Elsa Devienne

Elsa Devienne is an Assistant Professor in American history and American studies at Université Paris Nanterre. Her research focuses on the social and environmental transformation of Los Angeles’s shoreline during the 20th century, examining intersections of urban modernity, race, class, and gender.

• Education: Ph.D. in History, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS)

Her work analyzes how engineering projects, municipal policies, and cultural shifts reshaped beaches into contested spaces reflecting broader societal tensions. She uses interdisciplinary methods, combining archival research, urban planning documents, and cultural artifacts.

Scientific Awards

• Princeton-Mellon Fellow (2016)