Night of Science: Celebrating Failures in Science

 The annual “Night of Science” is a great event that brings together researchers from the UNR faculty. Everyone is invited to join us for inspiring, cross-disciplinary dialogue and learning.  

Science is often presented as a story of breakthroughs, discoveries, and success. Yet behind every published paper, funded project, or academic appointment are many unsuccessful experiments, rejected manuscripts, unfunded grant proposals, or missed career opportunities. These experiences are not exceptions—they are an integral part of scientific research and academic life.

At this Night of Science on "Celebrating Failures in Science," we want to create space for conversations about these less visible aspects of a scientific career. By sharing stories and experiences of setbacks, resilience, and the lessons learned along the way, our goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding failure. In hindsight, failure is often recognised as a necessary step towards success.  

We invite our PhD candidates to share their experiences and perspectives in 5-min presentations, and help us foster a more open, supportive, and realistic view of what it means to do science: How did you cope with a failed experiment, a rejected paper, or a denied funding?

After the presentations, a panel consisting of professors and postdocs will discuss and reflect on their own journeys, before inviting the audience to join the discussion.

Programme

18:00 - 18:20  Welcome by Dr. Haifa Debouk (Managing Director of the Graduate School)

                        Introduction by Prof. Peter Biedermann (Graduate School board member)

18:20 - 19:00  Flashlight presentations by PhD candidates of the faculty (5 min each)     

19:00 - 19:45  Panel Discussion                             

19.45 - 19:55  Wrap up & Closing Round

20:00 - 21:30  Science Lounge with drinks and snacks in the foyer of the Archeological Collection.

PhD candidates! please read the CALL for a flashlight presentation and register  here 

if you want to share your story with us. We will have a maximum of five presenters.