Curriculum Vitae
I define myself as a "social scientist", and more precisely as a “political scientist, working on historical topics with a sociological approach and openning to econometrics.” In my PhD dissertation, on the Franco-German Reconciliation, I investigated how the processes of rapprochement took root in the 1930’s and developed during the 1950’s and 1960’s. This focus helped me to deconstruct, from a socio-historical perspective, the institution of the Franco-German reconciliation political liturgy. Although not part of my PhD framework, I am also interested in econometrics. In a book I have recently edited, I explore the use of rational choice theory in political issues (Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2009, co-edited with S. Saurugger and D. Deschaux-Beaumes). While this might appear as theoretical eclecticism, it is actually a meditated choice. I believe that although specialization is necessary for the advancement of modern sciences, this can lead to knowledge fragmentation. A well-balanced researcher should therefore be a specialist in his/her field while at the same time possessing a certain knowledge – and practice – of rivalling paradigms and methodologies.