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Researchers' Night in Chambéry

On September 26, come and meet researchers from USMB!

Far from the institutional setting of the university and its research laboratories, come and meet its researchers! This is a unique opportunity to meet and talk with scientists from all disciplines. On Friday, September 26, between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., a dozen researchers will take over the Eureka Gallery for a series of mini-lectures. They will share their work and memories of scientific adventures in a captivating and friendly way on the theme of "Exploring the Night."

On the agenda

Opening of the exhibition "Day on Night"

Night falls... another world is revealed. Throughout the evening, explore the night with a fresh perspective in the company of scientific mediators from the Eureka Gallery. The inauguration will be followed by refreshments from 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Mini-conferences open to everyone

Each lecture will be presented twice during the evening and will last 30 minutes ( 15 minutes of presentation followed by 15 minutes of discussion). These lectures are open to the public without prior registration. The lectures will be moderated by students from the Master's program in Heritage and Museums at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc.

To learn more about the content of the conferences, scroll down the program below.

eureka 2

Night: a new subject of history (6th-21st century)
At 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., in Room 3
By Emilie-Anne Pepy, lecturer and researcher at the LLSETI laboratory

A special time in the lives of people and the world, night has been a subject of historical study for several decades now. How can an environmental approach enrich our understanding of nocturnal practices, representations, beliefs, and knowledge about night?

Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc since 2011 and researcher at the Laboratory of Language, Literature, Societies, Cross-Border and International Studies (LLSETI/USMB).  

Her recent publications focus on environmental history and the history of science, specifically on the circulation of naturalist knowledge and scholarly botany from the 15th to the 18th century. Enthusiastic about the dissemination of knowledge, she has participated in radio programs, including "Le cours de l'histoire" on France Culture.  

Thermal vision: when night becomes visible
At 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., in Room 2
By Pascale Balland and Fatouma Mbissine Diouf, lecturer-researcher and doctoral student at the SYMME laboratory

Thanks to infrared cameras, humans can now see better at night than owls.
Come and try one out and discover its unexpected applications: monitoring herds, buildings, etc.

A lecturer and researcher at the Systems and Materials for Mechatronics Laboratory (SYMME/USMB) since 2002, Pascale Balland also headed up the Scientific Culture mission at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc between 2016 and 2024.  

Passionate about sharing knowledge, she teaches mechanics and materials science at the Annecy campus, while also supporting doctoral students for several years in their preparation for the MT180 (My Thesis in 180 Seconds) public speaking competition. 

How do plants respond to light pollution?
At 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., in Room 1
By Geneviève Chiapusio and Mégane Jeanmougin, lecturer-researcher at CARRTEL and doctoral student at LEHNA

Aquatic plants in lakes and rivers often have a nocturnal environment lit by artificial lights. This is known as nocturnal light pollution. What are the effects of this light pollution on plants? What are the consequences for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems?

A professor at the University of Mont Blanc (USMB) and researcher at the Alpine Research Center on Trophic Networks and Limnic Ecosystems (CARRTEL) since 2019, Geneviève Chiapusio's research focuses on the impact of climate change and pollution on plants and their ecosystems, as well as the search for natural solutions to protect and restore aquatic environments.  

On these topics, she has participated in conferences for the general public, such as "Amphi Pour Tous" and a science café called "Entre Midi et Science." 

Night and witchcraft in Savoie
At 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., in room 3
By Jean-Yves Champeley, lecturer and researcher at LLSETI

Emblematic figures of the night, who are witches really? Is our perception of them different from reality? Let's demystify (or not!) these evil characters with their many magic potions and discover the true story behind the witch hunts in Savoie...

Associate Professor of Modern History at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc and researcher at the Language, Literature, Societies, Cross-Border and International Studies Laboratory (LLSETI/USMB),  

A specialist in rural and urban societies in modern France, his work focuses in particular on community rituals, local justice, and witchcraft practices. He has also co-organized several study days, notably on witchcraft trials in the Savoy region and on fantastical beings in the Alps. 

Animals of the Night in Savoie
At 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., in Room 2
By Vincent Miele, research engineer at LECA

Some animals are active during the day, others at night... but is it really that simple? From the slopes of Les Bauges to cities, why do so many animals choose the night: habits, interactions, human presence, climate? And how can we unlock the secrets of this nocturnal life that our eyes cannot see?

A researcher at the Alpine Ecology Laboratory (LECA/USMB) since 2023 and a research engineer at the CNRS since 2016, Vincent Miele has an academic background in mathematics and computer science, which he puts to good use in ecology projects.  

He participates in LECA's photographic trapping methods and is also interested in environmental ethics. On this subject, he took part in a round table discussion in 2023 on ethics and the uses of new technologies for monitoring biodiversity. 

Spotlight on light pollution
At 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., in Room 1
By Fabien Malbet and Julien Milli, researchers at IPAG

It was in the 19th century that astronomers first noticed the presence of a luminous halo in the sky. They were the first to express concern about the impact of light pollution on stargazing. What is the situation today, nearly two centuries later?

Director of research in astrophysics at the Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics of Grenoble (IPAG/CNRS/UGA) since 2011, Fabien Malbet is particularly interested in the formation, evolution, and characteristics of young stars and planets outside our solar system.  

Popular articles The Conversation, scientific events at LabEX FOCUS, and conferences for the general public, he actively participates in disseminating knowledge in his field. 

On the trail of a nocturnal shrimp in our alpine lakes...
At 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., in room 3
By Hervé Rogissart, PhD student at CARRTEL

When night falls, a small red shrimp rises from the depths of Lake Bourget to feed at the surface. Despite its small size, this invasive species disrupts the entire ecosystem of the lake!

Hervé Rogissart is currently a doctoral student at the Alpine Center for Research on Trophic Networks and Limnic Ecosystems (CARRTEL/USMB) at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc and is working alongside Jean Guillard on the adaptive characteristics of cold-water fish in the face of global warming. 

Nighttime: a window onto the galaxies
At 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., in Room 2
By Nathan Amouroux, doctoral student at the Annecy Laboratory of Particle Physics (LAPP)

At night, we can see the Moon, the stars, and even galaxies. With their eyes fixed on the sky, physicists track these clusters of stars in an attempt to unravel the mysteries of the Universe. In the light of the galaxies, between space and time, lie well-kept cosmic secrets...

With a master's degree in subatomic physics and cosmology from the University of Grenoble Alpes, Nathan Amouroux is now a doctoral student at the renowned Annecy Laboratory of Particle Physics (LAPP).

Since 2023, he has been participating in an astronomical observation project led by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, working in particular on tools for detecting galaxy clusters.

Dreams and reality: what really happens when we sleep?
At 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., in room 1
By Pascal Hot, professor and researcher at the Laboratory of Psychology and Neurocognition (LPNC) 

Every night, when our eyelids close, our brain remains active. Sleep takes up nearly a third of our lives. But what do we know about sleep? Why is it essential? What are dreams? Between fatigue, sleep, dreams, and wakefulness, let's take a look behind the scenes of the night.

 

A professor of neuropsychology at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc since 2015, Pascal Hot closely studies emotions and their functions, as well as sleep and its relationship to memory disorders. A laureate of the Institut Universitaire de France, he teaches affective sciences and neuroscience and shares his knowledge through various scientific culture initiatives.  

He published an article on his research in The Conversation in 2023 and participated in a science café on daylight saving time and its impact on our biological clock. He is currently Vice President of Research at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc. 

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