Review of the 3rd Edition of the MRM Laboratory Day
On June 28, 2024, the MRM laboratory welcomed its members for the third edition of its annual bonding day at Mas de Couran. Lecturers, PhD students and administrative staff gathered in this pleasant setting for a day dedicated to reflection on the ecological, environmental and societal challenges of our research. The day was marked by fruitful exchanges, a renewed vision of our common goals, and a clear determination to strengthen our positive impact on the world around us. Here's a look back at the highlights of this enriching day.
Ecological impact of the laboratory.
The day began with a session devoted to the laboratory's ecological impact. Hosted by Christophe Coillot, CNRS Research Engineer, and Claire Montjarret, Professor at MOMA and co-holder of the Ecocirculab Chair, this session presented the laboratory's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Balance (BEGES) for 2023.
Discussions centered on the lessons learned from this assessment and the challenges to be met in order to reduce our ecological footprint. A number of avenues for improvement were discussed, including extending the lifespan of IT equipment, promoting soft mobility between the university's various sites, and integrating teleworking into future BEGES calculations. Particular attention was paid to training laboratory members in ecological sobriety, with the proposal of seminars and the creation of a specific working group.
Environmental impact of MRM's research.
The second session, led by Jean-Marie Courrent, Director of Labex Entreprendre, and Marlène Barreda, Senior Lecturer at Université Perpignan Via Domitia, highlighted the environmental impact of MRM's research. The presentations covered a wide range of topics, from corporate social responsibility (CSR) to local government responses to the climate emergency.
Among the speakers, Anne-Valérie Crespo-Febvay from Groupe La Poste shared her experience of 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 players in meeting today's environmental challenges.
Societal impact of MRM research.
The afternoon was devoted to the societal impact of research, with presentations on innovative projects carried out by laboratory members. Ysé Commandré and Thuy Seran led this session, where speakers such as Isabelle Bourdon and Patrice Van de Velde presented the Consent Chain project, aimed at improving the traceability of patient consents in clinical trials via blockchain.
Other topics included artificial intelligence in the legal profession, presented by Christophe Chuecos Font, and the legal challenges of new technologies, discussed by Lyoma Kogiso, lawyer and President of the Montpellier Bar Incubator.
Conclusion and outlook.
This third edition of the MRM Laboratory Day was a real success, strengthening cohesion within our team while opening up new perspectives for the future of our research. The discussions and recommendations formulated during the day will be essential in guiding our future actions in terms of sustainability and societal impact. We thank all participants for their commitment and contribution to this inspiring day, and look forward to the next edition.