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The notion of "academic freedom" is often evoked in public debates, but is it really known in its singularity? Where does it come from? What is its history? What decisive role does it play in our democracies and the defense of the university's role as a counter-power? To what extent is it threatened today, particularly by the reforms announced?This morning of reflection, open to all, will explore these questions from a variety of perspectives. Historians, philosophers and jurists will shed light on the subject. Institutional leaders will share their concrete experience and their analysis of the threats that reforms could pose to this essential principle.An organization of the Philosophy Department, the History Department, the ESPHIN Institute in collaboration with the Centre d'Action Laïque Namur.The speakers- Anne-Emmanuelle Bourgaux, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Mons- Nicolas Offenstadt, Professor of History at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne- Quentin Landenne, Qualified Researcher at the FRS-FNRS at the UCLouvain Saint-Louis Brussels, scientific leader of the ERC BildungLearning project- Susanna Zellini, Research Fellow at the FRS-FNRS at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Brussels- Annick Castiaux, Rector of UNamur- Edouard Delruelle, Professor of political philosophy at ULiège; Chargé de mission by the Rectrice of ULiège on "ULiège facing global conflicts".PracticalitiesThéâtre Jardin Passion 39, rue Marie Henriette - 5000 Namur.Free admission - Welcome from 9amAn organization of the Departments of Philosophy and History of the University of Namur and the ESPHIN Institute in collaboration with the Centre d'Action Laïque Namur with the support of the ERC BildungLearning project. I want to register The ERC BildungLearning project is funded by the European Union (n° 101043433). The views and opinions expressed, however, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The Democratic Transformations Cluster studies how political systems are evolving in response to major contemporary shifts — from the structural fractures emerging out of capitalist crises to the upheavals of the Anthropocene and the technological revolutions transforming communication.Its research addresses crucial questions such as climate governance, the evolution of party politics, minority representation, new forms of protest, political personalization, and new modes of citizen participation. These themes also invite reflection on the philosophical foundations of modern democracies.

The Territorial and Socio-Environmental Transformation cluster brings together researchers who seek to understand and support—even stimulate—the transformations that human societies must undertake in the face of major contemporary challenges.

The transformation of our societies is affecting the construction of our lives and life courses. These are traversed by a dual movement of de-standardization and de-institutionalization, leading to a gradual detachment from social roles, but also to a rise in social, cultural and gender uncertainties and inequalities. The "Transitions and Ages of Life" cluster studies the way in which these life courses are recomposed according to new social constraints and normative imperatives. It thus focuses on the fragility of populations at any age of life, and also on the repercussions of political devices and measures on the construction of life courses.This cluster brings together researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds who analyze both the normative transformations affecting life courses and life-age transitions..

The Chair is dedicated to the study of security, from both traditional and critical approaches. Its axis of rotation is the analysis of safety performance - at cultural, organizational and technological levels - and its relationship to social order. Here, safety is approached primarily from a transdisciplinary angle. This localization of safety, at the intersection of several disciplinary influences, directly structures the theoretical and methodological orientations of the studies conducted within the Chair.

Image Democratic Transformations Cluster See content Image Territorial and Environmental Transformations Division See content Image Pole Transitions and Ages of Life See content Image Center for Vulnerabilities and Societies (V&S) See content Image Tocqueville Chair See content

Located in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is an island with a rich natural heritage and multiple cultural influences. For over 15 years, researchers from the University of Namur have been working with a number of Madagascan universities and institutes on a variety of themes, including environmental preservation, water management and institutional capacity building. Focus on some of these projects.

