Les Vulgaires Scientifiques

Committed to making science and its complexities more accessible

Week after week, on the airwaves of CHOQ.FM, UQÀM’s Web radio station, a team of enthusiastic young scientists help demystify the latest scientific news by calling upon the participation of specialists and students in the sciences. Christine Loiseau and Annie Claude Bélisle, the two students at the helm of the show, give of their time without counting the hours and have succeeded in surrounding themselves with a dynamic team.

“They show tremendous enthusiasm and autonomy, and wonderful creativity. We admire their organizational skills, their ability to constantly bring fresh ideas to their work and their extraordinary knack for popularizing the sciences,” points out CHOQ.FM director general Isabelle Mailhiot.

“Our profound conviction that science is an important part of general knowledge has prompted both of us to devote over ten hours a week to producing Vulgaires Scientifiques,” says Christine Loiseau.

Since January 2007, Vulgaires Scientifiques is the only weekly radio program on scientific information broadcast on CHOQ.FM. The aim of the show is to make science accessible to everyone while ensuring that the information is relevant and entertaining. “What began as a simple student project quickly took on significant proportions,” says Christine.

“Over the past two years, the half-hour show has carved out an enviable place for itself in the world of scientific affairs. In January 2009, the program was extended to one hour with a more comprehensive content. The Vulgaires scientifiques show has succeeded in attracting renowned scientists and obtaining the on-going collaboration of several contributors,” indicates Julie Martineau, who is in charge of communications at UQÀM’s faculty of science. “Since the creation of the show, the team have shown a great deal of originality and avant-gardism in their approach to the subjects under discussion. They also strive continuously to make improvements,” she adds.

Every show features a scientific agenda announcing must-see lectures, debates and exhibitions, a discussion on current affaires, an interview with a science student about their work, and reports on various themes. Any subject related to the sciences is a potential topic for discussion: the benefits of clear cutting, the development of new types of plastic, understanding more about the bacteria responsible for typhoid fever, etc.

“On the one hand, we try to make up-to-the-minute news and discoveries accessible and interesting, and on the other, to give listeners the most accurate information possible on controversial issues relating to the sciences,” states Christine. “To do so, the latest news published by the major media is taken up again and possible consequences are discussed with specialists. At the same time, we hope to encourage people to take an analytical stance on scientific news published by the media.”

In 2009, Vulgaires Scientifiques has succeeded in distinguishing itself in the flourishing scientific movement in Québec thanks to a dynamic team, distinguished guests and the positive repercussions is has for researchers and the student community. “Vulgaires scientifiques is an incredible springboard in terms of the university education of future scientists,” asserts Agence Science-Presse director Josée Nadia Drouin.

Les Vulgaires Scientifiques