The University of Montpellier awarded the "Science Avec et Pour la Société" label
The question of the link between science and society is a major theme at the heart of the UM's strategic challenges. The SAPS (Science Avec et Pour la Société) label awarded by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research to the "UM VIA des sciences" project supported by the establishment is part of this approach to promoting knowledge dissemination initiatives throughout the region. UM VIA des sciences is firmly rooted in the regional Science(s) en Occitanie network, and is the only establishment in Occitanie to be awarded the label. It is the fruit of a joint project with Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, a major player in the Science & Society link.
" This label distinguishes and rewards all the work already accomplished by our university in disseminating scientific culture at regional level, in the service of a balanced territorial network, and strengthens our links with the metropolis of Montpellier in terms of disseminating knowledge ", says Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.
The University of Montpellier, a key player in the dissemination of scientific culture in Occitania
UM VIA des sciences is a new route to be traced at the crossroads between the public and science. The name refers to the famous Via Domitia, which crosses the region and was the source of numerous cultural, scientific and technical exchanges that influenced the future of knowledge and culture. The Via des sciences project has the same ambition of developing scientific culture in the region, and is structured around three themes: Visibility, Impulsion and Audacity (VIA). Enhance " visibility " by producing a dynamic cartography of staff members, to highlight their commitment and facilitate cooperation and the deployment of projects to disseminate knowledge. Give " impetus " to a more inclusive scientific culture, to improve access to knowledge by boosting scientific exchange schemes for young people:
- in working-class neighborhoods,
- in areas geographically remote from major cities,
- with disabilities,
- school difficulties.
The aim is to reinforce the idea of science as a common good that contributes to social cohesion, to combat scientific mistrust and enlighten public debate. The last path, that of " audacity ", plays the game of new experiments and dialogue interfaces: research tales for young audiences, scientific journeys and intrigues, participatory science. Together with our metropolitan and associative partners, we are building elements that will be deployed and sustained beyond the SAPS label, on a scale that goes beyond the regional territory to export nationally and even internationally.
An innovative university partnership with the Metropole to strengthen regional coverage
This label is the fruit of the UM VIA des sciences project's co-construction with Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, and in particular with the department responsible for the network of media libraries and scientific culture, and the department dedicated to ecological mediation. This partnership is a major departure from the usual collaborative approach, and is perfectly in line with the development of the Science & Society link for both the UM and the Metropole. In a conurbation where 50% of the population is under 34, the UM VIA des sciences project targets a young audience. It is intended to demonstrate genuine cooperation capable of driving forward a more structured, visible, inclusive and daring science & society policy. To achieve this, the project aims to be deployed initially in the fourteen media libraries (six in Montpellier and eight in the metropolitan area), consolidating the legitimacy of media libraries as local science centers. The aim is also to support local residents in approving the climate-ecological transition by developing nomadic activities at the Zoo du Lunaret and the Ecolothèque. This shared ambition to promote scientific culture throughout the region involves the pooling of human, technical and financial resources between the University and the Metropole.