Breaking Down the Barriers to Academia with Café Scientifique

Scientific research and academia can sometimes seem like mysterious professions that many of us don’t fully understand. Café Scientifique aims to change that. This worldwide initiative originated in the United Kingdom to give people from all walks of life the opportunity to connect with scientists and researchers and discover more about their work.

افتُتح المقهى العلمي “كافيه سيانتيفيك” في الكويت كجزء من شهر العلوم في الكويت في ديسمبر 2022. ونظمت الجلسات مريم الجوعان، مسؤول برنامج بناء القدرات في Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.

“Everyone is welcome, regardless of their career path or educational level,” said Aljoaan. Whether that’s a high-school student interested in a specific topic, or an interested member of the public who simply wants to discover more about science, the goal is to encourage and inspire.

The location depends on campus activities, said Aljoaan, but sessions are always held in public spaces, and always involve plenty of coffee. “We keep sessions between 20 and 25 people, so everyone can feel involved,” she said. The goal is to run Café Scientifique sessions every three to four months, and these are advertised both on social media and through the mailing list. “If people are interested in attending, all they need to do is scan a code to register,” said Aljoaan.

Initial sessions have proved a huge success, with associate professor Entesar Al-Hetlani being the first scientist invited to participate in this initiative. Based in the Department of Chemistry at Kuwait University, Al-Hetlani’s current research into analytical and forensic chemistry has been funded thanks to an international collaboration between KFAS and the University of Albany. “I wouldn’t have achieved what I have without the help of KFAS,” said Al-Hetlani, who liked the concept of Café Scientifique as a way to connect and network with the public informally.

“The experience was very enjoyable and I still think about it to this day,” she said. Al-Hetlani added that the atmosphere was fantastic, and a great mix of people attended her session, from former students and their families, to younger high school students. “I would definitely encourage other scientists to get involved in Café Scientifique,” she said.

Café Scientifique sessions feature sponsored researchers who are recipients of a KFAS grant and will be run up to four times a year.

By Emma Stenhouse