Science and alpine tourism under the microscope

From November 24 to 26, the study days “Scientific culture and tourism transition: what’s at stake for Alpine regions?” will be held by videoconference.

Can the development of scientific tourism in the mountains, through different types of projects, be a relevant response to the challenge of ecological transition? What benefits, but also what tensions, can these projects generate beyond an apparent consensus, between democratic, environmental, cultural and economic issues?

At a time when the “all-ski” model is running out of steam and the mountains are at the forefront of the effects of climate change, can these areas become open-air experimental laboratories for implementing this transition?

Field workers and researchers will cross-examine each other on a number of themes: the relationship between scientific culture and tourism, past and present; the example of the Hautes-Alpes and the Southern Alps, with particular reference to astro-tourism; and the way in which protected areas are accommodating – or not – projects linked to scientific tourism.

The conference is part of the Maestro research program “Mountains, communication and astronomy: public issues around science and tourism”, coordinated by Mikaël Chambru (Gresec) and supported by Labex ITTEM. They also echo the training activities of the Pôle Universitaire de Gap’s Master’s degree in Sustainable Management of Mountain Territories and the UGA’s Master’s degree in Scientific and Technical Communication and Culture.

Find out more about these study days on the Maestro project website.