Internship offer m2 2026 - interfaces focus

Published on November 14, 2025 in News

Hosting an M2 intern within the ExposUM 2026 Interfaces research area

Title of the internship

Politicization of health and environmental issues: analysis of the content of the "Interfaces" program (seminar, regional projects, schools-regions) at the ExposUM Institute, University of Montpellier.

Background

The ExposUM Institute's "Interfaces" division aims to strengthen research dynamics at the interface between science and society, with a focus on the "exposome" (the set of environmental and social exposures throughout life that influence human health).

The material to be analyzed during the internship results from activities carried out by the Interfaces research group:

A permanent seminar whose sessions have been filmed and recorded, questioning the concept of the exposome and the inter- and transdisciplinary dynamics of health and environmental issues (speakers from the fields of health geography, philosophy, health sociology, communication sciences, health history, eco-citizen institutes, etc.). All sessions are available here: https://www.canal-u.tv/chaines/msh-sud/l-axe-interfaces-de-l-institut-exposum
The report on a regional school for transdisciplinary learning about health and environmental issues, which took place in Montpellier in April 2025 and brought together researchers, students, elected officials, managers, and associations. A future edition is planned in Liège, and the Interface department will be involved in co-organizing it. The intern will be invited to participate. A scientific article has also been produced.
The report of the meetings of the Montpellier Observatory on Ecology and Health Evolution (OMEES), in which the Interface axis is involved, created in 2023 by the City and Metropolis of Montpellier to bring together local authorities and research organizations and strengthen a health-environment policy integrating a One Health framework. The OMEES now brings together 150 researchers, around 50 local authority officials and as many members of agencies or consulting firms.
Reports on training workshops to promote dialogue between researchers, public actors, and civil society.
Interviews with researchers involved in dynamics at the interface between science and politics
- Patrick Allard, a researcher in toxicology at UCLA (California) interested in pesticide regulations from March to May 2026, hosted by the Interfaces research group as part of a Fulbright scholarship.
- Anita Hardon, a researcher in socio-anthropology at Wageningen University (Netherlands) interested in the concept of the anthroposome in polluted urban contexts, hosted by the ExposUM Institute as part of a fellowship.
- Researchers funded by ExposUM, particularly in connection with regional projects (vaccination, tick-borne risks, wildlife in cities, eco-citizen institute)
The outcome of the referral submitted by Covars to the ExposUM institute

This internship aims to clarify how the ExposUM Institute can contribute to public debates, collective action, and public policy at the health-environment interface within a transdisciplinary framework.

Objectives of the internship

Map and analyze the content produced by the "Interfaces" division (seminar materials, regional project reports, regional school fact sheets, etc.).
Identify the dynamics of interaction between research, companies, and public/private stakeholders in the actions carried out: methods, obstacles, levers, best practices.
Study how the axis implements the translation of research results to regional stakeholders and the translation of research requests from the social world.
Study the links between actors in the academic world and local authorities, and analyze actors, agencies, and missing levers.
Produce an analysis report (and possibly a presentation or promotional article) that proposes:
- types of content/actions
- Areas for improvement to strengthen the science/policy interface in this type of initiative and understand the barriers and levers
- recommendations for promoting content, dissemination to local stakeholders, and cross-disciplinary synergies
(Optional) Co-design or participate in the creation of promotional materials (e.g., infographics, "lessons learned" sheets, mini-webinars) for non-academic partners.

Intern's duties and responsibilities

Review of activities in the "Interfaces" area: seminars, regional projects, school-region initiatives.
Collection of available documents and materials (seminar reports, videos, project reports, action sheets, website).
Qualitative content analysis: topics covered, types of actors involved, interface modalities (researchers/public actors/civil society), territorialization, interdisciplinarity.
Drafting of a structured report, including recommendations.
Interim presentation of initial analyses to the research team.
Participation in workshops, meetings, and seminar sessions of the Interfaces research area (e.g., ongoing seminar) for field observation and data collection.
(Optional) Development of promotional material (infographics, summary for a non-academic audience, educational sheet) to be distributed via the website or at an event.

Desired profile

Master's student in political science, sociology, environmental humanities, sustainability sciences, geography, etc., with an interest in health and environmental issues, territorial governance, interdisciplinarity, the interface between research and society, and post-normal science.
Strong background in public policy (health, environment), action research, and transdisciplinarity.
Content analysis skills (qualitative and quantitative), methodological rigor.
Proficiency in office software (Word/LibreOffice, Excel/LibreOffice Calc) and ideally qualitative data analysis software (e.g., MaxQDA, Whisper).
Good written and spoken French (and preferably English).
Independence, curiosity, initiative, ability to work in a team.
Available in the city of Montpellier.

Practical details

Location: premises of the "Interfaces" division of the ExposUM Institute, part of the Eco-Health platform at the Maison des Sciences et des Humanités SUD (MSH SUD), University of Montpellier.
Duration: to be determined (4 to 6 months depending on the requirements of the Master's program).
Main contacts: Aurélie Binot and Mariline Poupaud.
Start date: to be agreed between January and March 2026.
Remuneration: according to the internship agreement in force.

Expected results

A report of approximately 30-40 pages (or equivalent) presenting analyses, typologies, and recommendations.
A promotional medium for the general public or intended for partners (computer graphics, summary sheet, etc.).
An oral presentation (30-45 min) in front of the "Interfaces" team and key partners.
(Optional) Proposal for a line of research or action to be developed by the research group following the internship (publication, regional project, seminar).

Contributions for students

Direct experience within a research institute focusing on health and environmental issues, science-society interface.
Real-life scenario involving content analysis and promotion.
Development of skills in territorial governance, interdisciplinarity, public policy, and action research.
Opportunity to network with stakeholders from research, civil society, and local authorities.
Enhancement of your resume for a career in research, local government, or health and environmental institutions.

For applications or inquiries

For any information requests: Mariline.poupaud@umontpellier.fr
If you wish to apply, please send your resume and a one-page cover letter to the same address before December 7, 2025.