“Agroforestry and Pastoralism: A Revolution in Our Regions” will be the theme of the next Bar des sciences 2026

[Press Release] - Published on May 11, 2026 in the Press Room

On Thursday, May 28, starting at 7:30 p.m., the University of Montpellier will host the fifth Science Bar of the year. For this event, Véronique Ancey, a research director in sociology at CIRAD; Julien Blanco, an ethnoecologist at IRD; and Fabien Stark, a researcher in animal science at INRAE, will be on hand to facilitate a dialogue between researchers and the public on agroforestry and pastoralism.

The Bar des sciences has become one of Montpellier’s flagship events for scientific culture, offering a participatory, community-driven discussion on all aspects of science once a month from January through June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are not only shared but also open to discussion. The season is co-produced by theUM ’s scientific culture departmentsUM its partners—INRAE, INSERM, IRD, and the Faculty of Sciences—with support from Radio Aviva.

A Science Bar dedicated to agroforestry and pastoralism

To mark the International Year of Pastoralism 2026, visitors will have the opportunity to discover how pastoralism and agroforestry contribute to sustainable livestock systems, ecological land management, and fire prevention, by exploring both the scientific aspects—environmental ecology, biodiversity, and plant-animal interactions—and the economic challenges associated with these practices, such as the promotion of local products and the sustainable management of resources.

To discuss this topic—science and society—three experts from various disciplines will answer questions from the audience:

• Véronique Ancey is a research director in sociology at CIRAD within the joint research unit Actors, Resources, and Territories in Development (UMR ART-Dev – CIRAD, CNRS, Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier, University of Perpignan Via-Domitia, and University of Montpellier). Her research focuses on knowledge, social practices, and policies related to pastoralism in arid regions.

• Julien Blanco is an ethnoecologist at the IRD, within the joint research unit Savoirs, ENvironnement, Sociétés (UMR SENS – IRD, CIRAD, and Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 University). His research focuses on community forests and forest governance in Morocco, as well as on the territorial dynamics resulting from conservation projects in Madagascar.

• Fabien Stark is a researcher in animal science at INRAE within the Joint Research Unit on Livestock Systems in Mediterranean and Tropical Environments (UMR SELMET – INRAE, CIRAD, and the Institut Agro-Montpellier). His research focuses on the design and evaluation of diversified livestock systems that address the challenges of agroecological transition and adaptation to climate change.

Once again this year, the Bar des Sciences is supported bytheUniversity of Montpellier’s“Science with and for Society”(SAPS)ministerial initiative. As a result, this event will feature French Sign Language (LSF) interpretation provided by Des’L Interprétation, as well as a collaboration with students from Lycée Joffre taking the LSF elective and their teachers, who will open the evening. Can’t make it to the event? Watch highlights of the discussions on theÉcran de savoirs YouTube channel, in a format produced by the Cosciences association.

Keywords: Science Bar