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MOin – MRU Science and Innovation Week 2026

Mykolas Romeris University is organizing its Science and Innovation Week for the second time. This year’s main theme is “MRU Research Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.” Taking place from September 28 to October 2, 2026, the week highlights the diversity of scientific research conducted at the University, its results and impact on society, as well as its links to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The five-day programme showcases research and initiatives across various fields of science, including social sciences, law, economics, political science, communication, and other disciplines. It presents research findings, ongoing projects, and the activities of academic units, while addressing relevant issues related to society, the state, and international cooperation. Particular attention is given to how scientific knowledge and research findings contribute to societal well-being, social change, and a more sustainable future.

The Science and Innovation Week programme includes scientific events, thematic sessions, discussions, meetings with social and public-sector partners, specialized training for researchers, networking activities, and other academic initiatives. The programme also highlights the activities of the University’s laboratories and research centres, promotes collaboration across different scientific disciplines, and encourages the sharing of research findings and best practices.

An important part of the week’s programme is international engagement and the involvement of early-career researchers. Integrated into the Science and Innovation Week is the ERUA Early-Career Researchers’ Week, which includes activities focused on professional development, international cooperation, discussions, and networking. The programme also features the Doctoral Society’s international conference “Social Transformations in Contemporary Society” (STICS), bringing together doctoral researchers from ERUA universities and providing a platform for presenting their research and fostering academic dialogue.

September 28 – Pre-Conference Day, focusing on environmental monitoring using drones, the responsible use of artificial intelligence in science, academic ethics, research impact on society, and sustainability.
September 29 – Opening Day, focusing on MRU research on sustainable development, innovation, and its practical application. The programme includes the opening of Science and Innovation Week, laboratory presentations, workshops for early-career researchers, and discussions on climate change, inclusion, innovation, and organisational resilience.
September 30 – Research and Practical Discussions Day, focusing on current societal challenges and their solutions. Topics include health, education, child well-being, security, justice, climate change, artificial intelligence, and technology.
October 1 – Researchers’ Day, dedicated to professional networking among MRU, ERUA, and Ukrainian researchers, international cooperation, and strengthening research competencies. The programme includes seminars on research data management, academic publishing, mentoring, global challenges, and researchers’ well-being.
October 2 – Closing Day, focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration, interaction between doctoral students and lecturers, achievements of early-career researchers, and recognition of MRU researchers for activities contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Science and Innovation Week events will take place at MRU in Vilnius and Marijampolė, with some activities organised in a hybrid format.

The full program:

September 28 – Pre-Conference Day

PROGRAM

9:00–10:30 LECTURE IN ENGLISH “Drone-based Environmental Monitoring”, presented by Dr. Miguel Angelo Raposo Inacio, Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: DRONE-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 INTRODUCTORY EVENT / TRAINING LECTURE “Dirbtinis intelektas moksle: atsakingas naudojimas ir akademinė etika”, presented by Lijana Radzevičienė, Office of the Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures, Room L-101 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: DIRBTINIS INTELEKTAS MOKSLE: ATSAKINGAS NAUDOJIMAS IR AKADEMINĖ ETIKA – Fill out form

13:30–15:00 ONLINE EVENT IN ENGLISH “Understanding and Demonstrating the Societal Impact of Research – From academic excellence to societal value”, presented by dr. Katarzyna Świerk, Institute for Higher Education Development, Poland. DESCRIPTION. Registration: UNDERSTANDING AND DEMONSTRATING THE SOCIETAL IMPACT OF RESEARCH – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 SEMINAR IN ENGLISH “Integrating transversal competence development into subject-focused teaching”, led by Kees Kouwenaar, a former Secretary General of the Aurora Universities Network and one of the developers of the LOUIS competence framework, Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: INTEGRATING TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT INTO SUBJECT-FOCUSED TEACHING – Fill out form

September 29 – Opening Day

PROGRAM

9:00–10:50 Science and Innovation Week opening event, Room C-I-414 (Ateities Str. 20, Vilnius):

