King’s College London and Sciences Po strengthen their partnership with a new dual Master’s degree in History

Paris, 18 June 2025 – The third issue of Comprendre son temps, the journal published by Sciences Po, offers an in-depth analysis of contemporary conflicts amidst heightened geopolitical tensions. Political scientist Hugo Micheron, who specialises in the Middle East and jihadism, coordinated the contributions of ten researchers who aimed to explore the new forms of conflict that have recently emerged: the militarisation of digital space, the weaponisation of information, the reconfiguration of alliances and power dynamics, the hybridisation of threats, and the return of high-intensity warfare — from Ukraine to Gaza. These contributions examine the systemic transformations redefining the attributes of power and critically assess Europe’s evolving role in the global order. Contributors to this issue include Thierry Balzacq, Professor and researcher at the Centre for International Studies (CERI); Christophe Jaffrelot, CNRS Research Director at CERI; and Frédéric Ramel, Professor and researcher at CERI. Regular contributors to Sciences Po have also participated, such as writer and lecturer Giuliano Da Empoli; Asma Mhalla, political scientist and lecturer; and author Karine Tuil. Hugo Micheron, scientific director of the issue : “The current period is marked by profound geopolitical transformations that challenge Europe’s place and role on the world stage, as well as its ability to assert itself as a leading geopolitical actor. It is essential for a group of influential EU countries to align their diplomatic orientations in order to rethink conflict in all its strategic dimensions. This is the collective analysis put forward by Sciences Po researchers in this issue." Luis Vassy, Director of Sciences Po :  "In an era where conflict is no longer an exception but a structural reality, it is vital to place this notion at the heart of both our scientific inquiry and educational mission." About Comprendre son temps Comprendre son temps is Sciences Po’s journal in the humanities and social sciences, offering insights into the major ruptures shaping today’s world and supporting both public and private decision-making. Published biannually, it seeks to make the institution’s high-quality academic research accessible to the widest possible audience by addressing a major social and political issue. About Hugo Micheron Hugo Micheron is a political scientist, fluent in Arabic and specialising in the Middle East and jihadism. He is a Senior Fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University and teaches at Sciences Po, where he leads the seminar Artificial Intelligence, Democracy, and the Information Environment. He is the author of La Colère et l’Oubli. Les démocraties face au jihadisme européen (Gallimard, 2023), awarded both the Femina Essay Prize and the Brienne Prize for Geopolitical Literature in 2023.

Paris, 4 June 2025 - Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po, has appointed Sébastien Hua as Director of Strategy and Development. He will be responsible for defining the institution's strategic direction, supporting various transformation projects and enhancing Sciences Po's appeal to its partners and patrons.  A 2001 graduate of Sciences Po, Sébastien Hua is a former student of the École Normale Supérieure de Cachan and the Ecole Nationale d'Administration. He worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris and New York, then at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), before joining Kering as Chief of Staff to the CEO in charge of strategy and transformation projects. He was also Head of General Studies at Prep'ENA from 2004 to 2007. Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po commented: "I would like to thank Sébastien Hua for choosing to join Sciences Po at a time when we are undergoing significant transformation and renewal. I know I can count on his ability to articulate strategy and concrete operational implementation. His vision, the experience he has gained throughout his career in both the public and private sectors, and his attachment to the institution will be valuable assets in bringing our collective project to fruition." Upon his appointment, Sébastien Hua stated: "I am delighted and proud to be joining a unique institution, which is both a prestigious university that trains those who will hold the highest positions in France and internationally in the future, and a world-class research institution in the humanities and social sciences. I would like to thank Luis Vassy for his trust and I look forward to helping bring together the various communities at Sciences Po around the institution's project and shared ambition."

Paris, 5 May 2025 – Sciences Po, a world-class research university, has been host to a significant number of leading international scholars for over two decades. With nearly 50% of its student body made up of international students and one of the most open academic communities in Europe, Sciences Po offers an interdisciplinary environment suited to analyse contemporary disruptions, all within a framework that safeguards academic freedom and freedom of speech — key conditions for academic work. “Europe’s strategic autonomy lies in part on an intellectual ambition: acknowledging universities as a central pillar of European identity, agency, and influence. Through the defence of academic freedom, the promotion of open debate, and the protection of long-term knowledge, higher education constitutes a critical infrastructure of our democracies.”Luis Vassy, Director of Sciences Po. In December 2024, Sciences Po launched a call for applications within the “Sciences Po Visiting Fellowship” programme, aimed at welcoming scholars from the United States. The two selected fellows, Professor Sanyu A. Mojola from Princeton University and Professor Rachel Beatty Riedl from Cornell University, were chosen from among numerous prominent applicants. They will join Sciences Po for one semester: Professor Mojola will be hosted by the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS), and Professor Riedl by the Centre for International Studies (CERI). Sanyu A. Mojola is a Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs and holds the Maurice P. During Chair in Demographic Studies at Princeton University. Her research, which combines multiple methodological approaches, investigates how societies produce health and illness, with a particular focus on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in diverse contexts such as Kenya, South Africa, and the United States. She has studied how social dynamics within schools, communities, labour markets, cities, and ecosystems contribute to health inequalities. Her work pays particular attention to the ways in which life course, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status shape health outcomes. Rachel Beatty Riedl is the Director of the Center on Global Democracy at the Brooks School of Public Policy and Professor in the Department of Government at Cornell University. Her research focuses on democracy and authoritarianism globally, with a particular emphasis on Africa. She explores regime transitions, participation, institutions, political parties, religion, and local governance. This initiative highlights Sciences Po’s commitment to fostering open, rigorous, and independent research. The Visiting Fellowship programme will be renewed for the 2026–2027 academic year, with two new positions opened. Strong and Longstanding Ties with the United States Sciences Po maintains close educational and research ties with the United States. Each year, between 15% and 20% of all American students who choose to study in France do so at Sciences Po. Americans represent the largest international student population at the university, with nearly 1,000 enrolled for the 2024–2025 academic year — from among over 140 nationalities. This is in part due to our 84 university partnerships, including 10 dual degree programmes with leading institutions such as Columbia University, UC Berkeley, and Georgetown University. The United States is also the leading destination for Sciences Po students in their third year abroad: in 2025–2026, over 220 students will study at one of our American partner institutions. Our research collaborations with the United States are equally robust. These include the Alliance programme, which brings together Columbia University, École Polytechnique, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Sciences Po to promote bilateral academic cooperation; and our doctoral fellowship programme with seven American partners, aimed at building a transatlantic network of young researchers. At present, nine American scholars are members of our permanent faculty (out of 280), alongside numerous PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting professors — among them the Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.