SCIENCES PO LAUNCHES THE 2ND ISSUE, DEVOTED TO DIGITAL MATTERS, OF ITS MAGAZINE “UNDERSTANDING OUR TIMES”

Discover the English and French PDF versions of Understanding our times.

Paris, 5 December 2024 - Facing up to today's profound ruptures, “Understanding our times” is Sciences Po's humanities and social sciences magazine designed to shed light on the major contemporary issues and to support public and private decision-making. 

Published twice a year, “Understanding our times” aims to give as many people as possible access to the excellent scientific output of Sciences Po researchers, focusing on a major social and political issue.

This second issue, coordinated by Jean-Philippe Cointet, director of the Open Institute For Digital Transformations and Medialab researcher, looks at the impact of digital transformations on our democracies. Twenty researchers from several Sciences Po research centres are analysing the harmful effects of virality on our public space and formulating methods to counter them, they measure the influence of social networks on media coverage of news stories, give the European regulator ideas on how to regulate platforms, and examine the democratic impact of recent developments in artificial intelligence.

“Since its founding 150 years ago, Sciences Po has sought to understand the times and challenges of today's world. Technological and digital transformation are at the heart of its research and teaching. The goal is to equip future generations to contend with the consequences of social media use, the growing penetration of digital technology, and the accelerating development of artificial intelligence (Al). The second issue of Understanding our times reflects Sciences Po's ambition to provide a new take on digital technology, seen through the lens of European values now challenged by geopolitical and technological upheaval.” Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po.

The 3rd issue of “Understanding our times”, to be published in spring 2025, will be devoted to conflicts, in their various forms.

About Sciences Po

Since 1872, Sciences Po's mission has been to shape free minds capable of understanding the world, in order to transform it. It places academic excellence and social inclusion at the heart of its values. Its unique academic objectives are defined by a multidisciplinary approach rooted in the humanities and social sciences, a strong international perspective, and the ability to combine fundamental knowledge with professional expertise thanks to its 280 research professors and 4,600 part-time lecturers.

A world-class research university with 11 research centers, Sciences Po takes social responsibility seriously, proposing solutions to major contemporary issues including environmental and digital transformations, changes in public policy, and the fight against inequality and discrimination. The defense of academic freedom – an essential condition for democracy and social progress – is also at the heart of our academic project.

Each year, Sciences Po trains 15,000 students, 50% of whom are international, on seven campuses (Dijon, Le Havre, Menton, Nancy, Paris, Poitiers, Reims) within the Undergraduate College, and in seven schools at Master's level (international affairs, public affairs, law, journalism, management, research, urban planning). 3,500 professionals also receive continued professional training.

Media contacts

Romain Becker & Katell Fagon : media@sciencespo.fr / 01 45 49 50 79