Science Spring at UNamur: The 2026 Edition, Driven by Curiosity… and a Visit from Raphaël Liégeois

Coordinated at the Wallonia-Brussels Federation level by Sciences.be, the Printemps des Sciences aims to bring science and technology closer to the general public. Throughout Wallonia and Brussels, universities, colleges, and research centers opened their doors to offer a fresh perspective on science through workshops, meetings, and lectures.

At UNamur and in the Province of Namur, Confluent des Savoirs coordinated all activities with a varied program designed for both school classes and the general public. Among the highlights organized on campus (and in partnership with venues in Namur) were:

• What Does a Career in Chemistry Lead To? – a session to explore career paths and opportunities in chemistry.
• Journey to a Black Hole – a public lecture exploring the mysteries of black holes.
• “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” and the death of creativity in the age of AI? – a play-conference at the intersection of video games, creativity, and artificial intelligence.
• Night at the Museum – an escape game organized by third-year mathematics students to investigate their mathematics museum.
• Astronomy Saturday – an afternoon and evening of activities and discoveries centered on stargazing (ages 8 and up).

In this program, the meeting with Raphaël Liégeois was a particularly unifying moment, linking space exploration, fundamental research, and inspiration for younger generations.

Invited as part of the Printemps des Sciences, in collaboration with ESA and BELSPO, Raphaël Liégeois came to share his career journey and his preparation for space missions, engaging with students (from 9th to 12th grade), the academic community, and the general public. “What if the space adventure began… here, today, in this auditorium?” suggested Annick Castiaux, as a prelude to the conference. 

For over an hour, Raphaël Liégeois took the time to open up about his experience and journey, speaking of his childhood dreams, his academic path, his motivations, and his doubts. “It’s a privilege to have a project that inspires and motivates me so much,” he emphasized. The astronaut also detailed the training he has been undergoing for the past three years to prepare for his space mission aboard the ISS, scheduled for 2027. During this mission, Raphaël Liégeois will conduct a scientific experiment in collaboration with UNamur. The BeBlob project focuses on the survival capabilities of a single-celled organism, the “blob.”