Viral Diseases: Between Panic and Trivialization

Viruses, rumors, real-world impacts, trivialization… How can we understand viral diseases
? Come discuss these topics with scientists at the University of Montpellier’s Science Bar!

The University of Montpellier’s first “Bar des sciences 2026” will take place on Thursday, January 29
, at 7:30 p.m. at Brasserie Le Dôme. This inaugural event offers an exceptional “
” evening focused on viral diseases, a topic at the forefront of scientific
and media discourse. Titled “Viral Diseases: Between Panic and Trivialization,” the evening
invites the public to engage in an open dialogue with experts.

Given the increasing frequency of epidemics and the massive spread of information, how can we distinguish scientific understanding from media-driven panic—or, conversely, from complacency in the face of the threat?
The discussion may address, in particular, the evolution of viral diseases—from AIDS to
emerging viruses—as well as inequalities in access to healthcare across different populations and countries, and the challenges of prevention and scientific monitoring.

This event offers an opportunity to gain a better understanding of viral diseases within their scientific and social context
, while engaging in direct conversation with researchers over a
drink in a friendly setting.

To discuss this topic, three experts from various fields will answer questions from the audience live:

• Bernard TAVERNE is a health anthropologist at the “
  ” Laboratory for Translational Research on HIV and Infectious Diseases and the coordinator of the “
  ” North unit at the ANRS Senegal site (UMI TransVIHMI – IRD, ANRS Infectious Diseases and Emerging Diseases
  of Inserm). His work focuses on the social dimensions of HIV in West Africa
  , particularly care pathways, treatment adherence, aging with HIV, and the adaptation of health policies to local realities.
• Serafín GUTIERREZ is a virologist at the Animal Health–
  Territories–Risks–Ecosystems Unit (ASTRE – CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier), and
  is an associate researcher at the virology laboratory of the Montpellier University Hospital. Their research
  focuses on the ecology and evolution of viruses, particularly those transmitted by
  mosquitoes (West Nile and Usutu viruses).
• Alain MAKINSON is a university professor and hospital-based infectious disease specialist at the
  , within the Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases (MIT – Montpellier University Hospital), and
  , president of the Occitanie Regional Sexual Health Coordination Committee (CORESS – formerly COREVIH). His work focuses primarily on aging with HIV, comorbidities, and frailty—particularly neurocognitive disorders—with the aim of improving clinical care for people living with a controlled chronic infection.

Admission is free, subject to availability.