10th Annual IIES Science & Policy Workshop
Toulon, France
Co-hosted by the IIES and the University of Toulon, the 10th Annual Science & Policy Workshop took place in Toulon (France) from June 14-17, 2026, followed by the 9th International Graduate Student Forum on the island of Porquerolles (France) from June 18-20, 2026. This year’s events brought together delegates from across the IIES network and beyond to share research centered around the main theme of this year’s Workshop: “Environment, Economy & Society”.
Image: [From left to right] Professors Stéphane Mounier (University of Toulon), Huy Dang (IIES Co-Director), Brigitte Müller (University of Toulon) and Margaret Graham (IIES Co-Director) delivering the opening talk at the 10th Annual Science & Policy Workshop in Toulon, France.
With support from the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée, the IIES and the University of Toulon welcomed 100 participants from 22 institutions across a dozen countries. The participants included 63 students and post-docs, and 37 professors, staff, and professionals from the policy and industry sectors.
In accordance with the IIES’s mission to remove key barriers in science, the IIES provided a total of 19 students with travel awards to facilitate their participation in this year’s events. Beyond the travel awards, support was provided to participants in various forms such as accommodations, meals and organized events in an effort to lessen the financial burden of participation.
Attendees were given the opportunity to connect ahead of the workshop through an informal ice-breaker event held at the harbourfront the evening before sessions began. By encouraging informal conversations among attendees, the gathering promoted a sense of community and strengthened the collaborative dynamic of the event.
Image: Student participants chatting during a poster presentation session at the 10th Annual Science & Policy Workshop.
The first 2 days of the workshop consisted of poster presentations and talks from a variety of fields with topics related to the central theme of “Environment, Economy & Society”. The Science & Policy Workshops aim to promote interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges by providing researchers and policy makers with a platform to share their work with specialists from STEM and social sciences alike. The final day was concluded with a Gala dinner at one the region’s many beautiful vineyards.
Image: IIES Workshop attendees walking through the Domaine de la Baratonne vineyard during the cocktail hour prior to the gala dinner.
The IIES would like to thank our plenary speakers: Professor Raimund Bleischwitz, Diana Charyyeva, Professor Soledad Garcia Ferrari, and Professor Vanessa Hatje for their insightful and inspiring presentations. Their work provided an important look at a range of environmental topics, each highlighting a different perspective based on their professional background and field.
We would also like to express our appreciation to the session chairs and student time-keepers for generously volunteering their time to lead each session and help ensure that the program ran smoothly. A special thank you also goes to the organizing committee, without whom this event would not be possible. Their months of work behind the scenes were essential in ensuring a a well-coordinated and meaningful workshop experience for all involved.
Finally, the IIES is grateful to the the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée, as well as to the University of Toulon and their staff for hosting us at their facilities and helping to organize and capture our events. We are excited about our continued collaboration with the University of Toulon, an IIES partner since 2024, and look forward to building on the strong relationships established during this year’s workshop.
Image: Participants listening to a talk at the 10th Annual Science & Policy Workshop at the University of Toulon.
On the final day of the workshop, participants were invited to take part in a selection of activities which highlighted Toulon’s vibrant socio-economic activities, with a focus on the human pressures on the environment and the policies in place to safeguard the coastal environment.
Image: View from the top of the Mont Faron in Toulon, France.
The morning started off with a guided boat cruise along the Toulon harbour and surrounding coast, showcasing the region’s strong military and economic importance as well as the coast’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
In the afternoon, participants split into groups to explore the city, take a cable car up the Mont Faron, or delve into the mining museum.
9th International Graduate Student Forum
Ile de Porquerolles, France
Many of the workshop attendees also continued on to participate in the 9th International Graduate Student Forum, at L’institution de gestion sociale des armées (IGESA) on the Ile de Porquerolles, France. There, participants engaged in networking and professional development sessions and had the opportunity to explore the island and learn about Sustainable Island initiatives and labelling.
Image: A group of students on a walking tour highlighting the island of Porquerolle’s water conservation efforts.
After a ferry ride and short guided cruise around the island, the Forum started off with students splitting into smaller groups to participate in a speed-introduction session and a public speaking workshop.
Image: A group of students participating in a hands-on public speaking workshop led by actor Louis-Emmanuel Blanc during the Graduate Student Forum on the island of Porquerolles (France).
The following day started with panel talks about starting a career in academia presented by professor Mary-Claire Buell and professor Jun-Ray Macairan. The rest of the day was dedicated to a learning activity led by SMILO – Small Islands Organisation which presented the various environmental challenges faced by small islands. Students took part in a game wherein they played the part of stakeholders on a fictional island looking for solutions to a number of sustainability issues faced by small islands and planning the steps needed to apply for a Small Island Sustainability Label.
Image: Groups of students partaking in a game highlighting the environmental challenges faced by small islands and brainstorming sustainable solutions.
In the afternoon, students went on a guided walking tour of the Porquerolles island led by the parc rangers of the National Park of Port-Cros & Porquerolles. This tour highlighted the many environmental challenges faced by the island of Porquerolles, particularly in terms of coastal and water conservation.
At the end of these two and a half days, students left the island having built stronger bonds, learned new skills and developed a fresh perspective on sustainable development.
A special thank you to SMILO – Small Islands Organisation, the Parc national de Port-Cros, Louis-Emmanuel Blanc from L’étreinte and our volunteer staff & faculty for their help with the student activities for our Graduate Student Forum on the island of Porquerolles.
Image: A breathtaking view of the coastline of the island of Porquerolles.
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