Sharing researchers’ passion for evolving responsibilities
Researchers are key actors in finding sustainable solutions to global challenges. With their work they are committed to pursue new discoveries that can make a difference in the quality of life for everyone. These commitment and passion lead them to face constantly evolving responsibilities with an impact on everyone’s life.  SHARPER (SHaring Researchers’ Passion for Evolving Responsibilities) aims to present to all citizens the researchers’ commitment for their increasingly important social role. By making the researchers’ job a shared cultural experience SHARPER will let citizens and researchers be part of the same endeavor for a better world. To synthesize this shared global effort SHARPER project will focus on topics related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set as Agenda 2030 by United Nations and on the key role that researchers play on different challenges defined by the SDGs. SHARPER will involve 12 cities in 8 regions (Ancona, Cagliari, Catania, L’Aquila, Macerata, Nuoro, Palermo, Pavia, Perugia, Terni, Torino, Trieste) and over 110 institutions. It will consolidate and innovate the experience developed over the last 7 years at regional and national level effectively triggering researchers engagement processes in many cities across Italy. SHARPER also strengthen the collaboration with other Researchers Nights in Europe (8 partners projects in 7 countries) to jointly develop new communication formats, common strategies on impact assessment and a brand new mobility scheme for young researchers and PhD students among European Researchers’ Nights to share experiences and enhance communication and public engagement skills. SHARPER project also includes a strong collaboration with other Nights in Italy to share ideas, impact criteria, communication and awareness actions among which the first national joint pre-event involving the Italian ERNs.