MIT Global France Seminar

 

The MIT Global France Seminar aims to bring together MIT faculty, instructors, and graduate students from across disciplines interested in the study of French and francophone cultures around the world. The seminar series is free and open to the public.

​

The MIT Global France Seminar was launched in 2013 (under the name "MIT Research Seminar in French and Francophone Studies"). Why “Global France”? The seminar seeks to expand notions of French Studies beyond the Hexagone and relationships of formal empire to include networks of social, cultural, and intellectual influence. Its events and participants seek to reconceptualize French and Francophone studies in a global context.  

​

Founding chair: Professor Bruno Perreau

Co-chairs: Claire Conceison, Malick Ghachem, Aliko Songolo.

​​

Guest speakers. Spring 2026.

• Keith Baker (Stanford University). Event co-organized with Harvard History. Jean-Paul Marat: Prophet of Terror. Wednesday, February, 11. 5pm. Belfer Case Study Room. CGIS-S020. Harvard campus.

• Julien Gelas (Théâtre du Chêne Noir, Avignon, France). Live Performance in France 2026. Date and location TBA. 

• Deborah Jenson (Duke University). During ‘Man’: Caribbean Philosophies of Science from Anténor Firmin to Sylvia Wynter. Wednesday, April 1st. 5:15pm. Location TBA.

• Felwine Sarr (Duke University). The Restitution of African Cultural Heritage by France: Where Are We Now? Wednesday, April 22. 5:15pm. Location TBA.