Since 2023, the Faculty of Science at the University of Geneva has hosted a new structure dedicated to science outreach: the Pharmascope. Initiated by the Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Pharmascope’s mission is to introduce the public—especially young people—to the many facets of medicine and the sciences behind it.

Through a series of interactive and educational workshops, the Pharmascope offers an immersive experience into the world of medicines, from discovery to use and disposal. These activities present current scientific topics, while sparking curiosity and fostering a better understanding of public health issues.

Among the workshops currently offered:

• DrugDesign (in collaboration with the SIB – Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics): a dive into molecular modeling to understand how researchers design new drugs using computational tools.
• Discovering a Cancer Drug: a workshop that retraces the major steps of pharmaceutical research, from identifying a biological target to developing a therapeutic molecule.
• Drug Development, Production, and Use: an exploration of the industrial and regulatory processes that ensure treatment effectiveness and safety, along with guidance on proper medication use.

Additional workshops will soon enrich the Pharmascope’s offerings:

• Drug Disposal: raising awareness about the environmental impacts of pharmaceutical waste and promoting best practices for safe disposal.
• Antibiotic Resistance: highlighting major public health challenges related to the misuse of antibiotics and the rise of resistant bacteria.

The Pharmascope is also linked to the HUG’s Pharmamobile project: using a dedicated vehicle, it travels to schools. It also takes part in special events such as Futur en tous genres Day, TecDays, and the International Exhibition of Inventions. This flexibility allows the Pharmascope to engage with new audiences beyond the university setting and to actively contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge in diverse contexts.

The Pharmascope is primarily aimed at upper secondary school students, but also welcomes teachers, families, and anyone curious to better understand the central role of Pharmaceutical Sciences in our society. The workshops are led by passionate scientists and science communicators, either at the University or directly in partner schools. Currently, it travels within the cantons of Geneva and Vaud.

Beyond its awareness-raising role, the Pharmascope also helps to promote training and careers in Pharmaceutical Sciences by inspiring new vocations and strengthening ties between research, education, and society. It also provides members of the academic community—researchers, teachers, students—with a concrete opportunity to get involved in outreach activities directly connected to their research themes.

During the 2024–2025 school year, the Pharmascope conducted 37 workshops, reaching 592 students.

The Pharmascope thus embodies a dynamic and socially engaged vision of science, open to the world and rooted in the values of sharing, rigor, and curiosity. It reflects the commitment of the Faculty of Science and the Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences to share their expertise beyond the University walls. The Pharmascope is an integral part of the Scienscope, offering a rich, interdisciplinary science outreach experience.

For more information: https://scienscope.unige.ch/pharmascope/