CEPEL
Overview
The Joint Research Unit (UMR 5112) has been part of the field of political science since its inception through its affiliation with Section 40 (Politics—Power—Organization) of the CNRS National Committee. CEPEL is also affiliated with Section 36 (Sociology and Legal Sciences). The sociologists are based in the historic buildings of the Faculty of Medicine. Among the 17 faculty members (7 full professors and 10 associate professors), 12 are affiliated with Section 04 (Political Science) of the CNU, 1 with Section 19 (Sociology, Demography), 1 with Section 20 (Ethnology), 1 to Section 17 (Philosophy), and 2 to Section 56.02 (Epidemiology, Prevention, Health Economics, and Forensic Dentistry).
The Public Health sector has gradually expanded, notably through unsolicited applications from hospital practitioners (1 PH in 2018, 1 MCUPH in 2019) who wish to focus their scientific work on the humanities and social sciences.
CEPEL’s evolution is aligned with the scientific strategies of its sponsoring agencies and, even before receiving the I-SITE MUSE (January 1, 2017)—coordinated by the University of Montpellier—it had already aligned itself with the themes specific to the Montpellier campus (feeding, healthcare, and protection), while retaining its traditional areas of expertise in public policy and comparative studies.
History
CEPEL was founded in 1983 (under the leadership of Paul Alliès) as the “Center for Comparative Studies of Public Policy and Local Spaces.” Without changing its acronym, under the direction of Jean-Pierre Gaudin—who succeeded Paul Alliès in 1999—CEPEL became the “Center for Political Studies of Latin Europe” in 2001, broadening its research topics and better reflecting its close ties to the field and academic networks of Southern European countries. It was subsequently led successively by Louis Assier-Andrieu (2002–2003), Hubert Peres (2003–2014), William Genieys,recipient of the Award for Excellence in Political Science(2015–2018), and, since August 1, 2018, by Emmanuel Négrier, recipient of the 1999 CNRS Bronze Medal (DR-CNRS). He is leading the unit’s project for the 2021–2025 five-year contract, with Geneviève Zoïa (PR-UM) serving as deputy director. The contributions of sociologists, ethnologists, philosophers, and epidemiologists (including hospital practitioners) symbolize the unit’s multidisciplinary approach. In this context, CEPEL is now the Center for Political and Social Studies: Environment, Health, Territories.
Biographies and initiatives undertaken during terms in leadership positions:
- Paul ALLIES(1983–1999)
- Jean-PIERRE GAUDIN (1999–2002)
- Louis ASSIER-ANDRIEU(2002–2003)
- Hubert PERES(2003–2015)
- William GENIEYS(2015–2018)
- Emmanuel NEGRIER(2018–2026)
- Christophe ROUX (2026 – …)
The Library
The CEPEL-Science Politique library houses a collection of nearly 11,000 books covering the entire field, 36 French and foreign periodicals (American, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese-language), and more than 500 master’s and doctoral theses. On-site access is available to doctoral students, researchers, and faculty members. The book catalog is available upon request byemailfrom our communications officer. Users may connect their laptops and also have access to Wi-Fi.
CEPEL hosts the political science journal *Pôle Sud*, founded in 1994, which aims to serve as a tool for structuring and mobilizing the academic community by combining political scientists’ local engagement with the development of a national, international, and transdisciplinary network. This ambitious editorial policy has been recognized by the inclusion of *Pôle Sud* in the two most prestigious online databases of French-language academic journals: Persée and Cairn.
For several years now, CEPEL has benefited from the generosity of distinguished donors eager to donate their library collections to the organization, such as Jean-Louis MISSIKA, Jean-Luc Parodi, Elias Sambar, and others. Any donation of books, regardless of their condition, is welcome. The CEPEL library will therefore ensure the proper care of the books entrusted to it, as well as the preservation of this intellectual heritage.