ICARES: Global Health and Environment

ICARES – Institute for Understanding, Anticipation, and Intervention in Environment and Global Health is an interdisciplinary structure dedicated to the challenges of global health and environment. ICARES contributes to structuring and enhancing research in human and social sciences in response to the major contemporary issues of global health and environment.
On the occasion of the Science Festival 2026, ICARES supports the presentation of four scientific posters that illustrate the diversity of research and collaborations conducted on the theme of healthy and sustainable eating.
To be found in Hall 1

1. Epidaure Market: in my cart, I take care of my health...and the planet!
   Come discover Epidaure Market, a virtual supermarket and playful materials designed by researchers and field professionals, to raise awareness among young people about the challenges of sustainable eating. From the presentation of the research program, you will explore the behind-the-scenes of its design and the results of its scientific evaluation with hundreds of students. A demonstration of the game will be offered at the booth!
   ICARES - Epsylon and Epidaure Market

2. Mediation of food knowledge at school and in the cafeteria
   Through the presentation of this research-intervention, discover food as a cultural, political, media, and educational object by diving into primary school cafeterias. In co-construction with stakeholders in food education, this ethnographic approach allowed us to observe the practices, representations, and connections to food developed by children aged 3 to 11 in these cafeterias. What mediations, what emotions, or what social norms are conveyed, and what reactions do these food knowledge provoke in children? These dynamics of participatory research have led to the design of educational tools focused on cooking at school. This action is part of a public health policy and ecological transition initiated by the City of Montpellier.
   ICARES - LERASS

3. Should we ban meat from our plates?
   Eating less meat: is it a good idea? In Europe, consumption is decreasing and vegetarianism is on the rise, especially among young people. But behind this evolution lies a complex debate where ethical, health, environmental, economic, and food security issues intersect. While intensive farming is criticized for its environmental impact, some extensive farming practices play a positive role for soils, biodiversity, and territories. Meat also contributes to the nutritional balance of populations, particularly in the Global South. So, should we eat less meat or produce and consume better? The answer is far from being a simple "for or against"...
   ICARES, Agropolis, and Cirad

4. Global food security: the scientific action of Embrapa
   Discover the applied research "from field to post-harvest" of Embrapa, a Brazilian public agronomic research company and its laboratory "Labex Europa" located in Montpellier. Embrapa develops concrete technologies to meet the needs of large farms and family farmers in the face of major challenges such as climate change, market instability, resource constraints (soil and water), and health risks. How to protect the livelihoods of rural actors and support more efficient and safer value chains? Embrapa's action proposes solutions: adapting crops to tropical and subtropical conditions through genetics, practicing direct seeding for respectful management of soils and water, innovating in animal health and production, and preserving the nutritional value of food through post-harvest solutions.
   Labex Europa Icares

Find all practical information and plan your visit.