On Thursday, 15th May the main auditorium of the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) was the scene for an unusual press conference. António Coutinho, IGC director and one of the leading Portuguese scientists, and Álvaro Covões, from Everything is New, organiser of the OptimusAlive08 Festival led the announcement of a novel partnership between the two organisations, for the OptimusAlive08 festival, from 10-12th July, where the IGC will have a stand.
According to Álvaro Covões, this encounter between scentists and festival goers ‘will be sexy’ but extends beyond the actual festival: ‘50cents of each ticket sold will go towards a research fellowship in biodiversity’. This fellowship will be held at the IGC.
António Coutinho explained that ‘To be different is not a right, it is a fact. No two living beings are the same.’ To learn more about the mechanisms underlying this diversity in the living world is the best way to sustain it.
Science, research in the field of biodiversity and the appeal of being a scientist were discussed. And music too! Plenty of music, for all ages, by outstanding bands and performers; from Rage Against the Machine, Bob Dylan, Neil Young.
Journalists and scientists speed-dated: 5min to get to know more about scientists lives, interests, dreams and quirks, both in and outwith the laboratory. This was yest another taster for the main event, to take place in the IGC stand at the OptimusAlive08 festival.
NOTES TO EDITORS
OptimusAlive08 Oeiras-IGC Research Fellowship – Everything is New, promoters of the OptimusAlive08 festival, are sponsoring a research fellowship in biodiversity, in partnership with the IGC. One year funding will be available, for a recent graduate working on a research project to be carried out between the IGC and an overseas centre.
Biodiversity – the variety of life: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Research in all areas of biodiversity are expected to impact positively on the significant loss in biodiversity that has been registered in recent years, and thus contribute to the sustainability of the planet, its inhabitants and societies.
Speed dating with scientists – during the three days of OptimusAlive08 festival, scientists and festival goers will speed-date, as a way of breaking down stereotypes of scientists, in a relaxed and entertaining space. These speed-dates will contribute to dilute existing preconceptions of science and scientists, encourage new careers in science, and envolve the public in direct participation and active contribution to research.