The relationship between science and society: "It's our role to sow the seeds"
Listen to scientific stories about the work of researchers at the University of Montpellier, take part in a scientific geocaching game, or follow a geolocated walk... All this will soon be possible thanks to the "Science with and for society" label awarded to UM for its UM VIA des sciences project, which has received €680,000 in funding from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Isabelle Parrot received some very good news at the end of June. The Vice President for Science-Society Relations learned that the University of Montpellier had just been awarded the "Science with and for Society" (SAPS) label. "This certification distinguishes and rewards all the work already accomplished by our university in promoting scientific culture at the regional level," said Philippe Augé, president of UM.
An innovative partnership
The 2021 Research Programming Act is the first to seek to make the relationship between science and society an integral part of scientific activity."While popularization has given way to less pejorative and more open terminology for the dissemination of scientific, technical, and industrial culture, this is now included with co-research under the term 'science with and for society,'" explains Isabelle Parrot. To distinguish strategic projects from university sites, the ministry has introduced the SAPS label.
Although UM failed to make the podium in its first two attempts, the third time was the charm with the UM VIA des sciences project. Its strength lies in an innovative partnership with the Montpellier metropolitan area, the result of "extensive discussions with the management of the media library and scientific culture network, as well as the department responsible for environmental education, and therefore with the zoo and the ecolothèque," enthuses the vice president.
Via Domitia
With €680,000 in funding over three years, this label will enable UM to strengthen existing initiatives and sustain new ones. "The name UM VIA des sciences 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 UM project aims to promote the same ambition of developing scientific culture in the region, and is structured around three areas: visibility, momentum, and inclusivity and boldness.
To ensure the visibility of science, "a map of personnel involved in the science-society relationship will be created, in conjunction with the map of research skills that will be put in place by the structural programs department. This will be accompanied by an annual seminar, which will be an opportunity to remind people that we offer training in science communication," said the vice president, who also proposed the creation of a SAPS UM award to recognize the involvement of research staff in the dissemination of knowledge.
The project also aims to create a calendar of scientific, technical, and industrial cultural events linked to the city's contributory calendar in order to improve "the influence and visibility of these events."
Drive and Inclusivity
The second goal of the UM VIA science project is to "strengthen mature and emerging initiatives in scientific, technical, and industrial culture and participatory science aimed at young people, such as LitterNature, Nounours, Univerlacité or les cordées de la réussite ." With a threefold objective: to combat scientific mistrust, inform public debate, and reinforce the idea that science is a common good that contributes to social cohesion.
"We want to move towards greater inclusivity in the dissemination of knowledge by reaching new audiences," emphasizes Isabelle Parrot. Who? Residents of working-class neighborhoods who do not take the initiative to engage with science, or areas that are geographically remote from major cities, such as Lozère, the least populated department in France. "By rolling out nomadic scientific culture initiatives, the university is coming to them."
Moving towards greater inclusivity also means improving access to UM's flagship events, for example by offering sign language interpretation for most of the Science Bars, compared to just two today, or for films at the Sud de Sciences festival.
Audacity
The third strand of the UM VIA science project, which will account for the largest share of this new budget, is boldness. "In a city where 50% of the population is under 34, it is our role as a university to sow the seeds and dare to experiment with innovative approaches," emphasizes Isabelle Parrot.
The first bold project: translating researchers' work into stories. "In a post-COVID era where researchers are being asked to be accountable, we propose that research should produce stories." Once upon a time, there was research on... "feeding, caring for, and protecting. We chose to base our scientific stories on our three pillars of research identity."
Treasure hunt
For older children, UM VIA des sciences is launching a geocaching project aimed at teenagers and families, inspired by the famous game Cluedo. "Except that instead of Colonel Mustard, we'll have famous scientific figures who will meet not in the office or library but in the botanical garden or on the Alexander Grothendieck plaza, for example." This life-size treasure hunt could be offered by the tourist office or even used by schools.
The third and final of these ambitious projects is the creation of a geolocated walking tour, aimed primarily at students and young adults, featuring science quizzes created by students for students, under the guidance of their Professors.
Radiation
"All these projects, developed jointly with our partners in the metropolitan area, are intended to be rolled out and continue beyond the Science with and for Society label," explains Isabelle Parrot, who is looking further ahead in time, but also further afield, with the hope that these projects will spread beyond the region and be exported nationally, or even internationally.