When extremes become the norm: Bogdan Antonescu takes the stage at the University of Bucharest

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the University of Bucharest (UB) is organizing the second edition of its conference series “Science on the Open Stage”, featuring Bogdan Antonescu, a faculty member of UB’s Faculty of Physics and a researcher in atmospheric physics and extreme weather phenomena.

He will deliver the lecture “The Science of Extremes: Romania, Between Tornadoes and Heatwaves”, offering the public an exploration of the mechanisms behind the most intense weather events and how climate change is influencing their frequency and intensity.

The conference is organized by the University of Bucharest, through its Communication and Public Relations Department, in collaboration with the SciPublic Forum Association. It will take place in the “Media” Hall of the “I. L. Caragiale” National Theatre in Bucharest, starting at 6:00 PM.

Participation is free of charge, subject to seat availability, and requires prior reservation. The event is open to the general public.

In a context where the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible, the conference offers a perspective on climate extremes – a reality in which intense meteorological phenomena, from severe storms and tornadoes to heatwaves, are becoming more frequent and more intense.

Starting from introductory concepts in atmospheric dynamics, the presentation will explore how these phenomena form, how they are influenced by climate change, and what impact they have on society. Special emphasis will be placed on two types of events at opposite ends of this spectrum: tornadoes – rare but often underestimated in terms of risk—and heatwaves—among the most dangerous climate phenomena, yet still insufficiently recognized.

The speaker will address key questions for today’s society: How is Romania’s climate changing? What mechanisms drive extreme weather events? And, most importantly, what role can scientific data play in understanding and anticipating these transformations?

The conference will highlight the role of scientific research in understanding these processes and will discuss ways in which the general public can contribute to data collection and knowledge development in this field through citizen science initiatives.

The event will be moderated by Ada Roseti, a science communication expert, founder of the SciPublic Forum Association, and initiator of the “Games of Science” competition.

Bogdan Antonescu is a faculty member at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Bucharest and a researcher in atmospheric physics, specializing in extreme weather phenomena, particularly severe storms and tornadoes. His scientific work focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind these events and assessing the impact of climate change on their frequency and intensity, with a particular interest in Eastern Europe and Romania.

Throughout his career, he has been involved in national and international research projects and has collaborated with leading institutions in atmospheric sciences. His recent research, conducted alongside doctoral students and collaborators, contributes to building a solid scientific foundation for understanding climate risks and supporting climate adaptation policies.

UB conference series: “Science on the Open Stage”

The “Science on the Open Stage” conference series is organized by the University of Bucharest’s Communication and Public Relations Department in collaboration with the SciPublic Forum Association. Its aim is to break down traditional barriers between academia and the general public by creating a space where specialists from various fields can discuss current topics.

The invited speakers are professors, researchers, and prominent figures from different scientific domains. By encouraging an authentic connection between the academic community and the public, the series not only “explains” science but presents it as a spectacle of knowledge, where fundamental aspects of reality are examined through solid arguments and the audience is invited to actively participate in the discussion.

The event follows a dynamic format designed to facilitate both understanding and meaningful dialogue with the audience.

The conference will begin with a roughly 20-minute lecture introducing key concepts, followed by a brief 5-minute Q&A session to reinforce the main ideas. Next, the speaker will present a 15-minute applied segment illustrating the concepts through concrete examples, case studies, or real-life situations. The event will conclude with an extended Q&A session of approximately 40 minutes, encouraging active audience participation and deeper exploration of topics of interest.

The “Science on the Open Stage” series reaffirms the University of Bucharest’s commitment to making high-quality science accessible to the public, as well as to educating, inspiring, and connecting people in Romania. It comes at a time when discussions about the role of science in society – from global challenges such as climate change and public health to critical thinking and democracy—are essential for shaping informed and responsible citizens.

To support this mission, the University of Bucharest has launched an extensive Science Communication Program aimed at promoting the research activity of its academic community and facilitating dialogue between researchers and the public.

Among its most recent initiatives are the platforms hartacercetatorilor.ro and descopeRO.unibuc.ro, which complement conferences and multimedia series dedicated to science communication, such as “UB’s Science Dose,” “microSCOP: UB Researcher at the Microphone,” “Project Under the Lens,” “ICUB Meetings,” and “Conversations with SKEPSIS.”