Centre d'Études des Mouvements Sociaux

Centre d'Études des Mouvements Sociaux

The Centre d'Études des Mouvements Sociaux is a prominent French research laboratory dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of social movements, collective action, and political engagement. Founded in the late 20th century, it operates under the joint supervision of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. The center's work bridges sociology, political science, and history, producing influential analyses on protest dynamics, activism, and societal change in France and internationally.

History and Foundation

The laboratory was established in 1981, emerging from a growing academic interest in understanding the new forms of political and social contestation that followed the transformative events of May 1968 in France. Its creation was closely associated with leading sociologists like Alain Touraine, who pioneered the "sociology of action" approach. Initially, it was part of the broader institutional landscape of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, which provided an interdisciplinary environment conducive to studying contemporary social phenomena. Over the decades, it evolved into a key unit within the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, specifically under the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, solidifying its role as a major national hub for research on conflict and mobilization.

Research Focus and Theoretical Approaches

The center's research empirically investigates the genesis, development, and outcomes of collective mobilizations, ranging from labor strikes and anti-globalization protests to feminist movements and environmental activism. Theoretically, it engages with and contributes to several key frameworks, including resource mobilization theory, political opportunity structure analysis, and the study of collective identity formation. A significant focus is placed on the transnationalization of protests, the role of new social media in activism, and the professionalization of social movement organizations. Researchers also examine the interactions between social movements and institutions like the European Union, national governments, and the judiciary.

Key Figures and Researchers

Throughout its history, the center has been home to many distinguished scholars who have shaped the field. Its foundational direction was influenced by Alain Touraine and later by sociologists such as Michel Wieviorka, who served as its president and advanced work on violence, racism, and democracy. Other notable permanent researchers have included Erik Neveu, an expert on public space and media discourse, and Olivier Fillieule, renowned for his methodological innovations in studying activism and protest policing. The laboratory has also fostered the careers of numerous scholars who have taken leading positions at institutions like the University of Lausanne, Sciences Po, and the University of Paris.

Publications and Academic Output

The center maintains a high level of academic output through peer-reviewed articles in major international journals such as American Sociological Review, Mobilization, and Revue française de science politique. Its researchers regularly publish influential monographs with prestigious presses like Éditions du Seuil, Presses de Sciences Po, and Cambridge University Press. The laboratory also organizes seminal conferences and workshops that bring together experts from across Europe and North America, contributing to the global circulation of ideas. Furthermore, it supervises numerous doctoral theses, training the next generation of scholars in the methodologies and theories of social movement studies.

Institutional Affiliations and Collaborations

The laboratory is formally a joint research unit between the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. This dual affiliation anchors it within France's premier research and advanced teaching institutions. It actively collaborates with other major centers, including the Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Enjeux Sociaux and partners within the Réseau National des Maisons des Sciences de l'Homme. Internationally, it maintains strong ties with research networks across Europe, such as those coordinated by the European University Institute in Florence, and with universities in Latin America and North America, facilitating comparative research projects on global activism.

Category:Research institutes in France Category:Social movements Category:École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales