“Viral diseases, between panic and trivialization” will be the theme of the first Science Bar of the year.

[Press release] - Published on January 15, 2026 in Press Room

On January 29, starting at 7:30 p.m., the first Science Bar of the year will be held, organized by the University of Montpellier. For this edition, Bernard Taverne, health anthropologist, Serafín Gutierrez, virologist researcher, and Alain Makinson, university professor and hospital infectious disease specialist, will discuss the issue of "viral diseases, between panic and trivialization."

The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory and citizen-led debate on all aspects of science from January to June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are shared, but can also be discussed. The season is co-produced by the UM's scientific culture services and its partners: the UM Faculty of Sciences, INRAE, INSERM, and IRD. This evening event will be translated into sign language. Admission is free, subject to availability.

A Science Bar dedicated to viral diseases

Faced with the proliferation of epidemics and the massive dissemination of information, how can we distinguish scientific perception from media panic or, conversely, complacency in the face of the threat?

The discussion will cover topics such as the evolution of viral diseases, from AIDS to emerging viruses, as well as inequalities in access to healthcare between different populations and countries, and the challenges of prevention and scientific monitoring. This evening event is an opportunity to understand viral diseases in their scientific and social context, while chatting directly with researchers over a drink in a friendly setting.

To discuss this topic of science and society, three multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience:

• Bernard Taverne: health anthropologist at the Translational Research Laboratory on HIV and Infectious Diseases and Northern Coordinator for the ANRS Senegal site (UMI TransVIHMI – IRD, ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases at 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: virologist researcher at the Animal-Health-Territories-Risks-Ecosystems Unit (ASTRE – CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier) and associate researcher at the virology laboratory of Montpellier University Hospital. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of viruses, particularly mosquito-borne viruses (West Nile and Usutu viruses).

• Alain Makinson: university professor and hospital infectious disease specialist in the Tropical Infectious Diseases Department (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 controlled chronic infection.