BlueNIGHTs : bringing a touch of blue in the EU researchers' nights for a more sustainable use of the ocean

Abstract

The main objective of BlueNIGHTs was to plant 'blue' seeds across Europe to improve Ocean Literacy (OL) and grow a new network of European Researchers' Nights (ERN s) focused on Ocean issues and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative, specifically targeting SDG 14, aligns with the United Nations (UN) Decade for Ocean Science, the EU StarfishMission and major European initiatives dedicated to OL, such as EU4Ocean. Our aim was to show European citizens the different facets and faces involved in marine research by organising a series of interconnected ERNs. BlueNIGHTs brought together researchers from different European countries who collectively address Ocean challenges and solutions to demonstrate their deep understanding of the complexity of human-Ocean interaction. In this chapter, we illustrate the process of developing such a project, from conception to partnership building and work package development. We believe that sharing this experience is essential because it fosters fruitful interactions between the scientific community and society, connecting researchers with pupils and teachers and bringing Ocean issues to local communities, both near and far from the sea.