8 October from 18:00 – 23:00
Higher Technical School of Architecture and Carlota Braun Bar
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Objectives:
—Present the Rock Your Research project to the Granada community and establish the local network of the European consortium
—Foster transdisciplinary dialogue between artists, researchers, and citizens in an informal, accessible environment
—Identify social concerns and interests from the citizen perspective to inform future research and artistic collaboration
—Create a neutral, attractive space outside traditional academic settings to promote inclusion and participation of diverse audiences
—Establish initial connections for future collaborative projects between the scientific and artistic communities
—Demonstrate the social value of knowledge valorization through art-science collaboration
—Position the initiative within Granada 2031 European Capital of Culture candidacy framework
The event brought together researchers, artists, students, and external participants from the local community to explore how science, art, and society can interact in meaningful ways.
The main talks on Art, Science and Society set the tone for the evening, reflecting on the role of artistic practices in making scientific knowledge more accessible, emotional, and socially relevant. Speakers explored how art and science can act as accomplices in addressing complex questions and engaging broader audiences beyond academia. A diverse programme of short contributions followed, offering multiple perspectives on how research can be translated through sound, visuals, storytelling, and performance. The audience played an active role through open discussion moments, sharing interests and ideas that helped spark potential future collaborations.
- Sara Armada Díaz – Mapear, sonar y transformar Granada (Mapping, Sounding, and Transforming Granada)
- Francisco Baena – Una llamada virtual desde el expresionismo abstracto (A Virtual Call from Abstract Expressionism)
- Alfonso Peres Osia – La divulgación científica en los museos del siglo XXI (Science Communication in 21st-Century Museums)
- Juan Manuel Melchor Rodríguez – This maths sound familiar
- Ana Tamayo – Al manicomio por lavarse las manos (To the Asylum for Washing One’s Hands)
- Enrique Bonet & Joaquín López Cruces – El otro mundo: otros cómics, otras formas de contar (The Other World: Other Comics, Other Ways of Storytelling)
- Belén de Rueda Villén & Carlos López – SaludArte: Neurociencia de la emoción
- Francisco Luis Benítez Martínez – Resonancia artificial: resucitar a Val del Omar
- Fanny Tania Añaños Bedriñana – Transforming Migration by Arts
- Miriam Fernández Santiago – Armonías Neoapolíneas
- Víctor Herrero Solana – El arte de visualizar la ciencia
The event concluded with live music performances that embodied the spirit of Rock Your Research at Carlota Braun Bar. Musical acts such as Rena & Eihar, Barbers Science, Marrón Rosé, and Dolce Far Niente demonstrated how music and performance can communicate scientific ideas, stimulate curiosity, and create an inclusive and engaging atmosphere for dialogue between disciplines and communities.
Quotes that Stuck With Us
Sara Cazzoli:
“The Rock Café created a unique space where I could connect my astrophysics research with artistic expression. It reminded me that science and art are both ways of understanding and representing the world.”
Enrique Bonet:
“As a comic artist, I’ve always worked in isolation. This event showed me the potential for collaboration with researchers. I left with three new project ideas!”
Ana Tamayo:
“I came as a curious citizen and left feeling like I could contribute to real research projects. The informal atmosphere at Carlota Braun made science feel accessible.”
Miriam Fernández Santiago:
“The combination of serious talks and live music was brilliant. It showed that knowledge valorization doesn’t have to be boring—it can be fun and engaging.”
Alfonso Peres Osia:
“As a cultural manager, I see huge potential in these Rock Cafés. They break down the barriers between academia and society in a way traditional events can’t.”
Member of Barbers Science:
“Performing science communication through barbershop singing was surreal! The audience loved it, and it proved that even complex concepts like statistical significance can be made entertaining.”
Who Came, What Emerged
The first Rock it Café in Granada successfully achieved its goal of creating a transdisciplinary space for dialogue between science, art, and citizenship. With over 80 participants from diverse backgrounds, the event established a strong foundation for the Rock Your Research network in Spain.
The two-part format proved highly effective: the academic setting at ETSA facilitated formal presentations and knowledge sharing through 14 micro-talks covering topics from astrophysics to comic art, while the informal networking at Carlota Braun created genuine connections between researchers, artists, and citizens. The inclusion of live music performances—ranging from acoustic sets to science communication through barbershop singing—demonstrated innovative ways to bridge artistic expression and scientific outreach.
The event positioned Granada as a pioneer in the European Rock Your Research initiative and strengthened connections with the Granada 2031 European Capital of Culture candidacy. Participants expressed strong interest in future collaborations, with concrete project ideas emerging during the networking session. The Café successfully demonstrated that informal, accessible spaces outside traditional academic settings can foster meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue and social innovation.
