Fabien Locher

Fabien Locher is a CNRS Research Fellow at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), affiliated with the Centre de Recherches Historiques (CRH) where he leads the Research Group in Environmental History (GRHEN). Based in Paris at 54, boulevard Raspail, he serves on multiple prestigious academic bodies including the Office of the Scientific Council of INSHS, the jury of section 53 of the CNRS, and the Laboratory Council of the Historical Research Center (UMR8558). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of RUCHE (the network of French environmental historians) and participates in the scientific council of the ANR LIFEDEEPER project and the interdisciplinary GDR OMER (Ocean and SEAs).

Locher's research focuses on the long history of climate change knowledge from the 15th to 21st centuries, commons and global commons history, ecological thought history including population and neo-Malthusianism, geosciences history (particularly atmosphere, climate, seas and oceans), and 20th century environmental history of marine environments. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary environmental concerns, examining how past understandings shape present approaches to environmental governance.

His most recent publications include 'Chaos in the Heavens. The Forgotten History of Climate Change' (2024) with Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, continuing his exploration of historical climate understanding that began with 'The Revolts of the Sky' (2020). His research shows a clear trajectory examining how societies have historically conceptualized and governed environmental resources, particularly focusing on property relations and commons management across different historical periods and geographical contexts.

Locher has led significant research projects including the ANR GOVENPRO project (2014-2018) on environmental governance through property rights across Europe, the United States, and post-colonial worlds from the late 18th century to present, and the 'War and Environment in the 20th Century' project (2014-2017) funded by the Île-de-France Sustainable Development Research Network.

His scholarly contributions reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of environmental knowledge systems, governance structures, and historical change, with particular attention to how concepts of property and commons have shaped human relationships with atmospheric and marine environments throughout history.