2026 Dalimier, J., Maréchal, K., & Dendoncker, N. (2026). Transition and transformation: A cross-fertilizing approach to complement the study of systemic and sustainable changes (food system application). Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 58, 101059, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2025.101059 2025 The Return of Adversary Politics? The Changing Face of Negative Political Targeting in British Politics (1950-2025) / Dodeigne Jérémy, Santos Nelson & Talukder David, May 26, 2025.Am I an adult and... capable? The capacity to exercise one's rights: from medical-legal to political / Rommelaere Claire, 2025, États généraux du droit médical et du dommage corporel: Tome 2. Medical law through the prism of new legislation. Gille, A., Lutte, I. & El Founas, W. (eds.). Anthemis, pp. 247-272 25 p.Hospital law: legal decoding based on hospital realities / Colson Pauline (Editor), George Florence (Editor) & Lambert Charlotte (Editor), 2025, Brussels: Larcier-Intersentia. 1120 p. (Current law).How does Belgian law address discrimination against trans* and intersex people? / Wattier Stéphanie, 2025, Sex, gender & discrimination(s). PULIM ed. Limoges, pp. 269-284.A Women-Friendly Parliament? Gendered Gaps in Political Career Seniority in the European Parliament / Dodeigne Jérémy, May 21, 2025, (Submitted) pp. 1-47. 45 pp.Assessing community vulnerability to landslides and floods in northwestern Rwanda / Idukunda Clémence, Michellier Caroline, De Longueville Florence, Twarabamenye Emmanuel & Henry Sabine, June 1, 2025, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 123, 105329.O.P. v. Ans municipality ruling: what lessons for Belgian law? / Mertens Romain, 2025, In: PubliAdmin. 1, p. 136-145Complexity of vote and paradox of choice for candidates’ support. A worldwide analysis of list PR systems with preference voting (1994-2023) / Dodeigne Jérémy & Pilet, January 30, 2025, Political science group’s research seminar, pp. 1-21Euphoria as a mode of knowing in healthcare / Rigaux Natalie, March 1, 2025, In: Journal of Anthropology of Knowledge. 19, 1, 19-1Unraveling the roots of the recent political shift in Colombia: From Uribe to Petro / Ronderos Sebastian, 2025, In: Problèmes d’Amérique latine, pp. 82-103Family law instruments in the fight against (former) partner violence tested in practice / Mathieu Géraldine, Hermans Emilie, Declerck Charlotte, Wuyts Tim, Quina Tessa, 2025, In: Journal of Family Law. 2025, 2-3, p. 81-88From Constituency to Continent? Measuring the Shift of Territorial Representational Focus in MEPs' Parliamentary Activity (1994-2024) / Santos Nelson, Dodeigne Jérémy & Frech Elena, March 18, 2025, ECPR Standing Group on the EU (SGEU)'s online seminar series, pp. 1-32 32 p.Religious Radicalization in Administrative Law: What is the Balance Between Security Requirements and the Protection of Religious Beliefs Through Fundamental Rights? / Xavier François, Wattier Stéphanie & Nihoul Marc, 2025, ed. Larcier-Intersentia. 990 p. (Public Law Library)Public funding of religions and philosophies: what prospects under the new legislature (2024-2029)? / Stéphanie Wattier, 2025, In: Public Administration – Quarterly. 3-4, pp. 392-404Studying affect through discourse theory: Towards a methodology of practice / Eklundh Emmy & Ronderos Sebastian, January 6, 2025, In: Journal of Language and Politics. 24, 1, pp. 91-114Dujardin, S., Arifi, D., Schmidt, S., Linard, C., & Resch, B., 2025, Tracing online flood conversations across borders: A watershed level analysis of geo-social media topics during the 2021 European flood’, Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. 25(7), pp. 2351-2369. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2351-2025.Ginzarly, M. Teller, J. & Dujardin, S., 2025, Social Media Use in Disaster Response: Empowering Communities Resilience. International Journal of Digital Earth, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17538947.2025.2521791. 2024 News on equality and non-discrimination: selected issues / Wattier Stéphanie, 2024, ed. Limal: Anthemis. 223 p. (Commission Université Palais; vol. 232)Addiction Medicine and Psychology in the French-Speaking Community of Belgium: A Balancing Act between Progress and Challenges / Maurage Pierre, Campanella Salvatore, Quertemont Etienne, Desseilles Martin, Khazaal Yasser, De Timary Philippe, July 1, 2024, In: European Addiction Research. 30, 3, pp. 142-144 3 p.Can(‘t) Have It All? Parents in the Swiss Parliament / Frech Elena, Bailer Stefanie, Bütikofer Sarah, Dec 2024, In: Swiss Political Science Review. 30, 4, p. 407-427 21 p.Semiannual case law review / Basecqz Nathalie, Delhaise Elise, Nederlandt Olivia, Kennes Laurent, Vandermeersch Damien & Kuty Franklin, 2024, In: Revue de droit pénal et de criminologie. 12, pp. 1163-1292COVID-19, Law, and Religion in Belgium: When Emergency Weakens Legal and Religious Categories / Mertens Romain & Christians Louis Léon, 2024, Religion, Law and COVID-19 in Europe: A Comparative Analysis. Conway, B., Kühle, L., Alicino, F. & Bîrsan, G. (eds.). Helsinki University PressSolidarity initiatives: Practices, socialization, and learning mechanisms / Bert Catherine & Collin Jonathan, May 2, 2024, In: Social Policies. No. 4,1, pp. 4-9Aging / Burnay Nathalie, July 1, 2024, Encyclopedia of Organizational Psychology. