On September 27, 2024, the EDGES project took part in the European Researchers’ Night at the Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência in Lisbon. This annual Europe-wide event celebrates science, innovation, and research by bringing researchers and the public together in dynamic, interactive ways. This year, EDGES made an impact by highlighting the contributions of Indigenous scholars from across the Americas and Europe.
The event in Lisbon featured the project coordinator, Pablo Ibáñez Bonillo, alongside researchers Felipe Oliveira and Karine Mazarão. Anthropologist José Carlos Almeida Cruz, from the Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Brazil, also attended, contributing with the activity titled “The BAHSÉ AHPOSE RITUAL”. José Carlos is currently at the Instituto de Ciências Sociais da Universidade de Lisboa (ICS-UL), where he is developing his research in partnership with the EDGES project. Additionally, Karl Heinz Arenz, team leader of the EDGES project at the Universidade do Pará, Brazil, also participated, offering significant contributions to the discussions with the public.
A special highlight of the event was a video with the part of ten Indigenous researchers, who brought their voices, knowledge, and lived experiences into academic and public dialogue. Their participation helped spotlight the importance of including Indigenous perspectives in research spaces and university life.
Another key moment was the “Science Café” session, where researchers Ângela Domingues (ICS – ULisboa) and Maria Manuel Torrão explored “The Philosophical Journey of Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira (1783–1792) and the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon.” This session invited participants to reflect on the legacies of scientific expeditions during colonial Brazil and their enduring impact on Indigenous communities.
The EDGES project used the occasion to emphasize the value of Indigenous knowledges within academia, advocating for intercultural dialogue as a vital component of scientific and educational enrichment. The vibrant exchange between Indigenous researchers and the public underscored the potential of inclusive research to reshape how science is practiced and understood in Europe.
A video from the event captures the presence and participation of these Indigenous scholars, offering a glimpse into their engagements with the public and the energy of the night.
The EDGES team extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make this experience meaningful. Together, we continue to reimagine knowledge-making through collaboration, respect, and diversity.
