Benhamou Farid

Initial University Education

University of Tours
His initial training at the University of Tours, renowned for its geography programs, provided him with solid foundations in physical and human geography that would characterize his future specialization in environmental geography. The University of Tours, located in the Loire Valley, offers an ideal setting for understanding human-environment interactions.

Agrégation in Geography (2000)

Success in the agrégation competition
Obtaining the agrégation in geography in 2000 marks a crucial stage in his career. This national competition, one of the most selective in French education, attests to his exceptional mastery of the geographical discipline in all its diversity: physical geography, human geography, geopolitics, and cartography.

Teaching and Research Experience (2001-2005)

Monitor then ATER at University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
This formative period at one of France's most prestigious universities allowed him to develop his pedagogical skills while deepening his research. University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, renowned for its geography and history departments, offers a stimulating academic environment for a young researcher.

PhD in Geography-Environment (2007)

AgroParisTech - ENGREF (National School of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests)
The choice to pursue his PhD at AgroParisTech-ENGREF testifies to his desire to specialize in applied environmental geography. This institution, a world reference in agronomy, forestry, and environmental fields, provided him with conceptual and methodological tools to address complex nature conservation issues.

Research on Conservation Conflicts (since 1998)

Over 25 years of specialized research
Since 1998, nearly a quarter-century, Farid Benhamou has developed unique expertise on conflicts around bear and wolf conservation. This longevity in research allows him to analyze temporal evolutions of controversies and develop a fine understanding of territorial dynamics.

Innovative geopolitical approach
He is a pioneer in applying geopolitical approaches to local environmental issues. This original approach allows for deciphering strategies of different actors (farmers, ecologists, public authorities, scientists) and understanding power issues underlying conservation debates.

Professor in Preparatory Classes

Transmission of geographical excellence
As a geography professor in preparatory classes, he trains French student elite in contemporary geographical issues. This high-level pedagogical function allows him to transmit his passion for environmental geography to future national leaders.

Associate Researcher at Ruralités Laboratory (University of Poitiers)

Anchoring in rural space research
His affiliation with the Ruralités laboratory at the University of Poitiers fits perfectly with his specialization on environmental conflicts in rural areas. This laboratory, recognized for its work on rural space transformations, offers an ideal framework for his research.

Geographical Extension of Research

Environmental conflicts in Algeria
His research extends to environmental conflicts in Algeria, testifying to his ability to analyze environmental issues in different geographical and cultural contexts. This international dimension enriches his understanding of conflict mechanisms.

Arctic geopolitics
He also develops expertise on geopolitical issues of polar bear protection in the Arctic, demonstrating his ability to apply his analytical methods at different geographical scales, from local to global.

Institutional Functions

Member of the French National Committee of Geography (CNFG)
This function testifies to his recognition by peers as a leading expert. The CNFG brings together France's most eminent geographers and plays a crucial role in orienting the discipline.

Secretary of the Environment Geography - Risk Commission
This responsibility in a thematic commission of the CNFG confirms his leadership position in French environmental geography. This function allows him to orient national scientific debates in his specialty.

International Recognition

Member of scientific councils of international conferences
His participation in scientific councils of international conferences on species conservation testifies to international recognition of his expertise. This international dimension confirms the impact of his work beyond French borders.

Methodological Innovation

Creation of a new disciplinary approach
Farid Benhamou is a pioneer in applying geopolitics to local environmental issues. This methodological innovation opens new analytical perspectives for understanding conservation conflicts. His approach now influences many researchers in France and abroad.

Influence on Conservation Policies

Expertise for public decision-makers
His analyses of conflicts around bears and wolves nourish French public decision-makers' reflections on conservation policies. His fine understanding of territorial dynamics and actor strategies is valuable for developing more effective and better-accepted conservation policies.

Contribution to public research programs
His participation in research programs on environmental conflict management in Algeria testifies to recognition of his expertise by international research institutions.

Pedagogical Impact

Training future elites
As a professor in preparatory classes, he trains future French elites in contemporary geographical issues. His students, future leaders in public service, business, and research, are sensitized to complex nature conservation issues.

Renewal of geography teaching
His geopolitical approach to the environment renews geography teaching by showing how this discipline can illuminate the most complex contemporary issues.

Influence on Public Debate

Illuminating environmental controversies
His work provides rigorous scientific insight into passionate debates about large predator return in France. His geopolitical analysis allows moving beyond entrenched positions to understand issue complexity.

Mediation between science and society
He plays a mediator role between academic research and societal concerns, contributing to better public understanding of conservation issues.

International Influence

Contribution to world geography
His work on conservation geopolitics contributes to the international influence of French geography. His original approach is studied and cited by researchers worldwide.

Arctic expertise
His analyses on polar bear protection geopolitics in the Arctic confer recognized expertise on this strategic region, a major geopolitical issue of the 21st century.