Researchers' Night

Come share your love of science at the 6th edition of Researchers’ Night. A rich lineup of activities and talks awaits you at the Biodôme and the Planétarium.

Whether you’re a champion of knowledge or simply curious, this annual Espace pour la vie event is for you. It’s the perfect opportunity to show your support for scientists.

Evening program

Here’s a sneak peek at the 2025 edition of Researchers’ Night. Some activities with limited space will be repeated several times throughout the evening.

Programming (pdf in French only) →(opens in a new tab)

Woodtroc

Demonstrations | 15 to 60 minutes | bilingual activity

Stroll from one stand to another and feed your curiosity. Fifteen teams will share their passion for the research topics they explore.

Cœur sur table

Cœur des sciences UQAM café | 30 minutes | in French only

Inspiring duos, made up of one person involved in research and another engaged in their community, will present collaborative research projects. Their work is directly related to day-to-day life and the major issues facing our society.

An original idea presented by Cœur des sciences UQAM

Bain de forêts

Nighttime ecosystem tour | 30 minutes | bilingual activity

Recharge your batteries before continuing your journey with a calm, contemplative visit to the Biodôme’s tropical and Laurentian forests.

Chantons la résistance

Temporary group mural exhibition | 20 minutes | in French only

Through the research featured in this temporary exhibit, discover songs of political resistance from different eras and contexts. Then, express yourself by adding your own slogan to a mural that takes shape over the course of the evening.

In collaboration with the Canada Research Chair in Music and Politics and with the participation of the artist Romain Boz of the Garbage Beauty collective.

Huis clos pour le futur

Discussion group | 60 minutes | in French only

8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The city is your territory, and you have the power to act! Take part in a group discussion where scientists, artists and the public engage in meaningful exchanges about the complexity of sharing our living space and imagining ways to bring about change.

At 8 p.m., we’re exploring “When space becomes vacant...”

At 9:30 p.m. we’re discussing “Can local action really change things?”

Bed-in scientifique

Featured talks | 30 minutes | in French only

8 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.

A little over 50 years ago, Yoko Ono and John Lennon took up residence at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal to hold their legendary “bed-in.” In this spirit of peaceful protest, a researcher will share her passions and convictions in an intimate “pillow-talk” format.

Hosted by Manal Drissi, with Catherine Potvin(opens in a new tab) at 8 p.m., catherine d’amours(opens in a new tab) at 9 p.m., Stéphanie Pellerin(opens in a new tab) at 10 p.m. and Geneviève Dupéré(opens in a new tab) at 11 p.m.

Histoire du soir pour scientifique rebelle

Immersive microdocumentary | 20 minutes | in French only

8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m.

Scientists bring passion and poetry to their research stories, illustrated with dreamlike 360-degree images. Take a moment to relax and indulge your senses.

With Jonathan Gagné(opens in a new tab) at 8:30 p.m., Amélie Grégoire Taillefer(opens in a new tab) at 9:30 p.m. and Auriane Egal(opens in a new tab) at 10:30 p.m.

An adaptation of the activity Une nuit dans les étoiles originally presented by Acfas in collaboration with Espace pour la vie.

Bibliothèque vivante

One-on-one meetings | 10 minutes | bilingual activity

8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Since access to knowledge is more essential than ever, the living library opens its doors to you for a unique exchange with a scientist. Come “borrow a living book” and discover the journey that shaped a life in research.

History of Researchers’ Night

Inspired by the success of European Researchers’ Night, organized simultaneously in 23 countries and 400 cities in Europe for the past 20 years, Espace pour la vie launched a North American edition of the renowned event in 2019.

Researchers’ Night is a multi-museum initiative of Espace pour la vie, co-organized with the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV). It is supported by a number of collaborating institutions: Acfas, Cœur des sciences UQAM, Musée de la santé Armand-Frappier and Science pour tous.