Arnault Barichella

Arnault Barichella is an Associate Researcher at the Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) at Sciences Po Paris, where he also completed his PhD in Political Science under the supervision of Professor Colin Hay. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Paris-Saclay, working on the ANR-funded PREVENT project focused on marine biodiversity governance. He teaches in the School of Public Affairs at Sciences Po and has affiliations with Université Paris-Dauphine and Université Paris-Saclay.

His educational background includes a Master's in European Affairs from Sciences Po Paris (2012–2014) and a BA in Modern History from the University of Oxford (2008–2011). He was a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University’s Department of Government (2018–2019).

Arnault's research is organized around two main themes: climate and energy governance and cybersecurity in the context of digital and energy transitions. His doctoral work analyzed the role of cities in global climate governance, with a comparative focus on Europe and the United States. He has published his thesis with Palgrave Macmillan and continues to explore multi-level and territorial governance in environmental policy. His second research axis examines the nexus of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure, particularly in energy systems. He is the editor-in-chief of the Palgrave Handbook of Cybersecurity, Technologies and Energy Transitions, a pioneering volume on the interplay between digital and ecological transformations.

His recent publications and presentations reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary analysis of sustainability transitions, combining political science, environmental policy, and technology governance. He frequently presents at international forums such as COP26, the International Forum on Cybersecurity in Lille, and academic institutions across Europe and North America.

Arnault has received recognition through the Jean Monnet Grant for transatlantic climate research and was selected as part of Sciences Po’s official delegation to COP26 in 2021.

• Jean Monnet Grant for transatlantic climate initiatives
• Member of Sciences Po delegation to COP26 (2021)

He has advised on and contributed to several research projects, including the PREVENT and NESMO initiatives, both focused on sustainable energy and environmental governance. He has not supervised any students formally listed, but actively mentors through teaching and public engagement. He has taught the course Global Climate Politics: Comparative EU-US Perspectives at Sciences Po’s Undergraduate College (2020–2023), and since 2023, a Master’s-level case study on COP negotiations. He also teaches these courses at Université Paris-Dauphine and Université Paris-Saclay.

Arnault is a key contributor to academic and policy discussions through his role at the CEE, his editorial leadership of a major Palgrave handbook, and his active participation in research networks and international conferences. He collaborates with institutions such as the Jacques Delors Institute, Harvard University, and the Elliott School of International Affairs. His work bridges academic research and policy practice, particularly in climate diplomacy and digital energy infrastructure.