The research conducted in theme 2 concerns knowledge: how it is constructed, preserved, renewed and put to practice by its participants. Biological resources (maritime and plant) constitutes a privileged and multidisciplinary field of study.

Research theme heads: Sylviane Llinares, Cristiana Oghina-Pavie, Nathalie Richard

Subjects and concepts

On the one hand, in terms of knowledge and perceptions of biological resources, the aim is to compare knowledge and practices; in other words, to draw parallels between the processes of knowledge acquisition and the techniques of processing, as well as modes of exploitation and consumption. On the other hand, in terms of societies and their evolution, the aim is to identify the cultural diffusion, technical exchanges and economic flows that biological resources have generated over the long term, from antiquity to the present day. Particular attention is paid to the relationship that develops between tradition and innovation, between continuity and rupture, drawing upon and bringing together different forms of knowledge and a diverse range of actors. The involvement of enthusiasts and technicians in the processes of co-constructing scientific knowledge and promoting technical, professional and experiential know-how should enable us to better understand how knowledge is formed and how it is utilised. The persistence, fading, or even extinction of knowledge and practices raises questions about the forms, media and channels through which they are transmitted over time.

Two main thematic areas are explored: plant resources and marine resources. The section on plant resources analyses the relationship between horticultural practice and the life sciences, and examines the interactions between botany and agronomy on the one hand, and society on the other; the section devoted to marine and coastal resources explores the themes of sustainable use and overexploitation, examines areas of conflict surrounding the sharing and monitoring of resources, as well as the disagreements that arise from the formulation of assessments, expert reports and their political implications. The understanding, inventory and transformation of resources lead us to assess the existing forms of synergy between scientific and commercial issues and cultural foundations within the large-scale circulation of biological materials and products.

These various areas of analysis lead us to consider the major societal challenges of today (sustainable development, food, health, well-being, etc.) by applying a long-term perspective to these issues, which encompass the dimensions of resource use through the rediscovery of ancient technical and cultural practices.

Voir aussi dans «Research»

1. Childhood, gender and self: individualities and subjectivities in motion The research conducted in theme 1 concerns the construction of the individual throughout history by mobilising two entries as a priority, age and gender, and by the methodological use of personal archive documents. Research theme heads: Hervé Guillemain, Véronique Mehl, David Niget 3. Communities and pluralities: authorities, violences and coexistences By confronting multiple fields of study, the research conducted in theme 3 concerns the possible balance between the collective interest and the existence of diversity within any given group, community or between communities (political, religious, economical, cultural). Research theme heads: Vincent Corriol, Thomas Deswarte, Marie Lezowski, Hélène Vu-Thanh