News

Thomas Römer reappointed Chairman of the Collège de France

By decree of the President of the French Republic dated August 14, 2025, Thomas Römer, Professor of the Collège de France, is reappointed Chairman of the Collège de France, with effect from September 1, 2025.

Thomas Römer

A professor at the Collège de France since 2007, Thomas Römer spent four years as Vice-President of the Collège de France Assembly, and five years as Director of the Institute of Civilizations, before being appointed Chairman of the Collège de France on September 1,2019, by decree of the President of the Republic, following his election by the Collège de France Assembly.

Reappointed to this post in September 2022, he has just seen his mandate renewed for a third time for a 3-year term, by decree of the President of the Republic dated August 14, following his re-election by his colleagues at the Collège de France assembly on June 29, 2025.

In this context, Thomas Römer will focus on further enhancing the institution's influence and attractiveness, at a time when many of Collège de France's professorships will be renewed in the coming years. In an ever-stronger spirit of collegiality, he will ensure the necessary balance between the sciences and the humanities, as well as taking into account the challenges of parity and diversity.

It will also strive to consolidate the Collège de France's exceptional research environment, by hosting and managing more research contracts, supporting the careers of young researchers and promoting the institution's financial autonomy through the development of its own resources.

The dialogue between science and society, the broadening and diversification of the Collège de France's audience, the institution's influence in the regions and the development of European and international relations will be the focus for the development of new partnerships, which should enable the institution to further increase its influence in France and abroad.

Finally, sustainable development and social responsibility, the quest for parity and inclusivity, the fight against discrimination and respect for scientific integrity will continue to be at the forefront of the Collège de France's institutional project, which will be established in 2026, in the service of its community of professors, researchers and administrative staff.

These projects and ambitions will be developed in the exceptional context of preparations for the fifth centenary of the Collège de France, which will take place in 2030.

My mandate will be guided by my attachment to this magnificent institution, the Collège de France, a unique place in the world whose singularity must be preserved: freedom of research and the willingness to share its results with everyone, free of charge and unconditionally. This is more important than ever at a time when efforts to promote knowledge, objectivity and rational dialogue are under threat from all sides. I pledge that the Collège de France will continue to uphold these ideals, in keeping with the principles that led to its creation, while further expanding its influence, action and impact among researchers, decision-makers and the general public. The preparations for the 500th anniversary of the Collège de France, which have already begun and which I'd like to accompany right up to the eve of the event, will be an opportunity to identify the challenges to be met and the opportunities to be seized, so that our establishment can present itself in 2030 in its best light.

Thomas Römer - Chairman of the Collège de France