Forum « The Great Switch »

Forum outputs

• Report (coming soon)
• Presentation materials (coming soon)

The forum explored how science, territories, and society can jointly design credible and desirable transition pathways and governance models, structured around four key themes:

Embedded in the ITI SWITCH framework and its Living Labs, the SWITCH Forum showcased cutting-edge scientific knowledge, territorial innovations, and concrete cooperative approaches. This dynamic was further strengthened by the Water Family, the Cross-border Water and Sustainability Chair, and the PEPR OneWater programme, which together foster new governance models, highlight inspiring field experiences, and support operational solutions to enhance water resilience in the Upper Rhine region.

Water & Biodiversity Focus
 11/03 | 16h-17h30

• How can aquatic ecosystems be preserved in the context of land-use change and global environmental pressures?

• Canalised rivers, degraded wetlands, and overexploited aquifers highlight the major challenges of ecosystem restoration under conditions of intensive anthropogenic pressure. 

• This raises key questions regarding renaturation, nature-based solutions, and the legal recognition of ecosystems.

Keynote

Jean-Nicolas BEISEL

Territorial feedback: “A decade of ecological and geomorphological monitoring in a regulated section of a major river: the Old Rhine.”

• Cybill STAENTZEL, RESTORE Living Lab
• Agnès Barillier, EDF

Round table: “Preserving, managing, and restoring aquatic ecosystems: barriers and levers”

• Guillaume Stinner, Plan Rhin Vivant
• Elodie Giuglaris, BRGM
• Frédéric Schaeffer, Bruche Mossig

Moderation : Cybill STAENZEL

Crossed perspectives

Citizen engagement and scientific research: convergences and tensions
 11/03 | 17h30-18h45

Jean-Yves Georges (CNRS, IPHC)
Cybill STAENZEL (University of Strasbourg, LIVE)
Adrien SAPHY (PhD candidate, forest ecosystem biogeochemistry)

Moderation: Anne Mellier (journalist)

In the context of environmental crises, many researchers engage publicly or alongside civil society. This raises key questions about scientific legitimacy, public positioning, and the balance between advocacy and objectivity.

While some perceive a risk of blurring boundaries between science and activism, others argue that such engagement strengthens the societal relevance of research. This discussion highlights the need for an evolving ethical and institutional framework that recognises engagement as part of scientific practice while ensuring transparency and rigour. It represents a step toward a renewed science–society contract.

Film screening

The Invisible River: a hidden treasure beneath the Rhine plain – Serge Dumont
 11/03 | 19h-20h30

In partnership with the Jardin des Sciences

Introduction by Serge Dumont (Senior Lecturer, University of Strasbourg)

Beneath the Rhine plain flows an invisible river: a groundwater ecosystem where water and life circulate through hidden pathways. In rare locations, it emerges under pressure, forming crystalline streams that host unique biodiversity. This fragile system is threatened by invasive species, intensive agriculture, and water abstraction.

Through his work as both researcher and filmmaker, Serge Dumont documents aquatic ecosystems, particularly gravel pit landscapes in Alsace, in collaboration with the Ried Bleu association.

The film reflects the work of ITI SWITCH, where researchers, stakeholders, and Living Labs study the preservation and sustainable management of aquatic environments and their interactions with human uses.

Water & Sustainable Economy Focus
 12/03 | 9h-10h30

• Can water be simultaneously a vital resource, a common good, and a driver of economic transition?

• Balancing water scarcity, social equity, and economic innovation is central to sustainable transformation pathways.

• Can water become a driver of transition that generates value without becoming a source of conflict or speculation?

Keynote

Anne Rozan

Territorial feedback: “Water management and sustainable agriculture in Alsace: agro-economic models under climate change”

• Sylvain PAYRAUDEAU (WEFE Living Lab)
• Franck HUFSCHMITT (SDEA)

Round table: “Transforming agricultural systems under global change: economic challenges, responsibilities, and levers for action”

• Pascal Vauthier (AERM)
• Samuel Bonvoisin (Association for regenerative hydrology)
• Sébastien Boyer (EMS)

Hydrostalgia of our liquid bodies
 12/03 | 13h30-14h

By reinterpreting the figure of the Lorelei, a mythical character from the Rhine imagination, this performance explores “hydrostalgia”: an emotional connection to the fragility of hydrosystems.

This reading performance is part of an ongoing art–science research project developed with the CréaLab of the University of Strasbourg.

By LEFEBVRE ZISSWILLER, (artists)
The duo works across documentary and speculative visual practices, exploring human–environment relationships.

*The CréaLab is an initiative of the OPUS Hub (Open University of Strasbourg), developed in close collaboration with the Jardin des Sciences and the University’s Cultural Action Service. The OPUS project has received state funding managed by the French National Research Agency (ANR) under the “Investissements d’Avenir” programme (reference ANR-21-IDES-0003).

Water & Climate Focus
 12/03 | 14h-15h30

• How can territories adapt to extreme hydrological regimes?

• Heatwaves, droughts, and floods require new approaches to spatial planning and water governance. 

• Adaptation, sobriety, and anticipation are key strategies for building resilience.

Keynote: Understanding risks to prepare the future

Mário J. Franca (Hydraulic engineering and water resources management)

Territorial feedback: “Mountain water cycle: study, disruption, and sharing”

• Marie-Claire PIERRET / Noémie EHSTAND
• Marie-Paule GAY (Mayor of Aubure), Eliabel SAYS

Round table: “Hydrosystems under pressure: adaptive management under uncertainty”

• Mário J. Franca,
• Carmen de Jong,
• Marie-Claire Pierret,
• Adrien Wanko.

Industry & sustainability round table (PUI-A): Adapting businesses to sustainability requirements.
 12/03 | 14h-15h30

This session highlights how companies can contribute to sustainable water and hydrosystem management. It also explores collaborations with ITI SWITCH Living Labs and research projects, illustrating co-production between academia, industry, and territorial stakeholders.

Participants:

• Marie-Christine Huau (VEOLIA)
• Alicia Adrovic (SOPREMA)
• Jérôme Mougel (ODYSSEE ENVIRONNEMENT)

Moderation: Christophe Kahlfuss (PUI-A innovation officer)

IDIP Workshop

Manifesto for improving interdisciplinary sustainability education
 12/03 | 15h45-18h00

A participatory workshop supporting the University’s strategy, in collaboration with IDIP.

Animation: Renata Jonina & Salomé Desanges

Do you consider interdisciplinary thinking an asset for addressing sustainability challenges? Are you questioning how interdisciplinary teaching is implemented in practice? Do you have experience or ideas to share on this topic?

Whether you are a lecturer, PhD candidate, or professional engaged in sustainability issues, this collaborative workshop is designed for you.

Participants will exchange with peers, explore practical feedback, and contribute to the University’s strategy by helping draft a note aimed at developing interdisciplinarity in sustainability education at the University of Strasbourg (Unistra).

Serious Game : Speaking as a proxy for non-humans in defending the rights of the Rhine 
 12/03 | 16h-18h

The Rhine River has been shaped by human-centered management. This interactive session invites participants to form a “river parliament/assembly", representing non-human species—including the river itself—to envision its future.

Through role-play and discussion, the workshop explores river governance from non-human perspectives and envisions a  restoration plan that centers their rights.

This serious game is organised by Yixin Cao and Thomas Wendt, postdoctoral researchers, bringing together expertise in water governance, environmental justice, and participatory methods.