UNESCO Chair “Ocean and Sustainable Coastline” La Rochelle Université > Research and Innovation > Chairs > UNESCO Chair “Ocean and Sustainable Coastline” Published on 26 January 2026 The UNESCO Chair in Ocean and Sustainable Coastline at La Rochelle Université aims to address the major scientific, social and environmental challenges facing coastal and marine areas in a context of global change. It is based on an interdisciplinary, partnership-based and international approach. The Unesco Chair launch symposium will take place from 28 to 30 April 2026 ! In 2025, La Rochelle Université was awarded a UNESCO Chair in Ocean and Sustainable Coastline, as part of the UNESCO/Unitwin programme and in the context of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). This chair is in line with the University’s commitment to open, responsible and committed science in the heart of coastal territories. The objectives of the UNESCO Chair “Ocean and Sustainable Coastline” Supported by an interdisciplinary team and open to the international community, the chair’s mission is to: 1. Improving the resilience of coastal communities to marine hazardsDevelopment of a public decision-making support model based on vulnerability trajectories in French territories (metropolitan and overseas), Africa, and Asia. This project is supported by the ExcelLR investment program for the future (2026–2029). 2. Generating and disseminating interdisciplinary oceanic knowledge Creation of an open science portal on the ocean system, integrating oceanographic data, monitoring of marine mammal populations, and marine pollution in polar environments. The UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Oceans and Coastal Areas relies on the Urban & Coastal Lab La Rochelle (UCLR) platform to disseminate and promote research products in accordance with the principles of open science. Publications resulting from certified projects are deposited on HAL, and research products (data, models, tools) are referenced and accessible via the institutional catalog, ensuring their visibility, sustainability, and reuse. 3. Contribute to the implementation and respect of the principles of climate and environmental justice in coastal and marine areas most exposed to marine risks4. Encourage responsible research and innovation adapted to societal needs and better management and protection of the coastline and ocean Contribution to research, training, and mediation programs related to the Esprit de Velox initiative (2025–2027), for better sustainable coastal management. The chair's actions and resourcesTheses “Modélisation du Niveau Marin Relatif via une librairie python (SL_C0de) et application à deux grands systèmes sédimentaires de la Baie du Bengale” Thesis defended on August 29, 2025 by Adrien Henry, laboratory LIENSs. “Dans les mailles du risque : caractérisation des captures de dauphins communs en Atlantique Nord-Est” Thesis defended on September 18, 2025 by Camille Deslias, PELAGIS observatory. “Balance énergétique du manchot Adélie face aux changements de glace de mer : enrichir la modélisation mécanistique par le bio-logging et les suivis à long-terme” Thesis defended on October 7, 2025 by Benjamin Dupuis, CEBC. “Performances des réseaux sans fil multi-sauts pour les environnements maritimes“ Thesis defended on November 12, 2025 by Salah Eddine Elgharbi, L3I laboratory. “Extraction d’informations pour l’intégration d’articles multidisciplinaires en vue de la co-construction de connaissances sur les zones côtières” Thesis defended on November 28, 2025 by Julien Delaunay, L3I laboratory. Recent publications “Mercury speciation and stable isotopes in emperor penguins: First evidence for biochemical demethylation of methylmercury to mercury-dithiolate and mercury-tetraselenolate complexes” Manceau A., Bustamante P., Richy E., Cherel Y., Janssen S., Glatzel P., Poulin B. (2025) First Evidence for Biochemical Demethylation of Methylmercury to Mercury-Dithiolate and Mercury-Tetraselenolate Complexes. Journal of Hazardous Materials. “20 years of tagging small cetacean carcasses in the North-East Atlantic for bycatch estimation” Peltier H., Authier M., Dabin W., Daniel P., Dars C., Demaret F., Meheust E., Ridoux V., Spitz J., Van Canneyt O. (2025) I Sink Therefore I Am: 20 Years of Tagging Small Cetacean Carcasses in the North-East Atlantic for Bycatch Estimation. Journal for Nature Conservation. “Long-Term Changes in the Winter Diet of Common Dolphins Reflects Ecological Shifts and Bycatch Dynamics in the Bay of Biscay” Faure J., Niol J., Meheust E., Spitz J. (2025) Long-Term Changes in the Winter Diet of Common Dolphins Reflects Ecological Shifts and Bycatch Dynamics in the Bay of Biscay. Ecology and Evolution. “Comment protéger l’océan ? Une petite histoire du droit de la mer” Publication for the general public by the Natural History Museum of La Rochelle reviewed by Agnès Michelot, university professor of public law and head of the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Oceans and Coastlines. “Sensing the Ocean through the Exquisite Corpse ArtScience method” Jung J., Cherkasheva A., Corporeau C., Mistry J., Narvaez D., Neilson A.L., Owens D., Parrain C., Riddell D.J., Zivian A.