The European researchers' night: An example of community engagement in controlling vector-borne diseases

The European Researchers" Night (ERN) is the largest science outreach event in Europe. The ERN brings research and researchers closer to the public, promotes research projects across Europe and beyond, increases the interest of young people in science and research careers and shows how researchers" work affects our daily lives. On September 27, 2024, the University of Parma participated in the ERN as part of the "heaL thE plAnet"s Future" (LEAF) project, with the involvement of numerous Italian universities and research institutions and funded by the HORIZON-MSCA-Citizens-2022. Our contribution to the event was an interactive seminar titled Mosquitoes and the Monsters Inside Them, which was divided into three parts. The first part provided an introduction on how to distinguish mosquitoes from other insects (dipteri nematoceri), highlighting their main anatomical features and briefly touching upon mosquito ecology. This was followed by an in-depth exploration of the morphological identification of the most common mosquito species in Italy. The second part focused on the potential health risks associated with various pathogens transmitted by vectors (mosquito bites), with particular attention to the Dirofilaria spp. parasite. It also provided guidance on how to protect oneself and pets from mosquito bites, prevent ecological niches, and control mosquitoes during their larval and adult stages. Finally, the third interactive part consisted of quizzes, a coloring book with take-home messages, direct observation of Dirofilaria spp. adult worms and mosquitoes through a stereomicroscope.By providing basic knowledge and practical tips for prevention, this initiative led to empower citizens to protect themselves and their communities from mosquito-borne diseases, allowed the citizen scientist to have opportunities to create spaces to discuss, to communicate and build trust through interaction. These forms of citizen science communication and engagement need openness from all involved, the ability to accommodate the roles that all partners involved in a citizen science activity take, and commitment to the responsibilities and tasks that come with these roles (Hecker & Taddicken, 2022; Salmon et al., 2021). At the same time, acting together in citizen science projects allows researchers to rethink who they are in a scientific endeavor; not only what citizen scientists might be able to learn (Bela et al., 2016; Pandya & Dibner, 2018) but also what we can and have to learn. Hecker & Taddicken, 2022 JCOM 21(01), A07 Salmon et al., 2021 Diversity 13(7), 309 Bela et al., 2016 Conservation Biology 30(5), 990-999 Pandya & Dibner, 2018 doi:10.17226/25183