This September, Dr Federico Dattila based at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) has been making the rounds presenting FlowPhotoChem research to various public audiences in an array of interesting fora.

His public talk entitled “Diòxid de carboni, l'or negre del segle XXI” was attended by thirty people as part of the European Researchers’ Night (Nit Europea de la Recerca a Tarragona) on September 17th at the Cal Massó, Reus, Tarragona, Spain. Watch Federico's talk on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/d6NfSE_7PA0 

Also, Federico also facilitated a workshop for children this month, also part of the European Researchers' Night. The “Fruites i hortalisses màgiques” (Magical fruits and vegetables) workshop was held on September 24th and approximately a hundred people attended it in Plaça Corsini, Tarragona. 

Federico says: "I do scientific outreach first of all because I love it. In the end, we humans are social animals and we like seeing our work recognized by peers. Secondly, I feel a moral obligation. A friend of mine, Enrico, owns a bakery and every time a customer enters his shop, he is very kind in providing information about ingredients, allergens, etc. It's his duty to inform the customers about the products. So why should we, the scientists, be different and not explain our work to our ultimate customers, the taxpayers?

I've heard stories like 'We cannot do outreach because our work is too difficult for normal people.' And the same people have never talked to a baker or a construction worker to realize how physically and mentally challenging their work can be as well."