Iméra is continuing its “Ouvertures” lecture series for the 2026-2027 academic year. One meeting a month, each time featuring one of our residents, who will give you an overview of their research, conducted openly and honestly.
A time when freedom of research and creation is under attack
At a time when freedom of research and creation is under attack without precedent in recent history, Iméra – the Institute for Advanced Study of Aix Marseille Université – is defending a noble tradition of opening up the horizons to all forms of knowledge.
From its origins in Princeton in 1930 to the present day, an Institute for Advanced Study has always represented a place open to researchers and ideas from all over the world, without any form of limitation or prohibition linked to their origin or content. A place of international, intercultural and interdisciplinary hospitality for scientists and artists, including those whose research or even lives are threatened by any form of authoritarian or repressive power.
A lecture series to keep an open and bright space
The Ouvertures lecture series is aimed at teacher-researchers, doctoral students and curious and passionate citizens, with the firm intention of keeping open and bright a space of intelligence, curiosity and collective discovery in an increasingly dark age, in which these kinds of spaces are shrinking or disappearing.
In the Ouvertures lectures, international scientists and artists in residence at Iméra will offer an insight into their research on sensitive subjects, conducted without taboos and with honesty.
The themes for the 2026–2027 events will be announced soon!
The 2026–2027 lecture series will take place on one Thursday per month from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm between November 2026 and February 2027.
Three sessions will be held at Iméra in the Maison des Astronomes. One session will take place off-site at the Friche la Belle de Mai.
Anti-racism (and racism), disease (and women’s bodies), the price of democracy (between energy and economic crises) are subjects that are not well tolerated by any authoritarian regime. Discussing this type of research publicly is a good sign of academic freedom and democratic health.
Registration is required to attend these conferences
Venue: Maison des Astronomes conference room, Iméra, 2 place Leverrier 13004 Marseille
An initial exchange to continue exploring together afterwards
At a time when freedom of research and creation is more threatened than ever, these conferences are intended to be a first meeting open to all those who share a passion for knowledge and free speech, demanding discussion. The hope is that these first meetings will be the prelude to successive meetings between the speakers and the participants, who will want to continue to explore the themes discussed together.
- Ouvertures lectures take place one Thursday a month from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. They are held in French.
