Welcome Reception during ESOF 2024

The EuroScience Open Forum 2024 (ESOF2024), which was held from 12 to 15 June in the International Congress Centre in Katowice, brought together leading scientists from Europe and the world under the slogan ‘Life changes science’. The programme included lectures, seminars, debates, workshops, poster presentations, and exhibitions. The conference theme centred around energy transition, sustainable development, cultural identity and societal transformation, scientific excellence, healthy society, and digital transformation. ESOF2024 programme featured several hundreds of speakers from Poland, Europe, and the world who took part in 130 thematic sessions and 90 poster presentations . The conference attracted approximately 3500 participants from 40 different countries . There were also accompanying events: EU Prize for Citizen Science 2024, Green Growth Ahead, and the European Talent Fair – a European job fair for young scientists and people interested in taking up research work. The last day of the conference presented a great opportunity to network outside the ICC and to discover the scientific potential of Silesian universities directly. The ESOF2024 conference was a meeting place, a dynamic platform for knowledge and innovation exchange, which showed that science is ever present in our lives. We often perceive science as abstract and disconnected from our everyday lives. This is why such events as ESOF2024 are so important. They remind us that science is not something foreign to us – it is a field that brings changes to many areas of our lives and responds to the challenges posed by reality. We would like to thank all participants for their active involvement and contribution to the success of the event.

Another day of the ESOF 2024 conference is behind us, filled with inspiring events and activities. Participants had the unique opportunity to take part in the EU TalentFair, addressed to early-stage academics and people interested in taking up research work. The event offered workshops where participants could learn about best practices in open science and develop their skills, e.g., in creating and implementing research data management plans. At the ESOF 2024 conference, participants could listen to inspiring lectures by distinguished keynote speakers: Jara Pascual (CEO of Collabwith), Sir Andy Haines (Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Prof. Sabina Leonelli (University of Exeter, UK), Isto Huvila (Uppsala University, Sweden), Prof. Toma Susi (University of Vienna). The International Congress Center visitors could enjoy an all-day poster session and activities organised by the Horizontal Contact Point Southwestern Poland, which attracted great interest.

On Saturday, June 15, at 1 p.m., you are invited to a free guided tour of a unique exhibition: "Within the City: Urban Art". In recent years, Katowice has made a name for itself with many innovative cultural and musical projects. There are already trails of murals, modernism and Silesian blues in the city. The title of European City of Science has provided an additional impetus for action. Since May 1, in the centre of Katowice, at 13 Staromiejska Street, there has been a temporary exhibition of works by outstanding artists such as: Roy Liechtenstein, Banksy, David LaChapelle and Andy Warhol. You can see prints, posters, photos, sculptures, figures and everyday objects. Venue: Katowice, 13 Staromiejska Street Time: Saturday, June 15, 1:00 p.m. Registration: urbanartkato24@gmail.com 

The opening ceremony began the 11th edition of EuroScience Open Forum – Katowice 2024. The gala, hosted by Łukasz Lamża, PhD – Creative Director of European City of Science, was attended by, among others: Marcin Krupa, PhD, Mayor of Katowice, Prof. Eng. Maria Mrówczyńska, Deputy Minister of Science, Manuel Aleixo, representative of the European Commission for Research and Innovation, Marek Wójcik, Voivode of Silesia, and Anna Kwaśniewska, Chair of the Management Board of Metropolis GZM and Director of the Department of Education and Social Affairs of the Marshal’s Office. Panel ‘How can science transform cities and regions?’ opened the deliberative part of the conference. In addition to the current and former mayors of Katowice, it was attended by Prof. Eng. Jerzy Buzek , Member of the European Parliament.

Watch the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony of the 11th EuroScience Open Forum ESOF2024 Opening Ceremony: Live broadcast