Annual International Conference of the European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA) 2025

The Annual International Conference of the European Science Engagement Association #EUSEA2025 was held at the Elder Museum of Science and Technology in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 14-15 May, organised by La Palma Research Centre (LPRC), in collaboration with the Association (EUSEA) and sponsored by the Gran Canaria Convention Bureau. The event was part of the 25th anniversary of the Museum. 

EUSEA2025 gathered more than 130 participants from 48 countries, including the most prestigious universities in Europe, museums, research centres, representatives of municipalities and governments, and international organisations and initiatives in the field of scientific communication, dissemination and culture. The Conference brought together diversity and fostered dialogue between the natural sciences, technology, social sciences, arts and humanities. 

The aim of this yearly event is to build a bridge between research, the development of pioneering projects and artistic exhibitions, unique programmes and citizen science initiatives. This international space, which in 2025 landed in Gran Canaria, serves to showcase the latest challenges, trends and advances in the field of science communication and citizen participation in relation to science from all its aspects.   

The EUSEA25 Conference had the collaboration of the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park, the Cenobio de Valerón, the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden and the Poema del Mar Aquarium. All of them worked closely with LPRC to offer a diverse and insightful programme of pre-activities for registered participants to broaden their view and knowledge of the island. 

In this edition, and according to the aims of the hosts (LPRC), who are members of the Association since 2018, participants had the opportunity to explore issues in the context of an Outermost Region of the European Union, the Canary Islands. This provided a unique context to better understand the experiences and broaden the perspectives of this sector in islands and remote territories. In addition, the theme of this edition, “Crossing oceans, raising sails. Navigating public engagement in turbulent times”, was chosen in connection to the particular geography of these areas, and sought to emphasise the importance of bringing together knowledge from all corners of Europe to build more resilient societies in times of social and environmental change, global crisis and unexpected events that require cooperation and innovation. 

All in all, this has been an incredibly rewarding experience for LPRC, proving that an independent research centre located in one of the EU’s Outermost Regions can attract so much international talent and knowledge, thus broadening the horizons of the Macaronesia region in science, outreach and citizen engagement. Special acknowledgements to the work and contributions of the team involved throughout this year-long preparation process: Ariadna Ortega, Raquel Pino, Helena Robert i Campos, Gabriela Torrealba, and, the Managing Director, Adrienn Cseko. Overall, participants have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction with this year’s Conference, which would not have been possible without the active involvement of the EUSEA Executive Office and Board, to whom LPRC extends its gratitude for counting on us. The boat of public engagement has now set sails towards Luxemburg for EUSEA 2026!