RURALIGHT

RURALIGHT: Illuminating Rural Futures through Research and Curiosity aims to strengthen public engagement with research, development, and innovation (RDI) in small-town/rural contexts under the overarching theme Science in Our Everyday Lives. The project will organize two editions of the European Researchers’ Night (ERN) and a year-round Researchers at Schools (RAS) programme in the Jakobstad region in Ostrobothnia, Finland. It addresses persistent challenges in higher education participation and regional attractiveness by making RDI visible, approachable, and inclusive for children, youth, and families, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups. The objectives are to 1) foster inclusive and accessible engagement with RDI through low-threshold formats; 2) increase awareness and visibility of Novia and Centria Universities of Applied Sciences as key RDI actors in regional development; and 3) promote research careers by strengthening researchers’ communication and public engagement skills. These goals will be achieved through interactive ERN events with hands-on demonstrations, creative workshops, and technology showcases, complemented by approximately 80 school visits under the RAS programme. Activities span STEAM disciplines, including arts, culture, social sustainability, entrepreneurship, technology, cybersecurity, and digitalization. The methodology combines place-based and participatory approaches with inclusion and accessibility measures and multilingual communication. By connecting researchers and citizens in meaningful dialogue, RURALIGHT contributes to the MSCA and Citizens’ expected outcomes: enhancing researcher–citizen interaction, improving communication skills, raising interest in science careers, and increasing awareness of EU-funded research. The project will reach an estimated 15,000 people, engage 1,000 pupils, welcome 500 ERN visitors, and train 60 researchers, creating lasting capacity for inclusive science engagement in rural regions.