The interplay between scientists and artists, that characterizes the PERFORM project, is an uncommon example of how cross-disciplinarity is a cultural challenge that triggers innovation in education and generates experiences that go beyond the obvious.

The challenge is to discover the maieutic potential of three different performing arts: clowning, stand-up comedy and busking, that can elicit students visions and ideas, fears and expectations about science and technologies and embed them in performances jointly designed with students, teachers and early career researchers.

This three-way dialogue, facilitated by performers and communicators, is making Responsible Research and Innovation a concrete practice and is explored by Wendy Sadler, funding Director of Science Made Simple, in the main event organized in Rome by Culture Action Europe: Beyond the Obvious conference from 15^th to the 17^th of November at Palazzo delle Esposizioni.

Culture Action Europe is the biggest umbrella organisation representing the cultural sector at the European level, it was set up under the name European Forum for the Arts and Heritage (EFAH) back in 1992 and it has been actively working on European cultural policy issues since then.

Wendy Sadler presents the challenges and current results of the PERFORM project and the experience of Science Made Simple in the session scheduled on the 16^th of November at 15:40 about innovation in education. A promising dialogue focused on how “without education, we cannot speak about culture” as the organizer stressed. A session to focus on how ”understanding and engagement are essential to ensure that culture speaks to a diverse audience, from all backgrounds and of all parts of society. In this way, culture can take the lead, giving rise to creativity and curiosity, reaching outside of the social mainstream, inspiring young people, and exploring new avenues of digital technology. This session explores these issues, along with the themes of inclusivity and citizenship, drawing on the wealth of experience of the speakers”. Together with Wendy Sadler | Science Made Simple the dialogue with the audience will be developed by: Anthony Heidweiller | Operamakers Foundation; Raluca Iacob | Cubic Metre; Tommaso Salaroli | Scomodo, and moderated by Lars Ebert | ELIA.

The afternoon will end with a science and art aperitivo organized by the Bristish Council Italy. Uncommon dialogues between artists and scientists will provoke the audience’s minds to reflect on the future innovation that the collaboration between cultural fields can generate. What does happen when we step outside of our comfort zones in pursuit of innovation, creativity and reaching new audiences? The mixed panel of artists and scientists will demonstrate the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration as well as shedding a light on the challenges that arise. The informal session is hosted by Leonardo Alfonsi, Director, at Psiquadro and Linda di Pietro, President, RENA and involve a diverse set of speakers: Rachele Ceccarini, Biotechnologist (Famelab participant); Pele Cox, Poet, Artist in residence at British School at Rome; Luca Perri, Astrophysicist (Famelab winner 2015); Wendy Sadler, Director, science made simple; Rajka Jurdana Sepic, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Rijeka University.

The “Uncommon dialogues? Arts meets science” event is Organized by: Austrian Cultural Forum Rome, British Council, Bulgarian Cultural Center, Culture Action Europe, Embassy of Croatia, Embassy of Malta, Embassy of Slovenia and the European Commission Representation in Italy. Promoted by: Assessorato alla Crescita culturale, Roma Capitale. In collaboration with: Azienda Speciale Palaexpo