UNIVERSITA PER STRANIERI DI SIENA

Their core work

The University for Foreigners of Siena is an Italian public university specializing in teaching and research related to Italian language, culture, and intercultural communication. Within H2020, their involvement has been exclusively in the European Researchers' Night initiative (BRIGHT and BRIGHT-NIGHT), organizing public engagement events that bring research closer to citizens through activities like urban trekking paths and hands-on demonstrations. Their contribution centers on science communication and public awareness, drawing on their expertise in language, culture, and outreach to diverse audiences.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 participation (2016-2018), the university focused on researcher awareness campaigns centered on health, cultural heritage, and new technologies, using formats like research urban trekking paths. By 2020, the thematic scope broadened significantly to include sustainability, environment, climate, poverty, inclusiveness, and quality of life — reflecting the EU's growing emphasis on the Green Deal and social impact. The shift suggests a move from culture-focused public engagement toward wider societal challenge communication.

They are expanding from culture-centered science communication toward broader sustainability and social inclusion themes, aligning with current EU policy priorities.

How they like to work

The university has participated exclusively as a partner, never as a coordinator, across all three projects. With only 6 unique consortium partners in a single country, they appear to operate within a stable regional network — likely the Tuscan university consortium that jointly organizes the BRIGHT Researchers' Night. This suggests a reliable but locally embedded partner rather than a wide-reaching networker.

Their network is compact: 6 partners within a single country (Italy), consistent with a regional consortium of Tuscan universities collaborating on the annual European Researchers' Night. No evidence of international partnership diversity in H2020.

What sets them apart

As a university specializing in foreign students and intercultural communication, they bring a distinct ability to communicate research topics across language and cultural barriers — a valuable skill for public engagement events targeting diverse audiences. Their niche in Italian-language education and cultural mediation makes them a natural partner for dissemination activities aimed at non-specialist or multilingual audiences. However, their H2020 footprint is limited to science communication, not technical research.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BRIGHT (2018)
  Their largest funded project (EUR 12,500), themed around the European Year of Cultural Heritage with expanded scope into food, climate, and research careers.
• BRIGHT-NIGHT
  Most recent project (2020-2021) showing thematic evolution toward sustainability, inclusiveness, and everyday-life relevance of research.