European Researchers' Night in Groningen 2025

At 26th of September Forum Groningen transforms into the ultimate science festival with 100 activities

What is the European Researchers’ Night?

The European Researchers’ Night is an annual event that takes place in hundreds of cities across Europe. The goal: to make science accessible to a wide audience and to show how important research is for our society.

In Groningen, the festival is organized by Forum Groningen in collaboration with the University of Groningen (RUG) and various partners. This year, the overarching theme is: Create Your Own Future. Visitors are invited to think together with researchers and artists about solutions for today's and tomorrow’s challenges. This makes the event not only educational but also timely and interactive.

Forum Groningen as the stage for a science spectacle

The Forum in the heart of Groningen has long been a meeting place where culture, knowledge, and innovation come together. With its modern architecture, impressive staircases, and numerous spaces, it is the perfect location for a festival of this scale.

During the Researchers’ Night, the building is used to its full extent. Activities take place on every floor: from workshops and interactive installations to theater and live music. The Forum thus transforms into a true science maze, where you can explore various disciplines and themes.

From beats to biology: program highlights

The 2025 program is richer and more diverse than ever. Here are some highlights:

• Let the Body Move – where science and music meet: DJ Elizabeth Falade takes visitors on a musical journey through Afrobeat, R&B, Amapiano, and UK Garage. During this workshop, you’ll discover how rhythm, technology, and tradition reinforce one another.
• Modern Bird Nests – a humorous science lecture: Biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra shows how birds in our cities use the most unusual materials to build nests – from underwear to cocaine envelopes.

• App-ocalypse – why apps are irresistible: Experts explore why platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp are so popular and why alternatives often fail to catch on.
• ACT UP! Theatre for Change: Climate politics and societal themes become tangible in this interactive theater session through play and improvisation.
• Vibrating Socks – technology in motion: An installation showing how vibrating socks can literally help people with Parkinson's get moving again.
• Katie Koss – music with a personal story: Indie pop artist Katie Koss delivers a performance centered on identity and self-love.
• Book launch: Queer and in Care: A book that gives a voice to LGBTQIA+ youth in care, emphasizing inclusion and solidarity.

Theme 2025: Create Your Own Future

This year’s theme – Create Your Own Future – symbolizes the role that science can play in shaping the future. Visitors are not just spectators but participants. Researchers will demonstrate how their work directly impacts key societal themes, such as:

• Health and aging: How can we ensure more healthy years of life?
• Digitalization and AI: What opportunities and risks does artificial intelligence bring?
• Sustainability and climate: What are the solutions to the energy and climate crisis?
• Social inclusion: How do we build a fair society together?

The festival invites you to think along and actively become part of the change.

Partners and organizers

The program is curated by the four Schools for Science and Society at the University of Groningen (RUG), together with Forum Groningen and campaign agency BKB. The four RUG schools focus on societal themes:

• Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health: more healthy years
• Jantina Tammes School of Digital Society, Technology and AI: digitalization and technology
• Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development: sustainable society
• Wubbo Ockels School for Energy and Climate: energy and climate

Thanks to this collaboration, a broad and diverse program is created, highlighting science from different perspectives.

The event is also co-funded by the European Commission (Horizon Europe program) and the Agreement of Groningen.

Why you don’t want to miss this

The European Researchers’ Night is much more than a series of lectures or workshops. It’s a festival of ideas, creativity, and connection. Where else can you experience music, theatre, interactive installations, and talk with researchers working on tomorrow’s solutions – all in one evening?

Whether you're curious about artificial intelligence, sustainability, music culture, or simply looking for an inspiring night out: this festival offers it all.

One of the biggest science events in the Netherlands

With 100 program components, an afternoon especially for students, and an evening full of diversity, the European Researchers' Night 2025 in Groningen will be one of the largest science events in the Netherlands.

Forum Groningen provides the perfect setting for this unique edition, where science, culture, and society come together. Under the motto Create Your Own Future, visitors are encouraged to actively think about the world of tomorrow.

Will you be there on September 26? View the full program of the European Researchers' Night 2025.  Let yourself be surprised by the power of curiosity, research, and creativity.