LA NOTTE EUROPEA DELLE RICERCATRICI E DEI RICERCATORI TORNA IL 26E IL 27 SETTEMBRE 2025 MEET me TONIGHT Logo

From desertification to regeneration: SoilTribes at MEETmeTonight 2025

On 26 and 27 September 2025, Milan will once again host MEETmeTonight, the city’s leading science outreach festival organized on the occasion of the European Researchers’ Night. The event brings together researchers, innovators, and citizens for two days of dialogue and discovery.

This year, the beating heart of the festival will be its five thematic Pavilions, inspired by the missions of the European Horizon Europe programme. On Saturday, 27 September, more than 25 stands will be open to the public, showcasing cutting-edge research on some of the European Union’s most pressing challenges, from the fight against cancer to the climate crisis.

 

Spotlight on SoilTribes

Among the standout participants will be our project, represented by Davide Cerati and Caterina Taglietti of the Politecnico di Milano. The exhibition room will offer an immersive journey titled “From land degradation to restoration.” Visitors will experience how technology and agroecology combine to restore degraded landscapes through:

  • Satellite and drone monitoring tools paired with nature-based solutions (NBS).
    Case study sited in Camp Altiplano, Murcia Region (Spain)
  • A 3D-printed model showcasing the morphology of soil sites.
  • An engaging VR experience with Meta Quest2, guiding participants through the transition from desertification to regeneration.
  • A visual timeline of agroforestry successions, highlighting ecological recovery.

 

Science meets society

Beyond SOILTRIBES, MEETmeTonight will feature an array of engaging formats designed to connect the public with researchers:

Talks: short presentations where researchers explain their work in accessible terms.

Workshops: hands-on experiments and labs for children, youth, and adults to experience the scientific method firsthand.

Speed Dates: one-on-one informal meetings with PhD students to learn about their studies.

EU Corner: a dedicated space to discover European-funded projects.

Performances: artistic and scientific shows offering new perspectives on research.

 

Why it matters

By showcasing how soil can be transformed from degradation to regeneration, SoilTribes will not only raise awareness but also inspire practical solutions to combat one of today’s greatest environmental challenges.