Stéphanie Bost: “We are structuring non-academic research”

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 also very familiar with the international network of science shops, Living Knowledge. I was also involved in the development of the French-speaking network of science shops. On the European level, there’s also ECSA (European Citizen Science Association), which is involved in participatory science. ALLISS can cooperate with these networks. If we want more space for participatory science and research in the European framework program, we have to work with these partners.

What is your action plan?

S. B.: I am setting up working groups on different topics. The first group is working on the funding of the third sector of research: in order to get them involved, we need dedicated funding, which does not exist today. A sub-group is looking more specifically at the creation of an endowment fund dedicated to participatory research. We will organize a series of webinars to provide food for thought on these issues. A second group is working on regional issues, to identify the dynamics at work in key regions such as Brittany and Occitania. This group could also work on links between representatives of universities with the “Science avec et pour la société” label. A third group is trying to better identify what the “third sector” is: to better define it, to offer it a way to recognize itself and to legitimize its place. Another group is working on places where research is carried out, and places where new ways of doing research can be developed. There is a link with third places, with the Observatoire des Tiers-Lieux and the Association Nationale des Tiers-Lieux. We are currently working on a specific roadmap on this issue. A final group is working on at training in participatory research. I would like this group to continue with the work done by the EQUIPACT project, funded for the last two years by the French National Research Agency, to identify existing training courses. On this basis, it will be able to identify the gaps and make proposals. Improving the skills and qualifications of those involved also means ensuring that the specific professions associated with participatory research are recognized. Finally, we are also considering the creation of an international relations working group to better understand participatory researches at the international level.

Relationships between science and society often mean diffusion of scientific culture. Are these issues also of interest to you?

S. B.: It is different, but we need each other. For example, many projects that start out with a very top-down approach, from the scientists to the public, gradually make room for the public to become active. And on the other hand, to develop participatory research and make it known, we need to popularize it.

Interview by Luc Allemand