Innovation & Outreach
The actors of IFR MARRES are involved not only in fundamental and ambitious transdisciplinary research projects but also in innovating the scientific mediation - always in close exchange with the socio-economic world, in order to sensibilize the public about the challenges of marine resources. The transmission of scientific and technological culture for all people is an essential aspect of our discoveries, to raise awareness and ultimately conserve the marine environment not only for our health and well-being but also for the future generations.
INNOVATION
The IFR MARRES is composed of research units with a rich and diversified expertise in the field of marine resources, which is not only the basis of scientific excellence in the field within the Université Côte d'Azur but also a source of scientific and technological innovation. Thus, former MSc MARRES students, Ph.D. students and postdocs from membered laboratories have been at the initiative of several start-ups in the field of marine resources conservation/enhancement (Blue LEAF, Thalassa environment).
Currently, several start-up projects highlighting laboratory innovations have received support from the IDEX UCAjedi innovation program, the SATT SE, and the CNRS and are in the maturation phase. In addition, IFR members are also present on the scientific boards of SMEs and maintain public-private collaborations and partnerships.
This way, the richness and diversity of thematics within the research units that form the IFR MARRES are put at the service of socio-economic and territorial development in the field of marine resources.
SCIENTIFIC MEDIATION
An important aspect of research is the approximation with the general public to exchange and share discoveries in order to make society aware of the major challenges we must face; Our most important focus is the climate change case and its effects on the marine environment and its inhabitants.
'We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.', is a quote from Jacques Cousteau that underlines the importance of sharing knowledge and exchanging with the general public on issues related to the marine world. The role of the oceans in the climate, its vital functions for mankind, its fragility, its limits and the innovative solutions that can reduce human pressure on marine resources are non-exhaustive examples of scientific topics to be shared with society.
In this context, the members of IFR MARRES lead awareness actions by participating in and organizing regular events (e.g. Fête de la Science) as well as conferences and debates to bring schools and the general public closer to marine sciences. The actors of IFR MARRES are also active members and exchange/collaborate often with local, national and international non-profit environmental associations. The objective is to raise awareness and initiate discussions as well as to set up participatory science projects in order to open up scientific culture on marine resources to the general public.
The interactions between scientists, local associations and the general public allow to reinforce the territorial anchorage of the IFR MARRES and to emphasize the local responsibility of the Université Côte d'Azur.
MARRES to the world is the student association of the MSc MARRES.
Created in 2021, the objective of the students is to raise public awareness of environmental causes, focusing on marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean. In a process of developing actions with the local population, the teams of MARRES to the world want to highlight personalities, who have shown a particular involvement for the environment and open a space for dialogue between students and field actors. Finally, through a public awareness approach, they wish to facilitate access to quality information, with the aim of encouraging the adoption of sustainable behaviors for the environment.