A Look Back at the 3rd Annual MRM Laboratory Day
On June 28, 2024, the MRM Laboratory welcomed its members to the third edition of its annual team-building day at Mas de Couran. Faculty members, graduate students, and administrative staff gathered in this pleasant setting for a day dedicated to reflecting on the ecological, environmental, and societal implications of our research. The day was marked by fruitful discussions, a renewed vision of our shared goals, and a strong commitment to strengthening our positive impact on the world around us. Here’s a look back at the highlights of this enriching day.
The laboratory's environmental impact.
The day began with a session focused on the laboratory’s environmental impact. Led by Christophe Coillot, a CNRS Research Engineer, and Claire Montjarret, a professor at MOMA and co-holder of the Ecocirculab Chair, this session provided an opportunity to present the laboratory’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report (BEGES) for 2023.
The discussions focused on the lessons learned from this assessment and the challenges we face in reducing our environmental footprint. Several avenues for improvement were discussed, including extending the lifespan of IT equipment, promoting sustainable transportation between the university’s various campuses, and incorporating telework into future BEGES calculations. Particular attention was given to training laboratory members on environmental sustainability, with proposals for seminars and the creation of a dedicated working group.
Environmental impact of MRM research.
The second session, moderated by Jean-Marie Courrent, Director of Labex Entreprendre, and Marlène Barreda, Associate Professor at the University of Perpignan Via Domitia, highlighted the environmental impact of the research conducted at MRM. The presentations covered a variety of topics, ranging from corporate social responsibility (CSR) to local governments’ responses to the climate emergency.
Among the speakers, Anne-Valérie Crespo-Febvay of La Poste Group shared her experience with co-responsibility dialogue, while Angélique Rodhain presented the Ecocirculab Chair and its work on the circular economy. The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers and public and private stakeholders in addressing today’s environmental challenges.
Societal impact of MRM's research.
The afternoon was devoted to the societal impact of the research, featuring presentations on innovative projects led by members of the laboratory. Ysé Commandré and Thuy Seran moderated this session, during which speakers such as Isabelle Bourdon and Patrice Van de Velde presented the Consent Chain project, which aims to improve the traceability of patient consent in clinical trials using blockchain technology.
Other topics covered included artificial intelligence in finance and accounting, presented by Christophe Chuecos Font, and the legal challenges posed by new technologies, discussed by Lyoma Kogiso, an attorney and President of the Montpellier Bar Association’s incubator.
Conclusion and Outlook.
This third edition of the MRM Lab Day was a resounding success, strengthening the cohesion within our team while opening up new prospects for the future of our research. The discussions and recommendations that emerged during the event will be essential in guiding our future efforts in the areas of sustainability and societal impact. We thank all participants for their commitment and contributions to this inspiring event, and we are already looking forward to the next edition.