9:00–9:15 WELCOME WORD: Rector of Mykolas Romeris University, Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė.
9:15–9:30 PRESENTATION: “Lietuvos pažanga įgyvendinant darnaus vystymosi tikslus ir mokslo diplomatijos vaidmuo šioje srityje”.
9:30–9:45 PRESENTATION: “Partnerships and Innovation for Sustainable Development – IAU HESD”, Isabel Toman, Senior Programme Officer for Sustainable Development, International Association of Universities (online presentation).
9:45–10:00 PRESENTATION: “Mykolo Romerio universiteto tvarumo kelionė”, Dr. Nomeda Gudelienė, Advisor to the Vice-Rector of Mykolas Romeris University on Sustainable Development.
10:00–10:20 CONCERT: Yana Paschenko, violinist of the Kharkiv Regional Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Vilnius, Stembridge School, “Bouquet for Stradivari” studio, together with pianist-accompanist Tetiana Nemna and studio students Maryna Malašenko, Alisa Solovjova, and Ihor Templing.
10:20–10:50 Ceremony of Appreciation for MRU Social Partners.

11:00 – 12:15 MRU Social Innovation Laboratories Open Day: Interactive tour “Pažink MRU LAB”, Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius).

13:30–15:00 CLIMATE FORUM “Nuo žinojimo iki sprendimo: kas lemia veiksmingą klimato politiką?”, featuring Simonas Gentvilas, Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (Committee on Energy and Sustainable Development), Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania (2020–2024), Master’s degree in Urban Planning; Agnė Tarailaitė, science journalist, host at “Laisvės TV”, European Climate Pact Ambassador. Moderated by Ieva Budraitė, PhD candidate at the MRU Institute of Management and Political Science and environmental advocate, Room C-I-414 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: KLIMATO FORUMAS – Fill out form

13:30–15:00 LECTURE “Ne herojai gelbsti organizacijas: kaip žmonės kuria organizacijų atsparumą VUCA pasaulyje”, presented by Prof. Dr. Brigita Žuromskaitė, Faculty of Public Governance and Business, Institute of Public Policy and Management, MRU, Room C-II-230 (Ateities Str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: NE HEROJAI GELBSTI ORGANIZACIJAS – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 PRACTICAL WORKSHOP “Protmūšis: ar jau viską žinai apie tvarumą?”, Room C-I-414 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/9pUxDugEFD

15:15–16:45 WORKSHOP “Klimato freskos“, facilitated by Justina Markevičienė, sustainability expert, consultant and educator, Room C-II-230 (Ateities Str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: KLIMATO FRESKOS – Fill out form

September 30 – Research and Practice Discussion Day

PROGRAM

9:00–10:30 THEMATIC SESSION IN ENGLISH “Science-Based Approaches to Health, Learning and Human Development”, Room C-I-414 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius), speakers – prof. dr. Jekaterina Šteinmiller, prof. dr. Natalja Istomina, prof. dr. Elin Thordardottir. The session will be moderated by prof. dr. Natalja Istomina from Faculty of Public Governance and Business and dr. Aušra Kolbergytė from Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. DESCRIPTION. Registration: SCIENCE-BASED APPROACHES TO HEALTH, LEARNING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – Fill out form

9:00–10:30 PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP IN ENGLISH “Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Digital Narratives: Research and Participation”, Dr. Isabel Palomo-Domínguez, Lead Researcher, PSGENEQ Project, Rasa Rudaitienė, PhD Candidate and Researcher, PSGENEQ Project, Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: CHALLENGING GENDER STEREOTYPES IN DIGITAL NARRATIVES: RESEARCH AND PARTICIPATION – Fill out form