(2025) Sensing the Ocean through the Exquisite Corpse ArtScience method. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene. Current research projects FUTURISK project The FUTURISKS, project led by Virginie Duvat and Xavier Bertin from the LIENSs is an interdisciplinary project that aims to study coastal risks and climate change adaptation solutions in the French tropical island overseas territories. Learn more about the FUTURISK project. Projet Marine Beacon(Monitoring and elimination of bycatch of endangered and conserved species in Atlantic region) Funded by the European Union’s programme Horizon Europe , the Marine Beacon project aims to identify significant gaps in understanding the issues of bycatch of protected species (PETS) and to adopt innovative approaches to produce the knowledge and tools to better understand the risks and vulnerability related to these bycatches. Learn more about the Marine Beacon Project. Events, conferences and symposia Semaine des Humanités Océanes, from September 29 to October 5, 2025 Intercomparaison SOMLITfrom September 30 to October 3, 2025 « Romanité et Littoral » conference, from 9 to 10 October 2025 Inauguration of the exhibition « VELOX 1875 – Esprit de Velox 2025 : Le désir d’avant-garde », on 3 November 2025 on the occasion of the Assises de l’économie de la mer 2025. An opening to the international market and global scientific networks This chair is also part of La Rochelle University’s international strategy and benefits from the support of its EU-CONEXUS network, a European alliance dedicated to sustainable development in coastal cities, bringing together 9 universities. It also joins the network of UNESCO Chairs working on the same environmental, oceanic and social themes, allowing for interdisciplinary dialogue on a global scale. The Chair's partnersUniversity partnersCivil society partnersLocal partnersUniversity partners Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Vietnam) African Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience at the University of Cape Coas(Ghana) University of Hanoi (Vietnam) Federal University of Rio Janeiro (Brazil) University of Sherbrooke (Canada) Deakin University (Australia) University of Costa Rica University of Ussein (Senegal) University of Odessa (Ukraine) Civil society partners Esprit de Velox MAB France (réseau Unesco) CIDCE (International Centre for Comparative Environmental Law) Institut des affaires internationales du Québec Local partners Agglomeration of La Rochelle UNESCO club of La Rochelle Feedback on events High-level workshop in Rabat As part of the preparation for the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which was held in Nice from 9 to 14 June 2025 under the theme “Oceans: Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Stakeholders to Conserve and Use the Ocean Sustainably”, Agnès Michelot presented the University’s UNESCO Charter on Oceans and Sustainable Coastlines during the high-level preparatory workshop, co-organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection and the Embassy of France in Morocco. 3d United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) Agnès Michelot, head of the Chair, presented the Chair on 7 June 2025 at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. Learn more about this presentation. Symposium Anatomy of an Island The 13th Symposium “Anatomy of an Island – Fragility of Islands and/or Islands of Fragility: Island Lives, Contemporary Changes, and Uncertain Futures” was held from 25 to 27 September 2025 in Jelsa, on the island of Hvar. It brought together 38 researchers, offering a multidisciplinary overview of the current challenges of island life. Agnès Michelot, head of the Chair, was present. Chair's Steering Committee Agnès Michelot Head of the Chair Laurent Testut Co-head of the Chair and scientific director of SNO SONEL. Emilio Bastidas-Arteaga Florence Caurant Bleuenn Guilloux Xavier Bertin Camille Parrain Ambassador in France and Norway of the projectWomen From the Sea. Jérôme Fromageau expert of the French National Commission for UNESCO Françoise Gaill French biologist and oceanographer Dans cette rubrique Chair in Civic Engagement, Mediation, and Transition Chair in Coastal Management UNESCO Chair “Ocean and Sustainable Coastline” Chair in Cooperative Values and CSR
