Skip to main content

AI in Ecology and a Journey into 4D: HUN-REN Centres Prepare for the Hungarian Science Festival

News

A meeting on the history of astronomy, a conference on the forefront of evolutionary research, a guided tour of a hardware history exhibition, a discussion on climate awareness, and numerous fascinating lectures—once again this year, HUN-REN research institutes are preparing a wide range of exciting events for the Hungarian Science Festival.

The aim of this year’s series of events is to showcase the latest scientific achievements in an authentic way and to attract young people to careers in research. The twenty-first edition will take place from 4 to 30 November 2024 under the theme ‘Scientific Advice in the Service of Society.’

Artificial intelligence

AI is a central theme in this year's programme, with several events organised by HUN-REN institutions focusing on the topic. For example, the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research will discuss AI applications in ecology and nature conservation in Hungary, while the HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities will explore its role in literary studies. Additionally, the HUN-REN Research Centre for Linguistics will highlight the potential of speech-based AI technologies developed by Hungarian researchers.

Research achievements

University students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers working at the HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research will discuss their research topics, including why they chose them and what results they expect. The HUN-REN Centre for Economic and Regional Studies will host a presentation entitled 'Centralised Reindustrialisation and Transforming Economic Spatial Structure in Post-2015 Hungary,' which will not only discuss the results but also related issues and implications. The HUN-REN Rényi Institute invites visitors to explore the fourth dimension, and one of its lecture series will also cover quantum computers.

Youth and research

The HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine will host an open day for secondary school students, while the HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities will organise another part of its interview series, My Profession: Researcher, where renowned researchers will be asked about their careers, experiences, fields of research, and vocation.

Of course, there will also be numerous lectures, conferences, and panel discussions on various topics in economics, astronomy and space science, informatics, linguistics, and archaeology. Detailed programmes can be found on the HUN-REN website and on the pages of the individual institutes.

Renewing HUN-REN

The modernising HUN-REN aims to become one of the most effective research organisations in Europe. The new leadership of HUN-REN seeks to establish a well-funded, open research institution system focused on social and economic issues, which can make a significant contribution to Hungary's social and economic success.

Researchers within the HUN-REN network can expect a long-term, consistent, value-driven, and performance-based funding system, mutually reinforcing structure and operation, nationally and internationally competitive salaries, as well as a predictable research career in an organisation with a strong entrepreneurial and collaborative mindset, administrative and procurement services to support researchers, and a significant emphasis on relationships beyond academia.