Families, school groups, and youth groups—many people in Cagliari last night—decided to spend a few hours at the Vetreria di Pirri to participate in the latest edition of Sharper, Researchers' Night, an annual event and meeting point between researchers and the public, organized by the University of Cagliari.
The 2026 edition was a success, with hundreds of visitors flocking in from the very first hours of its opening. There were children accompanied by their parents, especially intrigued by the science experiments or explanations of anatomy and the human body; others wanted to learn about the latest in robotics, electronics, and artificial intelligence; and others wanted to see firsthand how the Carabinieri of the RIS (Italian National Institute of Investigation) and the forensic police operate , to name just a few of the stands inside the Vetreria.
"Following last year's success, we're returning to the former Pirri Glassworks and to the Sharper Night event, which is celebrated throughout Europe," said University of Cagliari Rector Francesco Mola. "We're delighted; the turnout was impressive, with many children, girls, and school groups enthusiastically participating. The event concretely expresses and conveys to the city the commitment of the University and its departments, all of which are represented here, to research. There's a strong desire to share what we do throughout the year, both new and established research, and more generally to convey a love for research and for the University of Cagliari and all the other institutions involved."
And it was precisely this desire to tell stories and open up to the outside world that was palpable as we walked among the stands and spoke with the Unica students.
Over 350 researchers were involved in the six institutional stands, where full explanations of the study programs were provided, in the 34 interactive laboratories where visitors were involved in experiments or technical tests, and in the nine youth spaces created specifically to engage younger audiences. This year, Sharper proved to be a true celebration once again, an unmissable event for those who want to learn and experience firsthand the world of research and the university.
(Unioneonline)