9:00–10:30 THEMATIC SESSION “Kriminologija ir visuomenės saugumas: šiuolaikinių grėsmių analizė”, Room C-I-312 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). Registration: KRIMINOLOGIJA IR VISUOMENĖS SAUGUMAS: ŠIUOLAIKINIŲ GRĖSMIŲ ANALIZĖ – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 THEMATIC SESSION “Vaiko gerovė ir ateities specialistų rengimas”, speakers – Prof. Dr. Goda Kaniušonytė, Vaiva Rimienė, and researchers from the Institute of Educational Sciences and Social Work, Prof. Dr. Vida Gudžinskienė and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Justinas Sadauskas. Room C-I-414 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: VAIKO GEROVĖ IR ATEITIES SPECIALISTŲ RENGIMAS – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 DISCUSSION “Tarp progreso ir etikos: kaip mes iš tiesų naudojame DI teisiniuose tyrimuose – pasidalijimas patirtimi apie gerąsias praktikas ir akligatvius”, moderated by Prof. Dr. Salvija Mulevičienė (Head of the MRU Justice Research Laboratory, Professor at the Law School) and Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Bogdziewicz (Head of the MRU Human Rights Research Laboratory, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs at the Law School), Room C-I-311 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). Registration: TARP PROGRESO IR ETIKOS: KAIP MES IŠ TIESŲ NAUDOJAME DI TEISINIUOSE TYRIMUOSE – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION “Ekrane ir už jo: vaikų apsauga internete”, Room C-I-312 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: EKRANE IR UŽ JO: VAIKŲ APSAUGA INTERNETE – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 LECTURE “„Mes“ ir „jie“: ar kalba kuria atskirtį?” The event is organised in partnership with the Lithuanian Centre for Inclusion in Education, Room C-II-230 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: „MES“ IR „JIE“: AR KALBA KURIA ATSKIRTĮ? – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 ONLINE SEMINAR IN ENGLISH “Digital Twins for Civil Protection: Risk Awareness and Societal Preparedness”, led by Prof. Dr Aelita Skaržauskienė and Lecturer Gintarė Gulevičiūtė (Institute of Communication, Faculty of Human and Social Studies, MRU). DESCRIPTION. Registration: DIGITAL TWINS FOR CIVIL PROTECTION: RISK AWARENESS AND SOCIETAL PREPAREDNESS – Fill out form

10:45–13:15 CONFERENCE “Partnerystė, kuri augina: mokslas, praktika ir ateities socialinių organizacijų lyderiai“, Room L-102 (Didlaukio str. 55, Vilnius). CONFERENCE PROGRAM.

13:30–15:00 INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP IN ENGLISH “From Local Legends to Global Meanings”, workshop is led by Violetta Karydaki – a Museologist and Cultural Professional specialising in cultural heritage, cultural management, community engagement and participatory practices, Room C-I-311 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP IN ENGLISH “From Local Legends to Global Meanings” – Fill out form

13:30–15:00 BOOK PRESENTATION ANF DISCUSSION “Tvarus teisingumas: baudžiamosios, civilinės justicijos ir teisės kultūros dialogas”, with Prof. Dr. Agnė Tvaronavičienė (Institute of Private Law), Prof. Dr. Jolanta Zajančkauskienė (Institute of Criminal Law and Procedure), Prof. Dr. Justinas Žilinskas (Institute of International and European Union Law); moderator – Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Bogdziewicz (Head of the MRU Human Rights Research Laboratory, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs at the Law School), Room C-I-414 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). Registration: TVARUS TEISINGUMAS: BAUDŽIAMOSIOS, CIVILINĖS JUSTICIJOS IR TEISĖS KULTŪROS DIALOGAS – Fill out form

13:30–16:45 SEMINAR IN LITHUANIAN AND ENGLISH, as part of the CRA-COMP project: “Information Security and Domain Protection in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”, Room L-102 (Didlaukio str. 55, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION.

13:30–15:00 ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION “Ar pedagogai pasirengę būti bendratyrėjais?”. The discussion is organised by the Consolidated Teacher Training Centre, which brings together KTU, MRU, LSU and VIKO, moderator – Prof. Dr. Odeta Merfeldaitė, Room I-216 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: AR PEDAGOGAI PASIRENGĘ BŪTI BENDRATYRĖJAIS? – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 LECTURE IN ENGLISH “Counter Threat Network Operations and Convergence?”, presented by Kevin Douglas Stringer, Room I-409 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius).

