Can a creative workshop open the way to authentic exchanges between the public and a researcher? In Come Together, we tested this idea at the Library of the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Paris.
The workshop
was part of Les Ateliers de Céline, a program led by Céline, a
facilitator known for her creative sessions built around upcycling. In
these workshops, participants design and transform everyday objects into
something new.
For Come Together, one of these creative meetings welcomed Sybille Jumeaux, a researcher specializing in sustainable food. Around the table, young people from the Feu Vert program of APSV—a scheme supporting social and professional integration—were invited to customize papier-mâché fish while talking about food, habits, and visions for the future.
A creative trigger
The manual
activity gave participants freedom to speak—or simply to focus on their
creation—without pressure. Each person joined the conversation at their own
pace, making the exchange more open and less intimidating.
An informal dialogue with a researcher
Instead of a
formal presentation, the discussion was driven by the young participants’
questions and comments. The researcher reacted directly, providing clear
answers, building on their ideas, and validating their perspectives.
A complementary duo
The workshop
succeeded thanks to the combination of skills. Céline, the creative mediator,
guided the manual activity. The researcher brought scientific expertise.
Together, they created an environment where participants felt engaged, valued,
and free to express themselves.
Why it worked
- Hands-on activity lowers
barriers:
creating something with your hands frees the mind, reduces pressure, and
sparks conversation.
- Direct contact with a
researcher: many
participants rarely meet experts. This encounter gave credibility,
recognition, and a sense of being taken seriously.
- An informal setting fosters
authenticity:
spontaneous exchanges led to honest reflections, rather than rehearsed
answers.
What we observed
This format
triggered curiosity, genuine dialogue, and new ideas—not only among the
participants but also for the mediator. It opened possibilities for “off-site”
sessions in everyday places: canteens, neighborhood centers, or even
exploring biodiversity in local parks. The creative activity became a doorway
to relevant, place-based discussions on sustainability.
Key takeaways
- Choose an activity suited to
the public’s age and interests.
- Let the expert respond to
participants’ input rather than deliver a lecture.
- Use creative practice as a tool
for expression, not just as a distraction.
In conclusion
Shifting
posture means creating a space where people build, exchange, and learn
differently. This Come Together workshop showed how a creative gesture,
combined with a researcher’s attentive listening, can spark meaningful
conversations on sustainable food.
It was a one-off
action held at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie—but one full of
lessons. We hope this format will be adapted and reproduced in future sessions
with diverse publics.