In October 2026, members from our International Associated Laboratory on “Critical and Transformative Approaches to Adaptation and Greening” gathered in Marseille, France. Colin Anderson, co-director of the UVM Institute for Agroecology, shared this check in about their time together and future plans:

“We had a great few days in Marseille - Michelle Nikfarjam, Anisah Madden, George McAllister and David Meek from our IFA community participated as a part of our new five-year (renewable up to 15 years) International Associated Laboratory, a collaboration between French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (known as INRAE), Institute for Agroecology at the University of Vermont, and Aix Marseille University. We gathered to meet, scheme, dream and plan for future work.

Themes from our conversations included: critical perspectives on tech and innovation; agroforestry; governance; education; as well as labor and alternative visions of health. Claire Lamine, also an IFA Affiliate, was an incredible host.

In addition to deep discussion we visited an urban farm, explored ideas for student and staff exchanges and webinars, and developed several ideas for funding proposals to support some of the emergent themes of joint interest.”

Group of people take a photo in front of mountain range
International Associated Laboratory members gather for a group photo.
two people sit at a table behind lap tops
Woman presents
Claire Lamine presents to the International Associated Laboratory during their time in Marseille.
People stand in a circle outside with mountains in a background
Protestors walk down the street holding flags
Student protests gathered in Marseille while the International Associated Laboratory was visiting.
Four people pose at a table
Michelle Nikfarjam, Claire Lamine, Colin Anderson, and Anisah Madden in Marseille after a day of International Associated Laboratory meetings.
Woman sits on an apartment balcony
Claire Lamine works from the balcony.