This is the second time Science in the City is being held. How was last year's edition and what are the key principles of Science in the City?

By all means, the first Researchers’ Night – Science in the City last year was a tremendous success, far beyond our most optimistic expectations. Around 12,000 people visited Valletta that night and we are looking to reach more people this year.

I think that one could make two reflections on this. On the one hand it uncovers the willingness of the public to explore the marvels of scientific discovery. On the other, it proves the power of modern methods of science communication in the sphere of informal learning outside the setting of a school.

Our idea was to join scientists and their science with artists and their arts and to draw the attention of the public to the significance and value of scientific research. The other objective is to bring the public in human contact with the scientific researcher.

Last year's edition was remarkable for the interest the event awoke in children and teenagers. Do you think the fun part is attracting would-be scientists and the public in general to learn about science?

Undoubtedly, linking science with the attractive artefacts made by the artists serves to bring down barriers, perceived or real, between the public, in particular young people, and Science in general. Very often we fail to show the excitement and brilliance of working in a real life research laboratory. Our curricula are over-loaded. We tend to teach too much and do not take sufficient time to do it well.  

We look forward to the proposed reform in Science education that should provide a measure of science literacy for all students and eventually the public at large too. The lighter approach ought to increase awareness and attract students.

It also provided a much-needed platform for researchers, scientists and science-based artists to show the public what they are working on. Will it be the same this year?

Yes, in addition to the artistic displays that are accompanied by a collaborating scientist we have a number of activities in which the public will be able to encounter scientists and their science.

One of them is known as Xjenza fuq Galletta that will be held at the King’s Own Band Club in Republic Street. The public may share a galletta while talking to scientists from a number of disciplines. In particular, we hope that young people will be able to meet with the younger set of post-doctoral scientists.

The other is known as Science in the House – The House is, of course, the House of Representatives. We are grateful to the Office of the Speaker and the House Business Committee who once again will host us in the corridors of the Palace in Valletta. The display, made of attractive designs, will explain in a simple understandable manner some of the scientific research being conducted in Malta.   

On a more general level, what is the place of science and research in our economy? What are research and innovation contributing to the national economy?

Bluntly, there is considerable room for expansion.

I am afraid that science does not yet occupy a sufficiently large space in society and the economy to the extent that it should be in order to make significant contributions.   Competitive research programmes have only recently become an integral part of the academic sector and the business sector is almost exclusively occupied by manufacturing subsidiaries of foreign corporations with hardly any innovative research, not even in the pharmaceutical sector. Graduate level studies leading to Masters or doctoral degrees and post-doctoral traineeships with high impact publications, and, new business development are only recent projects though, admittedly, they are growing fast.

A direct link has been made in many countries between the size of the research enterprise and the creation of high quality well paid jobs and Malta should make a stronger effort in this direction, even, one might say stronger than other countries.

In fact, one of our slogans is, Today’s Science is tomorrow’s Jobs.

Can science and research contribute more to the national economy? What are the challenges of research in Malta?

Early stage research adds huge value to the economy.

We lag quite markedly behind because investment is still miniscule. Events such as Science in the City could help to influence the political will to increase support. As a country, we spend less than a fraction of 1% of the Gross Domestic Product on research while the competitive benchmark is 3%.

The goals are quantifiable in the number of doctoral level research scientists, the number of high impact research manuscripts or patents and new science-intensive small enterprise.

It is high time to revise science policy with a well-funded National Research Fund intended solely to support good competitive science with strong external peer review having the goal of creating “new” knowledge. Over the long-term, some could be translated into very high value added enterprises.

We need to create appropriate conditions to hold onto our post-doctoral trainees. They are normally one of the engines of research.

Finally, what is the University doing to increase awareness of science in Malta and to foster more research projects for the future?

The best advert must be our own graduates and the research they conduct with their academic supervisors. Therefore, the University must remain committed to its graduate courses, create opportunities for post-graduate training and a vigorous research effort. Then we must become more visible and reachable.

Researchers’ Night – Science in the City has rapidly become a mighty tool with which to reach a large audience.  There are others, among which, the new magazine Think, produced by the Research Trust and capably edited by Dr Edward Duca. It provides snippets of information and articles on selected studies being undertaken on and off campus.  

The Malta Chamber of Scientists, in the process of being re-launched, is a professional organisation and a learned society that is in close contact with the academic scientific community. It holds monthly meetings, known as Café Scientifique, dedicated for the public.

The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and the National Student Travel Foundation also hold regular events such as expositions for school children and the public.   The MCST shall shortly open an interactive Science Museum at Bighi.

The University has invested substantial amounts of cohesion funds (ERDF and ESF) on facilities for research. They now need to be sustained to become scientifically productive with our young and creative researchers at work.

These are not costs, but investments with long-term returns.