Universcience is bringing together the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, the Palais de la découverte, and since June 2021, the Étincelles, a temporary structure created to continue activities during the Palais de la découverte’s renovation.
With 1000+ employees and 2.000.000+ visitors yearly in its physical venues, Universcience is the leading French public establishment for the dissemination of scientific culture. Under the dual supervision of France’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, it is one of Europe’s leading science centres. It provides the public with access to science through discovery and experimentation.
Values of innovation, ecological sustainability and critical thinking form the basis for its action. Developed in partnership with the scientific, teaching, artistic and industrial communities, its services extend beyond its locations in Paris to France’s regions and the world. They include exhibitions, events and festivals, conferences, children’s areas, facilities that offer resources, advice and experimentation, as well as publishing and an online platform (leblob.fr).
The Come Togther! project draws on 3 key areas of expertise at Universcience.
1. As a public service institution, Universcience develops programs targetting vulnerable, underserved or minoritized groups,to enhance the sense of inclusiveness for all. Universcience has a dedicated department responsible for guaranteeing the implementation of the high quality of use and accessibility approach in all the services offered to visitors.
2. Universcience also leads the School of mediation, a professional development centre for science explianers. Each year, this multipartenered project designs training modules, conducts studies on explainers’ practices and deliver continuing vocational training for 300 explainers from science museums, science centres and associations.
3. Sustainable development is one of the pillar of the pluriannual institutional commitement. A new, large permanent exhibition opened in 2023 to adress tha challenge of climate change fight and resiliance.
Geraldine Delaforge – Inclusive manager, Universcience
After studying physics and a master’s degree in scientific communication, Géraldine Delaforge worked as a science communicator, developing several educational programs. Géraldine is now the head of the accessibility department at Universcience. She leads the efforts in developing environments, exhibits and programmes that are truly accessible to all visitors regardless their geographic location, socio-economic status, language, gender, abilities or disabilities.
Matteo Merzagora - Director of mediation and education, Universcience
Matteo Merzagora was trained as a physicist. He worked as a teacher at the Master in Science Communication, SISSA (Trieste, Italy), and was also a lecturer on science communication in several courses in France (Université Paris Cité, PSL University), responsible for research, innovation and inclusive approaches in STEM training. He has worked as a science journalist and as a consultant on science communication projects and SiS issues, in particular for museums, and as project manager in more than 10 European science-society projects. He is the author of five books on science-society issues.
Catherine Oualian - certified trainer of the French School of Mediation
After a PhD in neuroscience and training in science communication project management, Catherine Oualian worked as an explainer. She worked as a project manager and, afterwards, a director of a scientific communication association focused on social inclusion and public participation. Catherine Oualian then joined the training centre "Ecole de la médiation" where she coordinates and conducts training for science explainers and scientists.
Isabelle Proux - coordinator of the French school of mediation.
Isabelle Proux managed the national network of technical museums and collections, RéMuT, for 10 years, and previously worked on exhibition design in Quebec and at the « Musée des Arts et Métiers » in Paris.