Les humanités en formes

The conditions under which knowledge is produced and disseminated in the humanities are increasingly opening up to new frontiers: hybrid forms of writing, collaborative annotation, multimedia platforms, artificial intelligence and new media. By tracing the research cycle, from the writing of a paper to its circulation in the public sphere, this one-day event aims to map out this new landscape and bring together different perspectives on the profound changes currently taking place.

How do we write research in a world saturated with narratives? Through which channels is it published and made visible? What becomes of scientific authority and dialogue with society in a fragmented, algorithm-driven media landscape? What ethical and technical challenges do the new means of producing and disseminating research pose? In short: how are the humanities today redefining their modes of existence, circulation and sharing?

Through four stages – Create, Publish, Disseminate, Engage – the FMSH’s Grand Format 2026 brings together researchers, publishers, creators, professionals in the dissemination of knowledge and cultural stakeholders to exchange perspectives and discuss the changes currently taking place in the humanities and social sciences. Conversations, film screenings, a photographic exhibition and book presentations will punctuate this day, designed as a space for reflection, discovery and dialogue.

To round off the day, the evening will be dedicated to the official launch of the '54 Poche' series. This will be an opportunity to discover its first four titles, featuring texts by Fernand Braudel, Max Horkheimer, Paul Virilio and Achille Stocchi.

9:00 am | Welcoming

9:30 am – 11:30 am

Conversation | Writing differently, researching differently?

The humanities have long been experimenting with alternative forms of writing: film, comics, theatre, augmented and interactive writing, and hybridisations between research and creative practice. The shift from one format to another is not merely a transposition, and these developments—far from being purely formal, call into question the very nature of the knowledge produced. Does experimenting with these ‘alternative’ forms of writing constitute an enrichment, an opening up to new audiences, or is it a redefinition of scientific practices themselves? Where do the areas of tension lie between academic rigour, experimentation and creativity?

Speakers:
Séverine Leroy (Theatre Studies – Catholic University of the West)
Sylvain Venayre (History – University of Alpes Grenoble)
Nicolas Sauret (Information and Communication Sciences – University of Paris 8)

Moderator: Émilie Balteau (Sociologist and film director, Cirec)

Interlude

Spend half an hour browsing through the selection of books curated by our partner bookshop, discussing the titles chosen by our speakers, and exploring the listening and viewing stations dedicated to a selection of audio and film documentaries.

11:45 am – 1:00 pm

Carte blanche | Authors, contributors and readers in the social sciences and humanities publishing sector

Publishing is not merely about disseminating academic content: it helps to establish its legitimacy, visibility and circulation within the national and international public sphere. Between academic publishing and major publishers, between internationalisation and new audiences, which actors and which channels are currently shaping the sphere in which the humanities circulate? How does a major publishing house develop its editorial policy, promote its catalogue and position itself within the landscape of ideas? A feature by Sophie Kucoyanis, Secretary-General for the Humanities at Gallimard.

Speaker: Sophie Kucoyanis (Secretary-General for the Humanities, Gallimard)
Moderator: Maria Vlachou (Director of Éditions de la MSH)

Interlude

Students on the Master’s programme in ‘Politics and Media Coverage of the Humanities and Social Sciences’ (Paris 1) will present a selection of publications on the day’s themes.

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1:00 pm | Meal

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2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Conversation | What impact is AI having on the humanities?

Artificial intelligence is transforming the ways in which knowledge is accessed, translated, produced and disseminated. Yet behind its apparent ease of use and promises of efficiency, its widespread adoption raises critical questions: technological sovereignty, algorithmic bias, standardisation of content, hallucinations and linguistic simplification. How is research in the social sciences and humanities affected by its widespread and largely unregulated adoption? Between ‘conscientious objection’, controlled adoption and creative tinkering, how are those involved in research positioning themselves in relation to AI?

Speakers:
Valérie Beaudouin (Sociologist – EHESS)
Thomas Parisot (Deputy Director, Cairn)
Marie van Effenterre (Translator, Association for Translation in the Social Sciences)

Moderator: Anne Madelain (Historian, INALCO)

Interlude

Screening of the video work The Book of Flowers (Agnieszka Polska)

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4:00 pm | Break

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4:15 pm – 6:15 pm

Conversation | Communicating the Social Sciences and Humanities in a fragmented media and political landscape

The dissemination of the social sciences today takes place in an environment characterised by polarisation, disinformation and competition for attention. The practical conditions for dialogue between social science research and society have changed. In this context, how can we ensure that scientific discourse is heard without oversimplification? How can we convey verified knowledge to the general public? How can we understand why people believe fake news or conspiracy theories? Finally, in the face of attacks on the scientific community, what responsibilities and framework should be established for researchers’ engagement in public debate?

Speakers:
Ulysse Baratin (Director, Paris Saclay Research Theatre)
Sylvain Delouvée (Social psychology – University of Rennes 2)
Stéphanie Ruphy (Philosophy – University of Paris Cité)

Moderators: Zara Fournier and François-Ronan Dubuis (Institut français)

Interlude

Screening: dance improvisation (Paris Conservatoire)

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

« Le 54 dans la poche »

To mark its first anniversary and the launch of its new titles, the ‘54 poche’ collection continues to expand its reach: a home for the writings of great thinkers and a platform for the creation of previously unpublished works. Alongside its interdisciplinary explorations and its critical and intimate works, the collection is accompanied by a photographic exhibition by Sophie Virilio exploring the origins and legacy of Bunker Archéologie.

Overview of publications for 2025/2026:

• L’histoire, mesure du monde, Fernand Braudel
• Du préjugé, Max Horkheimer
• Bunker Archéologie, Paul Virilio
• La vie dans le vide, Achille Stocchi

Speakers: 
Sophie Virilio (Photographer and novelist)
Peter Geimer (Director, German Centre for Art History in Paris)
Achille Stocchi (Director, Laboratory of Physics of the Two Infinities, Saclay)
Christian Joschke (Lecturer, École des Beaux-Arts de Paris)

Moderator: Juliette Cerf (Journalist, Télérama)