1.3 FUTURE PROJECTS The University of Liège will continue its commitment to research in support of transitions by backing interdisciplinary, participatory and forward-looking projects. Whether exploring new societal trajectories, examining the impacts of the polycrisis or structuring scientific practices in a sustainable manner, these initiatives will aim to strengthen the anchoring of research in major contemporary issues from next year onwards. TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FUTURES: THREE PROJECTS TO HIGHLIGHT SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL TRANSITIONS Launched by the University Council for Research and Development (Conseil Universitaire de la Recherche et de la Valorisation (CURV)) in collaboration with the Transitions Laboratory at ULiège, the #Transitions call for projects aims to support transdisciplinary, participatory and forward-looking research promoting fair social and environmental transition pathways. Three projects, out of the 15 submitted, were selected in June 2025 for a period of four years and will be supported by the Transitions Laboratory from autumn 2025. The first selected project, 'Concrete Transitions' (Pierre Delvenne, Faculty of Law, Political Science & Criminology) explores the political issues related to the ageing of reinforced concrete infrastructure, combining environmental history, architecture and science and technology studies. It focuses on bridges and dams in Wallonia, illustrating how material ageing is becoming a socio-political issue. The second project "ITHA" (Félix Scholtes, Faculty of Medicine) examines the impact of digital technology on the health of older people, particularly through social connections. Through a coconstructed approach, it aims to identify the conditions for digital technology which is conducive to ecological and social transitions, while by reducing vulnerabilities. Finally, the "Échos-Semois" project (Dorothée Denayer, Faculty of Science) is setting up an eco-citizen observatory in the Semois valley. It brings together scientists and local stakeholders to study human/non-human interactions with a view to shared governance and strong sustainability. The results were approved by the Board of Directors on 17th September 2025.The next #Transitions call for proposals will take place in early 2026. FIND OUT MORE TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURE FOR RESEARCH PLATFORMS Faced with declining funding, and with a view to pooling equipment and staff, which has become essential to ensure the continuity and quality of research support, discussions are underway within the Institution to establish a sustainable structure for institutional platforms. An agile, collaborative governance model focused on scientific needs is currently being defined. The transition to a sustainable model, based on common management tools, greater visibility and optimised resource allocation, has the active support of academic stakeholders. RISE (RISE@uliege.be) 14 | REPORT SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSITION AT ULIÈGE | 2024 – 2025
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