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 15-18Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceeding › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionaryT.C. v. Italy ruling: towards recognition of a child's freedom to choose their religion? Note under Cour eur D. H., May 19, 2022 / Wattier Stéphanie, 2024, In: Quarterly Journal of Family Law. 1, pp. 185-189Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-reviewForeword: gender identity: overview of recent developments in case law / Wattier Stéphanie, 2024, In: Family Law News. 3, pp. 51-53Research output: Contribution to journal › ArticleBeyond Rhetoric: The European Parliament as a Workplace for Parents and Current Reform Debates / Frech Elena & Kopsch Sophie, 2024, In: Politics and Governance. 12, 8078.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-reviewCentripetalism in Consociational Democracy: The Multiple Proportional Vote and the Belgian Case / De Briey Laurent & De Brien Aurian, Jun 2024, In: Swiss Political Review. 30, 2, p. 108-130 23 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-reviewHow to teach vigilance to students? / Romainville Marc, Sept. 2024, Thinking for oneself, Navarre, M. (ed.). Paris: Sciences humaines, p. 91-96Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceeding › ChapterTriangulation of data from the home care sector in French-speaking Belgium: emotional labor and the test of professionalism / Burnay Nathalie & Pierre Amélie, Oct. 1, 2024, In: Pistes (interdisciplinary perspectives on work and health). 26, 1, 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-reviewDer Aspirant - das unbekannte Wesen? Translated title of the contribution: The Aspirant - the unknown being? / Hellmann Daniel & Kopsch Sophie, 2024, Kandidatenaufstellungen zu Bundestagswahlen: Empirische Befunde zur personellen Qualität der parlamentarischen Demokratie. Schüttemeyer S. S., Berkhoff P., Cordes M., Gabriel O. W., Hellmann D., Hönhe B., Kannenberg O., Kopsch S., Niedermayer O., Pyschny A. & Schindler D. (eds.). Nomos Verlagsgesellshaft, p. 123-158Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceedings › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-reviewPublic offenses against morality / Colette-Basecqz Nathalie & Blaise Noémie, 2024, Offenses: volume: offenses against sexual integrity, family order, public morality, minors, and vulnerable persons. 2nd edition ed. Brussels: Larcier, pp. 453-506 (Criminal law).Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceedings › ChapterBelgian law and religions: the contrasting autonomy of religious denominations and non-denominational philosophical communities with regard to holders of hybrid religious and philosophical functions / Mertens Romain, 2024, In: Public Administration - Quarterly. 2, pp. 222-237Research output: Contribution to journal › ArticleFamily law / Mathieu Géraldine, 2024, Brussels: Larcier. 640 p. (Collection of the Faculty of Law of UNamur)Research output: Book/Report/Journal › BookEtats généraux du droit de la famille V: Legal and judicial news in 2024 / Mathieu Géraldine (Editor) & Leleu Yves-Henri (Editor), 2024, 250 p.Research output: Book/Report/Journal › BookExercer sa présence à l'autre / Richard Claude, Lussier Marie-Thérèse & Givron Helene, Jun 2024, In: Exercer. 204, p. 276-278 3 p., 204.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-reviewFrom political adversaries to political enemies? Evolution of political styles in European democracies since the 1960s / Dodeigne Jérémy, Jan 2, 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › PaperIt's not only about the leader. Oligarchized personalization and preference voting in Belgium / Dodeigne Jérémy & Pilet Jean-Benoit, Jan 2024, In: Party Politics. 30, 1, p. 24-36 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-reviewThe stalking lover in the crosshairs of criminal law / Bourcelet Emma & Colette-Basecqz Nathalie, 2024, Criminal law: recent developments. Anthemis, Vol. Limal. p. 17-46 (Le pli juridique).Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceeding › ChapterThe new possibility for municipalities to subject certain establishments accessible to the public to an integrity investigation / Xavier François, 2024, In: Journal des tribunaux. 6996, p. 549-558Research output: Contribution to journal › ArticleCaring in times of crisis: an opportunity to rebuild ties. A two-voice reflection / Guillaume Genevieve & Bert Catherine, June 21, 2024, In: Canadian Journal of Bioethics. 7, 2-3, pp. 100-106 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-reviewThe spread of participatory budgeting: Procedural diversity, municipal context, and electoral drivers in the Belgian context / Jacquet Vincent, Minsart Elisa & Dodeigne Jérémy, Dec 2024, In: International Review of Administrative Sciences. 90, 4, p.773-792 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-reviewAiming for the well-being of medical students: results of a psychoeducational intervention implemented at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Namur / Schittek Alice, Givron Helene & Desseilles Martin, 2024, In: Pédagogie Médicale.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review All TRANSITIONS publications

