scientists of tomorrow.
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