Emerging Worlds Research Chair (Axis 3)

Director: Eric Mottet

Researchers:

Since the turn of the millennium, we have witnessed the emergence of new centers of production, new places of power and new communication routes. The entire political, economic and cultural geography of the planet is shifting before our very eyes. On the one hand, the context of international relations is marked by the irruption of certain developing countries as key players and genuine stakeholders in the global dialogue on trade, economics and socio-cultural standards. On the other hand, the emergence of these countries is underpinned by various dynamics that form the backdrop to a reconfiguration of North-South and South-South relations.

The aim of this section is to identify, analyze, compare and reflect on the categories, taxonomies and development trajectories involved, as well as the new expressions of power induced by the emergence phenomenon and confirmed, invalidated or nuanced by current research.

This axis brings together the work and reflections of various FLSH lecturers working on Asia, Africa, Latin America or Russia, who analyze the “Emerging Worlds” not only through their academic knowledge, but also through their rich experience in the field.

The main objective of the “Emerging Worlds” axis will be to strengthen multidisciplinary scientific reflection as a tool for analyzing contemporary issues; and in so doing, to position the FLSH as one of the research hubs of the Université Catholique de Lille, by reinforcing scientific cooperation within the Faculty.

The structuring effect of this axis will trigger five spin-offs within the FLSH:

1) Synergy and the creation of close intra-faculty links, since the “Emerging Worlds” axis relies on teacher-researchers working directly or indirectly on this theme. Several collaborations have already been initiated between a number of them.

2) Mobilizing a research team around “Emerging Worlds”. The creation of this axis will have major repercussions for our Faculty. It will contribute to its scientific dynamism and its national and international reputation.

3) Training the next generation of scientists. Many promising Master’s students will be integrated into the activities of the “Emerging Worlds” axis, whether in the organization of colloquia, the preparation of grant applications, etc. In addition to providing an internship opportunity within the FLSH’s research and training activities, these Master’s students will strengthen the research network in “Emerging Worlds” studies, which in turn will help consolidate and perpetuate the links created around the teacher-researchers belonging to this research axis and the FLSH.

4) Strengthening FLSH’s academic and scientific development. The presence within the Faculty of a research axis on “Emerging Worlds” will enhance FLSH’s attraction, training and mentoring capabilities.

Lastly, this axis will set up a scientific committee that will adopt (5) a transfer and dissemination plan updated annually (planned events, communications/diffusions, newsletter and e-mailings, social networks, media presence, etc.).

The Emerging Worlds Research Chair

At a time when the political, economic and cultural geography of the planet is undergoing profound changes, the Faculty of Arts & Humanities of the Catholic University of Lille (FLSH) announces the creation of the first French Research Chair in Emerging Worlds. Directed by Eric Mottet, professor of geopolitics at the FLSH, and integrated into the Communication, Society, Environment (MUSE) laboratory, which structures research at the FLSH, this Research Chair will focus on the socio-economical-(geo)political development trajectories of emerging countries from a French, European and global perspective, and will give rise to work that can fuel reflection and debate around international relations, socio-cultural and environmental issues, and current geopolitical questions, and in particular, questions of security and conflict.

The first French Research Chair in Emerging Worlds

Since the 2000s, societies have undergone many upheavals. With the emergence of new centers of production, new places of power and new communication routes, the political, economic and cultural geography of the planet is changing. On the one hand, developing

countries are emerging as key players and genuine stakeholders in the global dialogue on trade, economics and socio-cultural norms. On the other hand, the emergence of these countries is underpinned by a variety of dynamics that form the backdrop to a reconfiguration of North-South and South-South relations.

It was to understand these issues and better grasp them in the future that the FLSH’s teaching and research staff decided to create a research chair dedicated to Emerging Worlds. A first in France. The aim? To analyze the place and influence of emerging countries in today’s major political, economic, environmental and normative balances. In other words, to study the place of emerging countries in the world’s major balances. The relevance of the creation of this Chair is reinforced by the current international geopolitical situation, which is likely to mark a turning point in the global distribution of energy, commercial and monetary flows, and which will lead to the creation of new strategic alliances.

A multidisciplinary Research Chair

As part of the Communication, Society and Environment Laboratory (MUSE), which structures research at the FLSH, the Research Chair will initially bring together 12 researchers from the Faculty – with specific and complementary expertise in socio-(geo)political-cultural issues in Africa, Asia, South America, the post-Soviet world or specific themes. The aim is to promote multidisciplinary scientific reflection and a global approach.

In addition, the Research Chair will integrate French and foreign associate researchers specializing in these issues, as well as undergraduate, master’s and postgraduate students from the FLSH, ICL (ESPOL, Faculty of Law, etc.), Hauts-de-France, other regions, foreign countries and various disciplines, all of whom share the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the growing global importance of emerging countries.

Local, regional, interregional and European economic and political players will also be involved in the work of the Chair, notably through study days, conferences and symposia. The aim is to enable them to implement policies and strategies inspired by the research produced by the Chair.

The Emerging Worlds Research Chair will contribute to the scientific dynamism of the Faculty, and give it the opportunity to strengthen its relations with the entrepreneurial ecosystem and public authorities. The Chair will also provide an opportunity for ongoing international networking. While the Chair will initially be based on existing networks, it will enable new researchers to join in and connect their own research networks.

Works that will have a major impact on public debate

The results of the work carried out by the Emerging Worlds Research Chair will be brought to the attention of experts and practitioners in the fields of international relations, geopolitics, interculturalism and the environment, as well as companies and the general public, through colloquia, conferences, collective or individual works, with the aim of enlightening and fuelling reflection and debate on current international balances and geopolitical issues. In addition, the Research Chair will promote the results of its work to the media, government agencies and citizen debate forums. Finally, the findings may also be used by Chambers of Commerce and French companies with economic interests in the countries studied.

The CReME research team

The Chair’s teacher-researchers are Xavier Aurégan, Barthélémy Courmont, Philippe Diest, Sarah Dumortier, Michel Feugain, Natalia Guilluy-Sulikashvili, Loïc Laroche, Stéphanie Leroux, Fernando Monroy, Eric Mottet, Jérôme Roudier and Lucas Thenard.

CReME’s research priorities

  • “Contemporary Asian issues”
  • “Contemporary Africa”
  • “Current post-Soviet world”
  • “Latin America”
  • “Cultural, intercultural and anthropocene representations”.

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