15:15–16:45 LECTURE-DISCUSSION “Kur nori gyventi jaunimas šiandien? Regionų patrauklumas jaunimui”, presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miglė Eleonora Černikovaitė, Dr Monika Petkevičiūtė-Stručko, Assoc. Prof. Dr Artūras Jurgelevičius, Room C-I-311 (Ateities Str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: KUR NORI GYVENTI JAUNIMAS ŠIANDIEN? REGIONŲ PATRAUKLUMAS JAUNIMUI – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 LECTURE “Darnių inovacijų diegimo ypatumai projektų valdyme”, speaker Prof. Habil. Dr. Žaneta Simanavičienė, Room C-I-312 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: DARNIŲ INOVACIJŲ DIEGIMO YPATUMAI – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 ONLINE PUBLIC LECTURE IN ENGLISH “Memory in Action: why Memory Studies are Relevant Today?”, speaker – Dr. Dovilė Sagatienė, Head of the Memory and Justice Research Center, Advisor to the MRU Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation on Early-Career Researcher Development, Associate Professor at the Public Law Institute, MRU Law School. DESCRIPTION. Registration: MEMORY IN ACTION: WHY MEMORY STUDIES ARE RELEVANT TODAY? – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 ONLINE LECTURE IN ENGLISH “Echoes of Geopolitical Events in Europe in Latin American Public Space and Social Policy”, presented by Prof. Dr. Mindaugas Briedis, Prof. Dr. Mariano Navarro. DESCRIPTION. Registration: ECHOES OF GEOPOLITICAL EVENTS IN EUROPE IN LATIN AMERICAN PUBLIC SPACE AND SOCIAL POLICY – Fill out form

October 1 – Professional Networking Day for Researchers from MRU, ERUA and Ukraine

PROGRAM

9:30–18:00 INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE “Human Rights Amidst Modern Challenges:the Ukrainian-Lithuanian Experience”, Room C-I-414 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). Registration: HUMAN RIGHTS AMIDST MODERN CHALLENGES: THE UKRAINIAN-LITHUANIAN EXPERIENCE – Fill out form. CONFERENCE PROGRAM.

9:00–10:30 INTERACTIVE GAME “Pasimatuokite mokslininko batus”, Dr. Eleonora Dagienė, Adviser to the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at MRU on matters relating to the formulation of research policy, Affiliated Lecturer at MRU Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: INTERAKTYVUS ŽAIDIMAS / PRAKTINIS UŽSIĖMIMAS „PASIMATUOKITE MOKSLININKO BATUS“ – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 LECTURE “Mentorystė moksle”, Room L-102 (Didlaukio str. 55, Vilnius). Registration: MENTORYSTĖ MOKSLE – Fill out form

10:45–12:15 DISCUSSION IN LITHUANIAN AND ENGLISH, as part of the CRA-COMP project: “Information Security and Domain Protection in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”, Room I-220 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). DESCRIPTION. Registration: DISCUSSION: INFORMATION SECURITY AND DOMAIN PROTECTION IN SME – Fill out form

13:30–15:00 ONLINE LECTURE IN ENGLISH “Effective Strategies for Research Data Management: Turning FAIR Principles into Practice through Data Stewardship”, presented by João Aguiar Castro. APRAŠYMAS. Registration: EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 MRU’s experience with Nextcloud, Room L-102 aud. (Didlaukio str. 55, Vilnius).

October 2 – Closing Day

PROGRAM

10.45–15.00 Closing ceremony of the event week.

Events in Marijampolė

PROGRAM

September 29

14:00–15:30 PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SERVICES “Socialinio darbuotojo identitetas šiandien”, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

16:00–17:00 DISCUSSION “Kaip padėti sau padedant kitiems?”, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

September 30

9:00–10:30 Meeting with the principals of Marijampolė Municipality schools, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

10:00–11:30 “Karjera prasideda šiandien”: discussion with career specialists “Kaip univeristetas galėtų padėti karjeros specialistams?”, with the participation of MRU Prof. Dr. Violeta Jegelevičienė and Prof. Dr. Asta Railienė, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

11:30–13:00 Visit by career specialists to STEAM, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

14:00–15:00 DISCUSSION “Mokytojų per akis: kada?” and PRESENTATION BY MRU SUA RESEARCHERS “Kas motyvuoja mokytojus pedagoginiam darbui?”, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

15:00–16:45 WORKSHOP WITH SOCIAL PARTNERS FROM EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS “Įtraukaus lyderystės modelio kūrimas”, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

17:15–18:45 STEAM workshops for the public. Venue: MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė). Registration: STEAM Workshops for the Public

October 1

10:00–11:30 LECTURE “Mokslinės informacijos paieška elektroniniuose šaltiniuose”, presented by A. Olechnovičius, Chief Librarian at the MRU Library, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

13:00–14:30 Creative workshop with librarians from Marijampolė schools and the Sūduva Academy community.

