About
Rachel Thomas serves as Director of UMR 1563, a joint research unit between CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, ENSA Nantes, ENSA Grenoble, and Centrale Nantes since January 2022. Previously, she directed CRESSON and served as Deputy Director of UMR 1563 from September 2012 to December 2014. She is an elected member of section 39 'Spaces, Territories and Societies' for the period 2021-2025 and maintains international connections through the International Ambiances Network.
Professor Thomas's research focuses on sensory critique of urban environments, examining how atmospheres shape pedestrian experiences in public spaces. Her work investigates the political dimensions of urban atmospheres, particularly how spatial frameworks influence vulnerability, civility mechanisms, and potential exclusion processes. Key research themes include:
- Walking in the city and accessibility to urban public spaces
- Sanitization, standardization and pacification of pedestrian environments
- Sensitive critique of the urban as a theoretical framework
As a qualified HDR supervisor, Professor Thomas has directed multiple doctoral theses on topics ranging from children's vulnerability in urban environments to ambiances of the Anthropocene. Her research program represents a significant contribution to critical urban studies by bridging sensory experience with social and political critique.
Professor Thomas maintains active international collaborations, including previous research at Universidade Federal da Bahia in Brazil. Her leadership roles in major French research institutions demonstrate her standing in the field of urban studies and architectural research.
