The 2023 Researchers' Night was successfully held on September 29, with Frederick University participating with live demonstrations and presentation of four research projects conducted by the University’s academic and research staff.

The event included live experiments, competitions, and interactive games. It attracted students from schools across Cyprus as well as the general public.

Under the slogan "Mission: CONNECT," scientists, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs presented their activities and achievements to the community. Visitors had the opportunity to explore more than 60 booths, staffed by hundreds of researchers, and witness interactive experiments using technology, multimedia, and simulations. They also had the chance to use specialized scientific equipment and take part in a variety of activities, games and competitions.

The central theme of this year's event was "European Missions," which focus on developing innovative solutions to address the following global challenges: 1) Climate Change Adaptation, 2) Cancer, 3) Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland Waters, 4) Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, and 5) Soil Health and Food.

Frederick University participated in three thematic areas through four activities:

1. "Natural Hazards: Impacts on Humans and the Environment" under the theme: Climate Change Adaptation
   How well do we understand natural hazards and their impacts? Through a card game, participants had the chance to learn about the myths and realities of natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods and were informed about the ISTOS research project. The ISTOS project, coordinated by Dr. Petros Christou, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Head of the Advanced Infrastructure and Materials Research Group (AIM), aims to enhance scientific excellence and innovation capacity in building and infrastructure safety and disaster risk reduction.
2. "Can We Build with Construction Waste?" under the theme: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
   As the construction industry grows, its environmental impact increases. The DEFEAT research project, led by Dr. Dimitris Nikolaidis, Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, addresses the challenge of managing waste from excavations, construction, and demolitions. The DEFEAT team focuses on the innovative approach of reusing construction waste to produce essential building materials with significant added value, creating strong incentives for reuse.
3. "Listening to Nature" under the theme: Climate Change Adaptation
   Visitors to Researchers' Night had the opportunity to listen to sounds recorded in important ecological areas of Cyprus and learn how these sounds can be analyzed using innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, contributing to the protection of the island’s birdlife. This is the ultimate goal of the BIOMON research project, funded by the European Commission through the HORIZON EUROPE – ERA Fellowships program, which aims to develop new AI methods for monitoring birds in high ecological value rural areas of Cyprus using acoustic sensors. Bird populations are significant indicators of an area's ecological condition, and changes in bird presence and frequency can signal environmental changes, ecosystem quality, and potential threats to their survival.
4. "Is It Good for My Health? Ask the Colors" under the theme: Cancer
   In pharmaceutical science, various natural antioxidant products are used to promote health and well-being. In this activity, presented by the Department of Pharmacy, the effectiveness of these natural products was demonstrated through color changes in test tubes. The audience witnessed the positive effects of antioxidants on health and the detrimental impacts of harmful factors, gaining insight into their importance in diseases like cancer.

The Researchers' Night is organized by the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) in collaboration with key research, innovation, and business entities in Cyprus and is held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides. Similar events take place simultaneously in more than 350 cities across Europe. The European Researchers' Night is an initiative of the European Commission, aiming to highlight the impact of science on citizens' everyday lives in innovative and entertaining ways.