PSL Week 2023 – Interdisciplinarity, Innovation & Sustainability at the Heart of Learning

PSL Week 2023 – Interdisciplinarity, Innovation & Sustainability at the Heart of Learning

Open to all PSL students, regardless of their home institution or academic path, the PSL Week allows each participant to :

• Discover new disciplines and emerging fields of study

• Customize their academic journey with targeted learning modules

• Access a broader and richer educational offering within the PSL ecosystem

During this week, students can choose from three types of modules :

• Exploratory modules, to open up to a new field

• Interdisciplinary modules, to develop cross-cutting skills

• Advanced modules, to deepen expertise in a specific domain

This year, ISIGE – MINES Paris – PSL contributed with two high-level modules focused on sustainable development, environmental innovation, and eco-responsible design.

Module 1 – Producing with Nature : Reconciling Bioeconomy and Biodiversity

Led by Thomas Beaussier – agronomist, PhD in Environmental Economics, and researcher at ISIGE – this module brought together 52 students from various PSL institutions.

Objectives of the Module :

• Understand and interconnect the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and natural resource management

• Explore the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of land use sectors and biomass-based industries

• Learn to apply technical, economic, and environmental analysis tools to production and consumption systems

• Engage in interdisciplinary group work on real-world case studies, addressing the political and social controversies surrounding these systems

This module offers a comprehensive view of how bioeconomy and ecological transition can be aligned, and trains students in systemic thinking and decision-making under complexity.

Module 2 – Eco-Design : From Environmental Impact Assessment (LCA) to Creative and Innovative Product Design

Jointly developed by Jasha Oosterbaan (ISIGE – MINES Paris – PSL), Franck Aggeri (MINES Paris) and Alexandre Fougea (designer at ENSAD), this second module welcomed around 30 students with backgrounds in design, engineering, and management.

Objectives of the Module

• Provide a cross-disciplinary approach to eco-design, bringing together theory, practical tools, and real-world applications

• Build knowledge around Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), creative design processes, and low-impact innovation

• Facilitate team-based, project-driven collaboration between engineering and design students, in partnership with sustainable companies such as Lagoped and the Coopérative Mu

A highlight of the module was the presentation of an eco-designed outdoor jacket, demonstrating:

• The added value of design thinking and creativity

• Technological and ecological innovations integrated into the garment

• The economic viability of sustainable fashion

• A significantly reduced environmental footprint

This pedagogical experience exemplifies how creativity, technical expertise, and environmental responsibility can be combined to address contemporary sustainability challenges.

PSL Week is a unique opportunity to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration and prepare tomorrow’s leaders in sustainable innovation. At ISIGE – MINES Paris – PSL, we are proud to contribute to this collective momentum toward a more resilient and environmentally responsible future.