Alice Ingold

Alice Ingold is a historian and Director of Studies at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), where she has been a Maître de conférences since 2003 and is currently in the process of being nominated to a higher academic position. She is affiliated with the Centre de Recherches Historiques (CRH) and participates in the Groupe de Recherche sur l'Histoire de l'Environnement (GRHEN) and the Groupe de Géographie et d'Histoire des Territoires, de l'Environnement, des Ressources et des Sociétés (GGh-Terres).

Her research focuses on environmental history from the 19th to 20th centuries, with particular attention to water systems in France, Algeria, and Italy, as well as commons and property syndicates from the 18th to 21st centuries. She examines how social inquiries and territories have evolved during these periods, analyzing the complex relationships between communities, resources, and administrative structures. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary environmental concerns, exploring how past resource management practices inform current ecological challenges.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on water commons, hydraulic communities, and the historical governance of natural resources. She analyzes how commons have been historically managed outside traditional state frameworks, examining the tensions between customary practices, legal frameworks, and administrative interventions. Her research demonstrates how historical perspectives can challenge contemporary assumptions about resource management and property rights.

Dr. Ingold has held significant editorial and administrative responsibilities, including directing EHESS's Division of Publications and serving on various scientific councils. She teaches courses on environmental history and resource management, emphasizing the historical dimensions of contemporary environmental issues.