This report is a synthesis of the reflections of the Working Group on Research and Engagement, which was set up in spring 2020 by the Centre de Compacutees en Durabilité (CCD) and the Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en é Thique (CIRE) on behalf of the UNIL Executive Board. It takes place against a backdrop of renewed interest in the issue of public engagement by academics, particularly in relation to environmental issues and discrimination. The need to conduct an in-depth study of the subject is due in particular to the involvement of a growing number of members of the academic community in public debate and militant action, as well as to the many questions put to the Directorate as a result.
It is also due to the fact that the number of members of the academic community involved in public debate and militant action is growing, as well as to the many questions put to the Directorate as a result.
It is also due to the fact that the number of members of the academic community involved in public debate and militant action is growing, as well as to the many questions put to the Directorate as a result.
It is also due to the fact that the number of members of the academic community involved in public debate and militant action is growing.
The aim of this report is to clarify the issues surrounding the involvement of researchers and to provide the management of UNIL with the keys to analysis and proposals for action. After outlining the general context of the theme and providing some background information (part 1), the report provides empirical information on the practices and perceptions of community involvement in the UNIL;engagement within the UNIL community (part 2), as well as more reflective evidence from the literature and the working group's discussions (part 3).
As part of this work, a virtual round table was organised by CCD and CIRE entitled "What role for researchers in the public debate?" on 15 June 2020.
At a time when social, environmental and health challenges are multiplying, it is more necessary than ever to reflect on the links between research and civic engagement. What role do researchers play in the public debate? Does this role imply certain responsibilities and limits? Does activism have an impact on research practices? How should a scientific institution position itself in this respect? These are just some of the questions that will be addressed in this debate.
The round table welcomed six researchers who shared their experiences and thoughts on the subject of research and commitment:
Alexandre Aebi, Professor of Agroecology, University of Neuchâtel
Oriane Sarrasin, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology, UNIL
Valérie D'Acremont, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, UNIL
Joëlle Salomon-Cavin, Research Fellow in Urban Geography, UNIL
Jérôme Goudet, Professor of Population Genetics, UNIL
Luca Fumagalli, Research Fellow in Conservation Biology, UNIL
