معرفی
David Koussens is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Sherbrooke, and holds the Research Chair in Law, Religion, and Secularism. He is a member of the Collège des nouveaux chercheurs, artistes et scientifiques of the Société royale du Canada (2024), and has been a Max Weber Fellow (2010-2011) and postdoctoral researcher at the Université de Montréal (2011).
- Education: Licence en droit (Université catholique de Lille), Maîtrise en droit public (Lille II), DEA en droits de l'homme (Paris X), DESS en administration publique (Paris X), LL.M in international law (UQAM), Doctorat en sociologie (UQAM).
Research Interests: His work analyzes the pluralism of secularism discourses and their legal mediations in French-speaking societies (Quebec, France, Belgium). Key areas include religious diversity, secularization processes, judicial regulation of religious symbols, and LGBTQ+ rights in secular contexts. He leads research at the Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religion (SoDRUS) and CRIDAQ, and is associated with GSRL (France) and LibObs (Quebec).
Recent Trends: His publications focus on comparative secularism (Quebec-France-Belgium), religious symbols in public institutions, LGBTQ+ activism and secularism, and legal definitions of religion. Notably, he cofounded the Quebec Society for the Study of Religion (2016-2020) and chairs the Corporation canadienne des sciences religieuses (2023–present).
- Scientific Awards:
- Election to the Collège des nouveaux chercheurs, artistes et scientifiques (2024)
- Senior Fellowship, University of Leipzig (2023)
- Prix Tremplin en recherche et en création, University of Sherbrooke (2017)
- Grants: Over $2 million in research funding, including grants from CRSH, FRQSC, and Quebec government for projects on LGBTQ+ seniors, intercultural dialogue, and religious diversity management.
