Pint of Science, driven by the Asociación de Divulgación Científica Pint of Science España, celebrates its eleventh edition in Spain this year and will take place simultaneously in 114 cities and towns across Spain and in 27 countries worldwide. The initiative is based on a simple yet powerful format: taking researchers out of traditional academic spaces and encouraging direct dialogue with the public in bars and everyday spaces.

The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lleida will participate actively in this edition through faculty and researchers from the center. Pint of Science was established in Lleida in 2018 by Dr. Marina Laplana Lafaja, professor at the Faculty of Medicine and local coordinator of the festival since its inception. For his part, Dr. Joaquim Egea Navarro, also a professor at the Faculty, will participate with the talk “The Great Journey of Neurons to the Embryo”.

Dr. Marina Laplana highlights the outreach value of the festival: “Pint of Science allows for contact between researchers from the area and the public. Doing it in a bar allows the audience to be in a relaxed environment and start a conversation with the speakers while learning about the latest research results. When we understand things better, we can make better decisions and even prevent some fraud.”

In his talk, Dr. Joaquim Egea will explain how neuronal connections are formed during embryonic development: “In fact, and contrary to the static idea we have of an adult brain, in the embryo, neurons have to move and travel from where they are born to their final destination. Problems or errors during the journey can have catastrophic consequences.”

The Faculty of Medicine reaffirms its commitment to scientific outreach and knowledge transfer to society, promoting the participation of its faculty and students in initiatives that connect research, teaching, and the public.