Mathieu Durand

Mathieu Durand is a Professor in Planning and Urbanism at Le Mans University, affiliated with the UMR ESO CNRS research unit. He serves as Head of the Master's program in Waste Management and Engineering and Circular Economy since 2013, and as Head of Relations with Socio-Economic Worlds at UFR LLSH Le Mans University since 2023. Durand is also an ESO Axis Leader for the research theme 'The (re)localization of politics' (2022-2027) and co-manager of the ESO-Le Mans site. His academic career spans multiple international contexts, with research focusing on waste management in both developed and developing countries.

His educational background includes a Doctorate in Geography from University of Rennes 2 (2010) on waste management and environmental inequalities in Lima, Peru, supervised by Vincent Goueset and Robert D'Ercole. Prior to his doctorate, he earned a Professional Master's in Environmental Management (2005) and a Research Master's from the Institute of the Americas in Rennes. His early career included research positions at the French Institute of Andean Studies in Peru and teaching roles at universities in Colombia and Peru.

Durand's research centers on waste management systems, environmental inequalities, and circular economy models across diverse geographical contexts. His work examines the spatial dimensions of waste flows, the social implications of waste management policies, and the relationship between urban metabolism and environmental justice. He has developed the concept of 'rudology' to analyze waste as a social and spatial phenomenon, particularly focusing on how waste management practices reveal and reinforce social inequalities. His research spans multiple continents, with fieldwork in France, Peru, Colombia, Haiti, and various African countries.

His publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory from analyzing waste management in Global South contexts to examining how these lessons can inform circular economy approaches in developed countries. Recent work increasingly focuses on the impacts of crises (including pandemics and natural disasters) on waste management systems, and how proximity—both spatial and social—affects waste governance. His research bridges theoretical frameworks of political ecology with practical waste management challenges.

• Member of the University Institute of France (2018-2023)
• Winner of the transition prize of the Campus Angers Le Mans Promotion Trophies

Durand has supervised numerous doctoral students working on waste-related topics across different geographical contexts. His research is supported by significant grants including PEPR Recycling (ANR), PEPR Plastics (ANR), CNRS Thematic Network Waste Values and Societies, and the ComReVa project funded by Caisse des Dépôts. He has led multiple research projects including DEPOCO (post-COVID waste), PlasMaTerr (end-of-use plastics), LowTT-WUN (Low-Tech Territories, Waste and Urban Networks), DEPOS (post-hurricane waste), ORVA2D (waste valorization in developing cities), and MUEED (urban metabolism, environmental footprint and waste management policy).

As part of the ESO research unit (Spaces and Societies), Durand contributes to the 'ECOPOL' research site focusing on environmental politics and policies. His work connects with interdisciplinary teams examining urban metabolism, territorial ecology, and environmental justice across multiple scales—from local French contexts to international comparative studies.