The Rennes Institute of Political Studies has just announced the creation of the interdisciplinary research and training chair Acting to preserve the habitability of the Earth. Gaëlle Petit, lecturer at Sciences Po Rennes and holder of the chair, explains this approach that she wants to be multidisciplinary.
Why create this new university chair?
Faced with major transitions, particularly climate-related, we must question our activities to preserve the habitability of the Earth. This new chair will conduct research around three main themes: food sovereignty, the circular economy and territorial metabolism, and the preservation of living things. Our ambition is to conduct research there, to produce original results, to be promoted.
What collaboration with other establishments?
This work is being carried out in collaboration with the École nationale supérieure (ENS Rennes), the École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), the University of Rennes and the Institut Agro Rennes-Angers. The multidisciplinary approach is essential, because transitions also interest economic players and public decision-makers. Talking about food means talking about living things. In our regions, we are thinking in particular of agri-food companies that will have to adapt.
How can we also address the general public?
We want to address a wide audience, not to think alone in our corner. This is the spirit of the Sciences Po Rennes campus, which aims to be open to the world. A scientific and cultural program will therefore be offered from the start of the school year, with conferences, exhibitions, meetings, etc.