17:30–19:00 Public panel discussion on hybrid threats and information security, 315 Laisvės Auditorium, MRU Sūduva Academy (J. Basanavičiaus Sq. 7, Marijampolė).

October 2

Closing of the Week.

The International Scientific Conference for Young Researchers – Social Transformations in Contemporary Society (STICS)

PROGRAM

The International Scientific Conference for Young Researchers – Social Transformations in Contemporary Society (STICS) is an annual conference held since 2013 at Mykolas Romeris University. In 2026, the conference marks its 14th edition, continuing its tradition of providing an international platform for early-career scholars to discuss social change in contemporary societies.

The program will be available soon: https://stics.mruni.eu/programme/

International Week

PROGRAM

28 September

9:00–10:30 LECTURE IN ENGLISH “Drone-based Environmental Monitoring”, presented by Dr. Miguel Angelo Raposo Inacio, Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius). Registration: DRONE-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING – Fill out form

15:15–16:45 SEMINAR IN ENGLISH “Integrating transversal competence development into subject-focused teaching”, led by Kees Kouwenaar, Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius). Registration: INTEGRATING TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT INTO SUBJECT-FOCUSED TEACHING – Fill out form

30 September

9:00–10:30 THEMATIC SESSION IN ENGLISH “Science-Based Approaches to Health, Learning and Human Development”, Room C-I-414 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius), speakers – prof. dr. Jekaterina Šteinmiller, prof. dr. Natalja Istomina, prof. dr. Elin Thordardottir. The session will be moderated by prof. dr. Natalja Istomina from Faculty of Public Governance and Business and dr. Aušra Kolbergytė from Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. DESCRIPTION. Registration: SCIENCE-BASED APPROACHES TO HEALTH, LEARNING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – Fill out form

10:45–13:15 CONFERENCE “A Partnership that Fosters Growth: Academia, Practice and Future Leaders of Social Organisations”, Room L-102 (Didlaukio str. 55, Vilnius). CONFERENCE PROGRAM

13:30–16:45 SEMINAR IN ENGLISH, as part of the CRA-COMP project: “Information Security and Domain Protection in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”, (CLOSED EVENT), Room L-102 (Didlaukio str. 55, Vilnius).

15:15–16:45 ONLINE LECTURE IN ENGLISH AND ONLINE “Echoes of Geopolitical Events in Europe in Latin American Public Space and Social Policy”, presented by Prof. Dr. Mindaugas Briedis, Prof. Dr. Mariano Navarro. Registration: ECHOES OF GEOPOLITICAL EVENTS IN EUROPE IN LATIN AMERICAN PUBLIC SPACE AND SOCIAL POLICY – Fill out form

1 October

10:45–12:15 DISCUSSION IN ENGLISH, as part of the CRA-COMP project: “Information Security and Domain Protection in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”, Room I-220 (Ateities str. 20, Vilnius). Registration: DISCUSSION: INFORMATION SECURITY AND DOMAIN PROTECTION IN SME – Fill out form

13:30–15:00 ONLINE LECTURE IN ENGLISH “Effective Strategies for Research Data Management”, presented by João Castro. Registration: EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT – Fill out form

ERUA MRU Young Researchers Days

PROGRAM

Room L-102 (Didlaukio Str. 55, Vilnius)

29 September

10:00-13:30 Grant Writing & Funding Strategies (Prof. Dr. Birutė Mockevičienė).

14:30-16:00 Writing retreat (Prof. Habil. Dr. Irena Vassileva, Prof. Dr. Jolanta Pivorienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raminta Bardauskienė).

30 September

10:00-13:30 Scientific Communication & Dissemination (Goda Raibytė-Aleksa).

14:30-16:00 Writing retreat (Prof. Franziska Liebetanz, Prof. Dr. Jolanta Pivorienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raminta Bardauskienė).

Please note that participation in this event is limited to registered participants, and registration has already closed.