The SOUND Project: An Ambitious Vision

SOUND is an academic project based on an innovative approach: it is at once an institutional/scientific transformation initiative, and a project resolutely oriented toward society.

The SOUND project is structured around three main objectives, driven transversally by three flagship thematic programs:

1.     Objective 1 – Strengthen collaboration within the Sorbonne University Alliance: develop multidisciplinary strengths, create synergies among partners around theirexpertise.
2.     Objective 2 – Put scientific results at the service of society: promote the Alliance's expertise to the general public, media, and decision-makers.
3.     Objective 3 – Develop the scientific potential of the three thematic programs: create new interdisciplinary fields to address scientific and societal challenges, and develop innovative forms of research.

SOUND is supported by the French government through the France 2030 investment plan, and implemented as part of the "ExcellencES" call for projects—supporting higher education and research institutions with ambitious transformation strategies—managed by the French National Research Agency (ANR). It is funded with €30.77 million from 2023 to 2032.

One third of the projected budget will fund doctoral and postdoctoral contracts tied to the three thematic programs, one third will go toward administrative support for knowledge-sharing activities, and the remaining third to operational and investment expenses aligned with the project’s knowledge-sharing and expertise-valorization goals.

Stakeholders

The project is led by Sorbonne University on behalf of the Sorbonne University Alliance. All members of the Alliance may contribute in various ways: scientific projects (SOUND Young Researchers program), outreach initiatives, event proposals, seminars, etc. All teaching, research staff, and students from the Alliance can propose an activity. Partnerships with associations, cultural institutions, and other socio-economic actors are encouraged.

Target audiences

The SOUND project addresses both the academic community (7 associate members and 4 partner research organizations) and society at large. Its many potential beneficiaries include: staff, students, media, institutions, companies, and the general public.

The political leadership of the project is carried by Pierre-Marie Chauvin, Vice-President for Arts, Science, Culture, and Society, with the support of Anne-Catherine Fritzinger, Deputy General Director of Services for "Knowledge Dissemination and Sharing" at Sorbonne University. Cécile Nécol serves as the SOUND project lead within the support unit for Alliance structures – DGS/CASU at Sorbonne University.

Scientific coordination

Each SOUND thematic program is led by a pair of scientific coordinators from the Alliance's academic communities, supported by three scientific committees:

• Global Health Approach:

  • Alexandre Escargueil, Professor of Biology, Researcher at Saint-Antoine Research Center – Faculty of Health Sciences, Sorbonne University

  • Jian-Sheng Sun, Professor of Biophysics, Director of the Department of Life Adaptations – MNHN

• Sustainable Worlds:

  • Yann Douze, Associate Professor of Electronics and Computer Science at Polytech Sorbonne – Faculty of Science and Engineering, Sorbonne University

  • Emmanuel Gendreau, Lecturer in Environmental Science – Researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Environment – Faculty of Science and Engineering, Sorbonne University

• Changing Societies:

  • Juliette Dross, Lecturer in Latin Language and Literature, Researcher in the “Rome and Its Renaissances” unit – Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sorbonne University

  • Caroline Michel d’Annoville, Professor of Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages Archaeology, Researcher in the “Orient and Mediterranean” unit – Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sorbonne University

Steering committee

Since its launch in early 2023, the committee has met monthly and includes representatives from Alliance institutions, the university’s three faculties, the six scientific leads, the Alliance’s General Delegate, the DGSA for Knowledge Dissemination, the support unit (CASU), the communications department, and more, to define strategic directions.

Participants include:

• Bruno Blanke (CNRS)

• Eleonora Busi (CASU – Sorbonne University)

• Pierre-Marie Chauvin

• Hervé Chneiweiss (Inserm Ethics Committee)

• Frédérique Chlous (MNHN)

• Fatou Esteoule (France Éducation International)

• Eric Fleury (INRIA Paris)

• Anne-Catherine Fritzinger

• Claude Georgel (PSPBB)

• Alexandre Guilbaud (Interdisciplinarity – Science Faculty)

• Hélène Giraudo (CNRS)

• Frédéric Lamarque (UTC)

• David Lefebvre (Faculty of Letters)

• Cécile Nécol (SOUND Project Lead)

• Emma Rochelle-Newall (IRD)

• Muriel Umbhauer (Alliance General Delegate)

• Raphaël Vialle (Faculty of Health)

• Timothy Van Zandt (INSEAD)

Permanent Guests

• Juan-Fernando Ramirez (Global Health Institute – ASU-GHI)

• Laurent Petit (Professor in Information and Communication Sciences – INSPÉ – Cross-cutting mission on “expertise/media/society”)

Expertise Teams

SOUND gradually strengthens the teams in key departments involved in knowledge dissemination: communications, science and society relations, libraries/scientometrics, and a new “Science and Participatory Research” unit. These teams implement the program's actions (youth outreach, science and society, training, media) and events.

Research Initiatives

Each year, 12 young researchers will be recruited to conduct doctoral and postdoctoral work aligned with the three scientific program priorities.

Examples of Program Actions

•     Supporting public outreach and mediation initiatives led by Alliance members
•     Annual “Youth Mediation” Call for Initiatives
•     SOUND Young Researchers programs: recruitment and scientific community building around societal challenges
•     Cultural partnerships and new participatory activities
•     Strengthening participatory research efforts

Support and Engagement Actions for Alliance Communities

•     Thematic days uniting academic engagement around topics such as youth, science, and participatory research
•     Scientific mediation training
•     A seminar: “Scientific Expertise – How to Influence Public Debate?”
•     Additional formats and sessions to come

Since 2023

• 62 actions supported and led by Alliance members
• 8 events organized by the SOUND project
• 11 young researchers recruited
• 9 project officers hired in communication, outreach, event management, scientometrics, and admin support