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De la morale dans l'air. Une enquête sur les métrologies citoyennes de la pollution de l'air

This seminar session will be presented by Jean-Baptiste Garrocq. He will outline the results of his research on the uses and tensions associated with measuring air pollution.

Event, Research Seminar

Salle du Conseil, 13 rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris

Abstract

Air pollution is considered by many stakeholders to be one of the biggest causes of mortality in France. Although environmental historians have shown that air pollution has been regulated by the authorities since at least the 18th century, the problem took shape throughout the second half of the 20th century through a process of metrologisation, whereby measurement gradually became the only legitimate means of assessing the reality of air pollution. However, metrology is at the heart of many tensions regarding the quality of measurement objects, the correct ways to measure air, and the possibilities for action based on measurements.

The thesis analyses how metrology is embodied by different audiences (activist associations and collectives, experts, start-ups) and in different practices in which air measurement is linked to experiences, normative horizons, senses of justice, politicisation processes and mechanisms. Starting with the uses of air pollution microsensors, the thesis traces how these different actors view the reality of air pollution based on measurements. Our argument is that the possibilities for accountability associated with measurements help explain the different interpretations of the reality of air pollution. Indeed, while all these actors agree on the deadly nature of these pollutants, they have different views on the possibilities for action based on measurements and clash in contests where they attempt to assert their metrological reality regarding air pollution.

Biography

Jean-Baptiste Garrocq completed a thesis in sociology at Sciences Po's medialab, under the supervision of Sylvain Parasie. His doctoral research focuses on environmental conflicts related to air pollution, environmental justice issues related to environmental measurement, and new forms of environmental criticism. In particular, he is attempting to develop an ethnographic approach through objects, which involves investigating the dissemination of measuring devices within contemporary societies. He has published articles in various French scientific journals (Réseaux, Revue d'Anthropologie des Connaissances) and American journals (Journal of Consumer Culture). He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Écologiser l’industrie ? Chair at Gustave Eiffel University.

Practical informations

This seminar will be held in person and in English, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, in salle du Conseil, 13 rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris.

Registration is mandatory via this link.