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2021–2026 Project
The new contractual phase coincides with a substantial shift in scientific direction. It is largely the result of a success: the implementation of research programs in the humanities and social sciences in two fields of knowledge that we had identified as areas for experimentation and innovation: health and the environment. It is fully justified by its alignment with a site-specific scientific policy that supports these two areas among the three that are at the forefront of its strategy for excellence. Instead of three research lines and two innovation hubs, the laboratory’s new organization opts for three thematic hubs: CEPEL-Health; CEPEL-Environment; CEPEL-Political Territories.Each of these three hubs is intended to serve as a lever for the laboratory’s excellence in its own research, as well as a tool for scientific partnerships within the Montpellier campus and at the national and international levels. The laboratory’s relatively modest size requires a certain flexibility in its specializations and a commitment to openness toward the scientific community at various levels. However, as we have noted, this modesty remains a definite handicap in light of the development opportunities before us. This is why we view this scientific project as a call for renewed consideration from our two sponsoring institutions regarding recruitment, but also as a means of attracting new talent interested in both the selected research themes and the welcoming environment and working conditions that CEPEL has made its specialty. An organization divided into three clusters nevertheless always runs the risk of compartmentalization. The numerous discussions leading up to the development of this project reveal a shared aspiration for dialogue between clusters and the pursuit of common challenges. At the individual level, this dialogue will be facilitated by the fact that many researchers belong to multiple clusters. It will also be facilitated by the new direction given to the laboratory’s annual seminar. This seminar, relaunched and organized by the group of doctoral students under the supervision of the laboratory director, aims to identify themes or issues common to the three clusters and to promote this approach through scientific publications. The goal is not merely to view the seminar as a regular event. It is also to ensure that it plays a role in scientific development.
- Thematic Area No. 1 – Health
- Thematic Area No. 2 – Environment
- Thematic Area No. 3 – Political Territories
The philosophy behind CEPEL’s new project is therefore based on three principles: specialization, partnership, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Specialization stems from the expertise accumulated by the team and by those joining it today. It forms the basis for the thematic clusters and their research lines. Partnership (on-site, national, and international) stems from these orientations and corresponds to a modest-sized unit situated at the crossroads of multiple academic, professional, and civic relationships. It also reflects the high degree of internationalization of activities. Finally, interdisciplinary collaboration stems from three processes. The first is the participation of a majority of researchers in multiple research clusters or lines. The second is the mission of the three clusters to identify common issues that transcend their specific themes. The third is the implementation of the laboratory seminar, reconfigured to bring all colleagues together around common issues. During our preparatory discussions for this project, we identified five such issues that could form the framework for CEPEL’s shared scientific approach: territory, participation, interdisciplinarity, comparative studies, and innovation.
Scientific Review 2014–2020
The themes of the CEPEL research project built upon research that had already been undertaken. Two major research questions were identified: the Transformation(s) of Democratic Governance and New Forms of Civic Behavior. The first was divided into three areas: Social and Political Actors; Sociology of the State and Its Elites; and the Development of Public Policy Standards. The second was structured around two areas: New Political Behaviors; and Alternative Forms of Politicization. Furthermore, the CEPEL project aimed to strengthen its focus on international comparison and to develop two new Thematic Clusters: Sustainable Development and Public Health. These laid the groundwork for the path CEPEL has consolidated in the new 2021–2025 contract phase.
View the report and scientific output.