About Sciences Po

Antoine Courmont has established himself as a leading authority in digital urban governance and data policy research. As a lecturer at Université Gustave Eiffel's School of Urban Planning and researcher at LATTS since September 2023, he brings extensive expertise in urban digital transformation. His academic journey began with a PhD in Political Science (2016), where his thesis on Urban Data Policies won the 2017 PUCA-Apereau Urban Thesis Prize. Previously, he served as Scientific Director of the Digital Cities chair at Sciences Po's Urban School, where he developed pioneering research on digital technology's impact on territorial governance. His professional experience includes roles as a digital sociologist at CNIL Digital Innovation Laboratory (2019-2022) and mission officer at the Lyon Metropolis (2012-2017). His research examines how digital technologies transform urban governance, evidenced in his two influential books: "Gouverner la ville numérique" (2019) and "Quand la donnée arrive en ville" (2021). His current research focuses on the role of digital platforms in urban governance, particularly examining how Google Maps affects territorial governance and local markets. He has significantly contributed to understanding the intersection of digital technology, urban policy, and public administration through his work on big data, open data, and platform economics

Bertrand Badie (born 1950) has established himself as one of France's most influential political scientists and international relations theorists. As an Emeritus Professor at Sciences Po Paris, he has shaped the understanding of modern international relations through his extensive academic contributions spanning over four decades. His scholarly work includes more than 20 books, with many translated into multiple languages, establishing him as a leading voice in political science. His theoretical contributions have particularly focused on the transformation of international relations in the post-Cold War era, the evolution of state sovereignty, and the impact of globalization on international systems. As former president of the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and one of the general editors of The International Encyclopedia of Political Science, he has played a crucial role in developing contemporary political science scholarship. His research has pioneered new approaches to understanding international power dynamics, particularly focusing on the changing nature of diplomacy and state relations in the modern world. At Sciences Po, he has been instrumental in developing the international relations curriculum and has mentored numerous scholars in the field. His recent works examine critical themes such as humiliation in international relations, the transformation of global order, and the evolution of diplomatic practices in the contemporary world, cementing his position as a key figure in international relations theory.

Florence Botello serves as an academic advisor at Sciences Po's School of Public Affairs, where she holds multiple significant responsibilities in cultural education programs. Her academic background includes passing the prestigious Agrégation de lettres modernes (French national competitive examination), followed by graduate studies focusing on figures of power. She combines scholarly expertise with practical experience in performing arts, bringing a unique blend of academic and artistic perspectives to her role. At Sciences Po, she oversees several key programs including the Culture and Cultural Policy & Management streams, the dual-degree partnership between Sciences Po and École du Louvre, and the Master in Political Arts (SPEAP)

Catherine Wihtol de Wenden has established herself as a leading authority in international migration studies through her extensive work as Research Director at CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research) and professor at Sciences Po Paris. Her academic career spans over three decades, during which she has authored more than 20 books and conducted numerous field studies on migration patterns, citizenship, and mobility rights. Her expertise has been sought by major international organizations, serving as a consultant for the Council of Europe, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), and various other international bodies. From 2002 to 2008, she led the International Sociological Association's research group on migrations, significantly contributing to the field's development. Her academic influence extends beyond France, as she also teaches at the University of La Sapienza in Rome. Her research focuses on international migration, the relationship between citizenship and migration, migration policies, and the political rights of migrants. She has been particularly influential in shaping understanding of Mediterranean migration patterns and European migration policies, earning recognition through various honors including being named Officier of the Legion of Honor. Her work continues to influence both academic discourse and policy-making in the field of international migration.

Giacomo Luciani (born July 18, 1948, in Rome) is a renowned Italian academic who has shaped the understanding of energy geopolitics and Middle Eastern political economy. As Scientific Director of the Master in International Energy Transitions at Sciences Po's Paris School of International Affairs, he brings over four decades of expertise in energy economics and policy. His academic contributions include pioneering work on rentier state theory, developed with Egyptian economist Hazem Beblawi in their influential 1987 publication. His career spans prestigious appointments, including Princeton University Global Scholar (2010-2013) at the Woodrow Wilson School, and teaching positions at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. His professional experience includes roles at the Bank of Italy and consulting for major international oil companies. He is an active member of influential forums including the Oxford Energy Policy Club and the Paris Energy Club. His research primarily focuses on two interconnected areas: the political economy of the Middle East and North Africa, and global energy issues. Most recently, he edited the comprehensive "Handbook of International Energy Economics" (2022), further cementing his position as a leading authority in energy economics and Middle Eastern studies.

Jean-Baptiste Chambon is a doctoral researcher at Sciences Po's Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE), where he has been conducting research since September 2020. His academic background includes a master's degree in "Institutions, Economy and Society" from Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL), completed in 2020, where his thesis examined the "DansMaRue" citizen reporting system implemented by the City of Paris. Under the supervision of renowned sociologist Patrick Le Galès, his current doctoral research investigates the data-driven modernization of local administrations through a comparative analysis of Paris and London. His work specifically focuses on how digital transformation and data utilization are reshaping urban governance and bureaucratic structures in contemporary cities. Chambon's research contributes to the growing field of digital urban studies, examining the intersection of public administration, technology, and urban governance in the digital age, with particular attention to how data-driven approaches are transforming traditional administrative practices and decision-making processes in major European cities.

Marie-Françoise Durand established herself as a prominent figure in French academic geography during her tenure at Sciences Po from 1989 to 2015. As an agrégée professor of Geography, she founded and directed the influential Atelier de cartographie (Cartography Workshop), which became a cornerstone of geographic education and research at Sciences Po. Her teaching responsibilities included comprehensive undergraduate and master's level courses in geography, cartography, and research methodology. She gained recognition for coordinating the World Space course and developing several innovative MOOCs in geographic education. Her most significant contribution includes overseeing six editions of the Atlas of Globalization, which became a fundamental reference work in the field. As director of the Cartography Workshop, she pioneered new approaches to geographic visualization and data representation, helping establish Sciences Po's reputation for excellence in social science cartography. Her work has been instrumental in bridging traditional cartographic methods with contemporary geographic analysis, influencing how geography is taught and understood in French higher education. Her legacy continues through the methodologies and educational approaches she developed, which remain influential in geographic education and cartographic practice.

Patrick Le Galès, born March 11, 1964, in Lamballe, Brittany, is a distinguished CNRS Research Professor of Sociology, Politics, and Urban Studies at Sciences Po Paris's Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics. He served as the founding Dean of Sciences Po Urban School (2015-2022) and has achieved remarkable academic recognition, including election as a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy (2011) and member of Academia Europea. His academic journey includes education at Sciences Po Paris, Nuffield College Oxford (M.Litt.), and the University of Paris X Nanterre. His scholarly achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards including the CNRS Silver Medal (2018), the Stein Rokkan Prize (2002), and the CNRS Bronze Medal (1996)