Anthropocene engagements with the general public through visual and artistic approaches in Korea Public projection of the work created by Yiyun Kang and her students Technology, science, and policy alone cannot address the Anthropocene’s highly complex challenges. Art and creativity are also crucial in communicating these issues and shifting human perception. That is the reason why artist and researcher Professor Yiyun Kang engaged in a visual art project in collaboration with the KAIST Center for Anthropocene Studies (Daejon, Korea), highlighting the growing importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and initiatives. A short film (in English) tells the story of this collaboration, and also give insigthes about the prupose of the Center. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER To stay up to date with our projects and the development of the EHC Read more articles

In France, ALLISS brings together academic and non-academic organizations to develop a “third sector” for research, which is essential for the development of participatory research Stéphanie Bost is the coordinator of the ALLIance Sciences Sociétés (ALLISS), in France What is ALLISS? Stéphanie Bost: ALLISS stands for ALLiance Sciences Société (alliance of sciences and societies). It is a French association that brings together research institutions, universities and players from the “third sector” of research. What is the “third sector” of research? S. B.: It is very heterogeneous: associations, cooperatives, small companies and even individual entrepreneurs. They all have in common to be involved in research projects, in one way or another. Some of them are professional researchers, others are not but all of them contribute to research and knowledge production. We only have one rule about our members: their purpose and organization must be in line with the goals of ALLISS. What exactly are these goals? S. B.: ALLISS is working to structure the “third sector” of research. First, to help the players to get to know each other better, so that they can build a common narrative. Then, on the basis of this common narrative, to constitute a credible partner for scientific research, with the research and higher education organizations. Basically, what is the point of developing this “third sector”? S. B.: The main driver is the desire to put the “third sector” of research alongside industrial research and university research. Pierre-Benoît Joly and Évelyne Lhoste, who are among the founding members of ALLISS, wrote about this “triple helix”. We want to ensure that civil society is recognized as a contributor to knowledge and research. And, more broadly, we want to highlight the notion of expertise from practice: the recognition that we have knowledge and expertise that comes from our practices. One of the best examples of this is the CO3 initiative (CO-COnstruction de Connaissances pour la transition écologique et solidaire, co-construction of knowledge for the ecological and social transition) a program co-funded between 2018 and 2024 by the Fondation de France, the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, the Fondation Charles Léopold Mayer pour le Progrès Humain, the Agropolis Fondation and ADEME. This program has given rise to participatory research projects to emerge, bringing together actors from different worlds: citizens’ groups, food producers, farmers and university laboratories. These projects have shown that the expertise of users is as productive of knowledge as that of erudite scientists. When you are interested in a very specific topic, the expertise of people who are not researchers, but specialists in the field, is essential. Is it a matter of efficiency? S. B.: I wouldn’t use that word. It is about broadening the knowledge base and democratizing the production of knowledge. An example can be useful. One of the projects funded by CO3, called Roc-Cha, for ‘Réseau d’Observation et de Conservation in situ des variétés de Châtaignes et des savoirs co-construits locaux et scientifiques associés’ (Network for the Observation and in situ Conservation of Chestnut varieties and associated local and scientific co-constructed knowledge), associated chestnut growers and the CNRS Centre d’écologie fonctionnelle et évolutive in Montpellier to monitor the adaptation of chestnuts and chestnut trees to climate change. Based on surveys carried out by partner producers in the Ariège, Corsica, Ardèche and Drôme departments, the aim of the work with the scientists was to identify the varieties that would be best able to adapt to the decreasingly harsh climate, which is causing more and more damage to the trees. In a way, there is a search for efficiency in adaptation. The co-production of knowledge also means the co-production of future practices, on how we can adapt to changes in our climate, our economy and our society in general. In this example, we are talking about adapting to climate change. Is the goal of sustainability always present in your actions? S. B.: By co-producing knowledge with a range of stakeholders from different sectors, we aim to reduce our impact on resources and use them wisely. Is this a conviction shared by all ALLISS members? S. B.: Yes, and it helps determine the way we deal with our members.  Why are academic entities, who are not part of the “third sector”, members of ALLISS? S. B.: They are very interested in meeting non-academic organizations that are motivated by research. The development of this “third sector” allows them to build bridges, relationships and networks. Our members in the academic sector are convinced of the importance of working more closely with actors specialized in certain topics, from the local to the national level, in order to be more firmly rooted in socially relevant issues and questions. In addition, it is important for them to build up a common agenda, based on the grassroots issues. Does it make sense to do this at national level? S. B.: I am in favour of working through local and regional relays. They can support networks that are starting up in other regions. The shape and dynamics of the “third sector” are not the same everywhere, and that is good, because it helps us to see that it can have many different aspects. It is also useful to act at the national level: it allows us to compare practices, to identify good or bad practices, which helps us to move forward. At the national level, we can also lobby for regional plans and research policy laws, and take advantage of European framework programs. Is ALLISS part of a wider European network? S. B.: This is one of the missions I would like to work towards. I am not aware of any equivalents to ALLISS in other European countries. We have a representative from the University of Lausanne on our board, Alain Kaufmann, who has been working on these issues for a long time. Through him, we have links with the RÉIUNIS network (Réseau International Universités-Société, Universities society international network). Through my previous job at the Trait d’Union science shop in Montpellier, I am

A roundtable dedicated to the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development was organized in Muscat, Oman Silvina Ponce Dawson, the president of IUPAP, presented The Earth-Humanity Coalition during the International Science Council General Assembly – 28 January 2025 At the end of January 2025, the International Science Council organized its general assembly in Muscat, Oman. The section of the program focusing on science, 27th and 28th January,  was named The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue. It was organized around three streams: Science systems and science futures; Science and just transformations to sustainability; Science and society The Decade of Science for Sustainability: The post-2030 agenda On 28th January, during a roundtable dedicated to the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, Silvina Ponce Dawson, the president of IUPAP, presented The Earth-Humanity Coalition. Watch her talk her. You can also watch the video in full on ISC Youtube channel    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER To stay up to date with our projects and the development of the EHC Read more articles