How to build an effective framework for cross-border collaborative researches? Such a question is at the core of the experience at the EHESS whether or not researchers are francophone. It becomes more thoughtful when researchers find themselves at the interdisciplinary frontier or at the industry-university border. Isabelle Ville, professor at the EHESS, is a sociologist of disability and has worked long in dialogue with medical practitioners in Europe and in Latin America. Toshiaki Tanaka, 2017 Valeo/CEAFJP fellow, is a physical therapist and a renowned engineer in the field of versatile devices for the elderly and disabled persons. Despite this essential contrast reflecting their respective academic backgrounds, both researchers share deep concerns about the role of social sciences in order to design adequate technological frames and to enhance social dynamics in the context of the global demographic changes. In order to stimulate dialogue between borders, they are organizing a workshop on "New Technologies of Personal Mobility in Comparative Perspective" at the EHESS on January 16th, 2018 with the kind support of Valeo. 

Abstract

Innovative pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in life innovation (LI) play a crucial role to improve quality of life, and these developments in the LI are expected to be thriving in the economy of the developed countries. New social services and manufacturing in the LI would contribute to establish sustainable social security for future super-aged society. Japanese government has set a target as approximately 50 trillion of market with 2.83 million of jobs in medical, nursing and health related service of the LI by 2020. In the promotion of the LI, it's vital to support research and development with feasibility studies for the development of personal mobility and assistive robotics for elderly in daily life, as well as to establish methodologies to implement innovative medical equipment and information technologies. The aim of this workshop is to discuss necessary factors to boost sustainable LI after sharing recent trends and views of LI researches in Japan and European Union.

Speakers

• Sébastien Lechevalier (EHESS, President of the FFJ)
• Isabelle Ville (EHESS, PHS)
• Tatsuto Suzuki (University College London)
• Jan Veneman (TECNALIA Research & Innovation)
• Toshiaki Tanaka (EHESS/2017 Valeo CEAFJP Fellow, University of Tokyo/ Hokkaido University of Science)
• Reiko Akizuki (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development)