Charles Mercier

Charles Mercier is a university professor of contemporary history at the University of Bordeaux, affiliated with the INSPE (National Higher Institute of Teaching and Education) and the Cultures – Education – Societies (LACES) laboratory. He teaches in the Master's program in Education, Teaching and Training (MEEF) and co-coordinates the 'Sciences with and for Society' initiative at the university.

His research centers on secularism, Catholicism, religious education, and the evolving religious identities of youth in the context of globalization. He investigates how young people perceive laïcité, engage with religious facts in public education, and participate in global Catholic events such as World Youth Day. His work also explores the historical transformation of religious institutions, including the Bayard press group and the role of women in Catholicism since the 1950s.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of religion, youth, and globalization, with an emphasis on transnational Catholic movements, interfaith dialogue, and the historical evolution of religious authority and expression. His scholarship combines historical analysis with sociological and educational perspectives.

Scientific Contributions and Public Engagement:

• Regular contributor to media such as Le Monde, Libération, and La Croix on issues of secularism and religion.
• Author of influential op-eds, including 'Prendre le risque d’écouter ce que les jeunes ont à dire sur la laïcité' (Le Monde, 2021).
• Co-editor of key volumes on secularism and Catholic governance in France.
• Active in public discourse on teacher training, religious education, and youth engagement with faith.

Research and Institutional Leadership:

• Conducts research at the LACES laboratory.
• Co-coordinates the 'Sciences with and for Society' label at the University of Bordeaux, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue between science and civil society.
• Involved in shaping national conversations on secularism and religious education through expert commentary and policy-relevant scholarship.