Hardly a week goes by without reports of elected officials—often depicted as ‘populists’—having used vitriolic language and viciously attacked their opponents. In a context of ‘restyling of politics’, the style of political actors is presented as increasingly emotional and confrontational. Some scholars have argued that these styles directly challenge the democratic functioning of our modern societies. Yet, in the absence of longitudinal studies, such claims remain trivial intuitions and anecdotes that are as old as politics. Do the styles of modern politicians constitute new trends or reflect old habits? What are the factors constraining or favouring certain styles? Against a form of nostalgia for ‘good old times’, this project critically challenges the idea that emotive and confrontational styles are necessarily threats for our contemporary democracies. The central claim of this project is that not all hostility is equal. Conflicts are the democracy’s lifeblood allowing—and even requiring—heated disagreements, including sometimes uncivil and nasty interactions between political adversaries. By contrast, styles founded upon violence and intolerance must be considered as incompatible with the functioning of our pluralistic democracies: such styles transform political adversaries into enemies to be destroyed.  

The F.R.S.-FNRS has just published the results of its various 2024 calls. Equipment calls, research credits and projects, FRIA doctoral grants and Mandant d'Impulsion Scientifique (MIS), there are many instruments to support fundamental research. Find out more about UNamur's results.

In recent decades, electoral reforms have strengthened the individual dimension of elected representatives in proportional representation (PR) electoral systems. This general trend towards the "personalization of political life" is leading researchers to study its effects on intra-partisan competition.

Since 1979, the powers of the European Parliament (EP) have expanded considerably. However, the EP's ability to make full use of its decision-making capacity also depends on the profile of the MEPs who sit there. It is therefore important to examine the relationship between the political background of MEPs and their legislative behavior.