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Ecsite 2025: A Global Gathering of Science Engagement
June 3 – June 5
Copernicus Science Centre, Warsaw, Poland
From June 3 to 5, 2025, the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, Poland, hosted the Ecsite 2025 Conference, bringing together over 950 science communicators and professionals from more than 50 countries. This annual event, organised by the European Network of Science Centres and Museums (Ecsite), serves as a premier platform for sharing knowledge, exploring emerging trends, and fostering collaborations in science engagement.
SPIN-FERT contributed to the conference through two impactful events: Grand Bazaar and panel “Rethinking the Care of Water and Soil from the Perspective of Female Researchers and Artists”
GRAND BAZAAR
Prof. Dr. hab. Eligio Malusa and Prof. Dr. hab. Joanna Hoffmann presented SPIN-FERT’s interdisciplinary research through immersive, participatory experiences, including compost assessment by smell and imagining soil complexity through music.
The participants were also encouraged to share their personal memories triggered by scents as a part of the artistic Memory Nexus project, connecting science, art, and human experience in a unique, sensory journey.
A short teaser that captures the atmosphere of this unique event:
PANEL: “Rethinking the Care of Water and Soil from the Perspective of Female Researchers and Artists”
This inspiring panel brought together outstanding women from science and the arts to explore the urgent intersections of soil, water, climate change, and the ethics of care.
In a dynamic, interactive dialogue, Prof. Dr. Joanna Hoffmann (FASSF Art & Science Node Berlin / University of the Arts in Poznań), Prof. Dr. Magdalena Frąc (Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences), Dr. Jill Scott (LASER Zurich, Zurich University of the Arts), and Dr. Kristy Deiner (SimplexDNA, Environmental Systems ETH Zurich) explored transdisciplinary approaches to biodiversity, soil and water health, and citizen engagement. Grounded in the frameworks of ecofeminism, degrowth, and biomimicry, the discussion highlighted how ethical and creative collaborations can reshape our understanding of—and response to—pressing environmental challenges.
photo credits: Ecsite / East News / Marille Hahne
Looking Ahead
As Ecsite 2025 concluded, participants left inspired and equipped with new insights and connections to advance science engagement in their respective communities. The success of the conference highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing global challenges through the integration of science, art and societal engagement.
The Tarragona GA marked a pivotal moment for SPIN-FERT, with substantial advancements across all WPs, promising cross-project collaborations, and a reinforced commitment to sustainable soil and substrate management. The host, EURECAT, was acknowledged for their exceptional organisation and hospitality.
