Major Events in May 2026

Socialism and Liberal Egalitarianism: A Necessary Dialogue

Symposium organized by Lea Ypi, visiting professor at the Annual Chair “The Invention of Europe through languages and cultures.”

This symposium aims to explore a vital dialogue between two major traditions of contemporary political thought: socialism and liberal egalitarianism. Both aim to reduce inequalities and promote social justice, but they differ on the means and principles that should guide this transformation. This symposium brings together philosophers, economists, and political theorists to examine how these two approaches can complement and enrich one another. 

May 15 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Maurice Halbwachs lecture hall).

The Evolution of Developmental Mechanisms

Symposium organized by Professor Denis Duboule, holder of the Chair in Evolution of Development and Genomes.

Over the past thirty years, with the advent of genome sequencing, the link between these mechanisms and our DNA has become clear, opening up a new field of study that seeks to identify the basis of these evolutionary changes within our genetic material. This year’s symposium takes stock of these advances by presenting several notable examples.

May 21 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Guillaume Budé lecture hall).

Electronic Transfer II

Symposium organized by Louis Fensterbank, Full Professor of the Activations in Molecular ChemistryChair .

The symposium “Electron Transfer II” will provide a broad overview of advances in the field of single-electron transfer in molecular chemistry.

May 21 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Maurice Halbwachs lecture hall).

Symbiosis: From Plant-Microbe Mutualism to the Symbiotic Economy and Cooperation

Symposium organized by Claude Grison, visiting professor at the Avenir Commun Durable Annual Chair.

Living organisms are animated by a secret life made up of encounters, interactions, and associations that are sometimes unexpected. These biotic interactions can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful. The symposium will present several concrete examples illustrating the importance of these interactions within living organisms, particularly when they are subjected to imposed stress. Subsequently, it will demonstrate how this association has become the starting point for the restoration of severely degraded soil. The results of this ecological restoration have given rise to a new symbiotic economy: the recreated ecosystem generates a valuable mineral resource that is harnessed according to the concept of ecocatalysis. This beneficial partnership between human activity and Nature fosters a regenerative economy capable of replacing the extractive model.

May 26 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Guillaume Budé amphitheater).

Toward a Functional Landscape Ecology for a Resilient and Sustainable Future

Symposium organized by Sandra Lavorel, visiting professor of the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Chair.

This symposium will bring together researchers specializing in functional ecology, landscape ecology and genetics, and sustainability sciences to discuss the latest findings on the mechanisms linking landscape structure, biodiversity, and the multiple functions of Ecosystems, and how these insights can be harnessed to shape and guide regional development toward a resilient and sustainable future.

May 27 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Mireille Delmas-Marty lecture hall).

Earth, a Dynamic Planet: A Tribute to Xavier Le Pichon

Symposium organized by Professors Edouard Bard, Chair of Climate and OceanEvolution , and Alessandro Morbidelli, Chair of Planetary Formation: from Earth to Exoplanets.

May 28 and 29 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Marguerite de Navarre lecture hall).

Paul Casanova, Egypt, and the Quran

Symposium organized by Professor François Déroche, holder of the Chair in History of the Qurʾān: Text and Transmission.

May 28 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Maurice Halbwachs lecture hall).

Oxidative Stress and Response to Cancer Therapy

Symposium organized by Professor Hugues de Thé, holder of the Chair inCellular and MolecularOncology .

May 29 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Guillaume Budé lecture hall).

Mental Health and Addiction: Understanding Determinants to Improve Population Well-Being

Symposium organized by Maria Melchior, Visiting Professor of the Public Health Annual Chair.

This symposium will explore factors related to mental health and addiction, focusing on social determinants, through multidisciplinary studies aimed at improving well-being and reducing addiction on a large scale.

May 29 at the Collège de France (Marcelin Berthelot campus, Mireille Delmas-Marty lecture hall).