UA Foundation EventBetween Tensions and Sharing: Is Water a Source of Crisis?
The June 16, 2026 de 18:00 à 20:00
As the major challenges of tomorrow require new approaches, the University of Angers Foundation is hosting this event to bring different perspectives together and explore new ways of thinking and acting. This fifth inspiring evening will focus on a major issue of our time: water.
Scarce and sometimes threatened by shortages, water is increasingly subject to the effects of climate change and is at the centre of major tensions surrounding its availability, quality, pricing, uses and conservation.
In the Pays de la Loire region, as elsewhere, these inevitable changes are testing our collective ability to maintain high water quality, ensure sustainable access to this resource, and rethink our models of solidarity.
"Faced with these challenges, researchers, local authorities, regional stakeholders and ordinary citizens must now work together to develop new solutions. It is with this in mind that the University of Angers and its Foundation are offering, through these evening events, a space to share knowledge, facilitate dialogue between stakeholders and foster collective reflection," explains Christian Roblédo, President of the University of Angers Foundation.
En Pays de la Loire comme ailleurs, ces transformations, qui s'imposent à nous, interrogent notre capacité collective à préserver une eau de qualité, à garantir un accès durable à la ressource et à repenser nos modèles de solidarité.
"Face à ces enjeux, chercheurs, collectivités, acteurs du territoire et citoyens doivent désormais construire ensemble de nouvelles réponses. C'est dans cette perspective, que l’Université d’Angers et sa Fondation proposent, à travers ces soirées, un espace pour partager les connaissances, faire dialoguer les acteurs et nourrir la réflexion collective", Christian Roblédo, président de la Fondation de l'UA.
Programme
6:00 p.m. - Pitch your research
Years of research into water. Five minutes to share their work with you!
- Water pricing and the work of the EARTH Chair (Environment, Adaptability, Risks, Transitions, Health), by Sophie Lambert-Wiber (Senior Lecturer in Public Law) and François Hourmant (Professor of Political Science)
- CVM (vinyl chloride monomer) pollution, by Gaspard Lemaire (PhD student in political science)
- Environmental health and water, by Camille Savary (Senior Lecturer in Toxicology and Pharmacology)
- PFAS: eternal pollution? by Maxime Pontié (Professor of Environmental Chemistry)
- Taking action to reclaim water in the Pays de la Loire region, by Edouard Metzger (Professor of Geology) and Grégoire Maillet (Senior Lecturer in Geography)
- Water sharing and the adaptation of agriculture in the Loire region, by Marianne Lefebvre (Senior Lecturer in Economics)
7:00 p.m. - Round table
Researchers, experts and local stakeholders will share their perspectives on water-related tensions in order to identify practical solutions and avenues for action.
A drinks reception will follow the event to allow discussions to continue.
Practical information
- When? Tuesday 16 June 2026 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where? La Passerelle building, 2 rue Joseph Lakanal, Angers
- Free, but registration required (limited number of seats)
