Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø officially named ‘European City of Science’
Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø has been officially named the European City of Science at a ceremony held today (Thursday) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
This prestigious badge of honour will be held for two years as Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø builds towards hosting Europe's largest general scientific conference, ESOF - the EuroScience Open Forum - in summer 2016.
ESOF is a biennial, pan-European convention that is dedicated to scientific research and innovation. It has just completed its 2014 programme in the city of Copenhagen.
The association behind ESOF is EuroScience, a European grassroots organisation of scientists and all those taking an interest in scientific developments. ESOF is the voice of European researchers, across disciplines and countries; promoting dialogue with researchers worldwide.
The 2016 event is expected to bring 4,500 delegates to Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø, whilst generating approximately £8.3m for the economy. Attendees will include global scientific and technology leaders.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, ESOF Champion for 2016, said: "We are very much looking forward to welcoming Europe's greatest scientific gathering. This will bring to Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø outstanding scientists and technology business leaders from all over the world and will open our doors to those at the very first stages of a scientific career.
"The University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø is proud of its scientific heritage but ESOF will help us to look to the future and the ways in which breakthroughs in research can revolutionise the economy and make a real impact on the challenges facing our society."
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø Lord Mayor Susan Cooley, said: "We're thrilled that Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø is now recognised as the European City of Science and will be pulling out all stops to build on the incredible effort that has made ESOF 2014 such a huge success here in Denmark.
"Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø has a long and proud association with scientific achievement from the work of John Dalton on atomic theory to the first programmable computer and the recent discovery of the advanced material, Graphene.
"And with Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø presently making significant progress across numerous exciting areas of discovery including artificial intelligence, smart textiles, and acoustics technology, there has never been a better time for the city to be recognised in this way."
Klaus Bock, ESOF Champion for 2014, said: "ESOF has without doubt become an event that puts the very best of science on the global agenda. One of the truly great successes of ESOF2014 was the very active involvement of so many students and young scientists through initiatives like the European Student Parliament and the Future Academy and that has contributed to a wonderful atmosphere during the event.
"The quality of the scientific debates and presentations has been fantastic and Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø has a lot to live up to; however, with such a rich scientific history we are certain that the city will deliver a brilliant event in 2016."
Ends
Notes for editors
- SOF 2016 will take place across the city from 22-26 July 2016. Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø Central will act as the main ESOF 2016 hub.
- To register interest in attending ESOF 2016 in Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø, visit .
- Follow @ESOF2016 on Twitter for updates.