#10 Eliesh SD: Ocean Lab summerschool at University of Côte d'Azur (IMREDD)

In this episode of Ocean Collaborations, Jan Maisenbacher speaks with Eliesh about the first future experimental lab “5 oceans- 5 colonies” at Mediterranean Institute of Risk, Environment and Sustainable Development (IMREDD) of University of Côte d’Azur.

Jan met Eliesh twice at events in Nice in June.

They also reflect upon “OcéanoFuturismos - a Science Fiction prototyping future Ocean imaginaries Workshop” from TBA21. And upon “One health: Well-Being and Sustainability in the Blue Economy” (which was a side-event during UNOC at IMREDD).

The conversation emphasizes the need to listen to the ocean and learn from its ecosystems, while courageously exploring future potentials as well as the importance of collective action in an era of not-knowing whats next.

Takeaways

* Innovative thinking is necessary for future ocean living.

* Understanding the interconnectedness of systems is essential.

* The future allows for disruptive thinking and new possibilities.

* Embracing technology can enhance our understanding of sustainability.

About Eliesh

Eliesh is a lifelong learner and transdisciplinary practitioner working at the intersection of architecture, sustainable urban transitions, education, the arts, and research across both the Global South and North. He also serves as a UNESCO ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) expert for the SDGs, with a particular focus on youth empowerment.

Throughout his career, Eliesh has bridged science, formal, non formal and informal education, and hands-on practice to continually reinvent himself. This fusion allows him to adopt multiple perspectives, embrace innovative approaches to design and experimentation, draw inspiration from biomimicry and nature observation, and implement forward-thinking sustainability & regenerative strategies.

In his university teaching and through the ODDD community, he uses interactive and participatory methods to inspire, engage, and co-create ideas. As a human being and professional, he is committed to participatory transformation, advocating for global citizenship and working to dissolve all forms of borders—conceptual, disciplinary, and geographical.

He is currently based at IMREDD (Mediterranean Institute of Risk, Environment and Sustainable Development) in Nice, France, where he leads the Future Human Habitat project. This initiative explores probable, possible, and plausible futures for 2065 through a unique methodology that blends scientific research, horizon scanning, collective intelligence, and disruptive foresight. By leveraging natural, collective, and artificial intelligences—and using backcasting and creativity as core drivers—he works to reduce cognitive bias, accelerate systemic transitions, and scale transformative innovation

Eliesh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliesh-sd-a1720b16

[email protected]

Details about mentioned events:

* Future Experimental Lab 5 oceans - 5 colonies: https://imredd.fr/summer-school/5-oceans-5-colonies-sculpting-future-living-on-and-below-water/ Video outcomes on youtube: https://youtube.com/@futureexperimentallab?si=hYM5VUOBBOB3b7Nb

* One Health: Well-Being and Sustainability in the Blue Economy (official UNOC side event, June 5–6, 2025): Co-organized with the Research Center on Advanced Technologies for Health and Well-Being at the San Raffaele University Hospital in Milan, the event brought together French, Monegasque and Italian institutions, researchers and businesses to explore concrete cross-border collaborations in support of a sustainable blue economy, closely connected to well-being and quality of life issues. Two days of high-level exchanges at the intersection of science, innovation and public policy.

https://imredd.fr/en/2025/07/07/looking-back-on-the-one-health-well-being-and-sustainability-in-the-blue-economy-event-a-success-for-franco-monegasque-italian-cooperation-around-the-blue-economy/

For more info about One Health reach out to Roberta Pennucci - [email protected]

* TBA 21 Workshop (4 June 2025): OcéanoFuturismos - Science Fiction prototyping future Ocean imaginaries Workshop: https://tba21.org/oceanimaginaries

Addional links from Eliesh:

* Future Human Habitat (FHH) User experiences for smart life: home & mobility chair - link: https://chaire-ux.imredd.fr/habitat-du-futur