Mathieu VIDAL

Mathieu Vidal is a Lecturer in Geography and Planning at the Jean-François Champollion National University Institute (INU Champollion) in Albi, France, and a member of LISST-CIEU (UMR CNRS 5193, University of Toulouse 2 Jean Jaurès). He serves as Director of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at INU Champollion since June 2022, coordinating activities for approximately 1,150 students, 9 diplomas, and 28 tenured staff members. Vidal is also a member of the National Council of Universities (CNU), section 24 "Spatial Planning, Urban Planning" since 2023, and co-manager of the CNRS International Research Network "Living in the Cities of the Future" (2019-2024).

Dr. Vidal completed his doctoral thesis "Les territoires politico-économiques face aux technologies de l'information et de la communication : entre métropolisation et différenciation territoriale" at Université Toulouse le Mirail - Toulouse II in 2006. His academic journey has been closely tied to the University of Toulouse system and its affiliated research institutions.

Mathieu Vidal's research focuses on the intersection of digital technologies and territorial development, with particular emphasis on connected cities and territories, digital public policies, and the transformation of public services in both urban and rural contexts. His work explores how digital transition affects spatial organization, citizen engagement, and service delivery across different territorial scales. Vidal investigates the ambivalent nature of digital solutions in addressing territorial inequalities, examining both their potential to reduce digital divides and their capacity to create new forms of exclusion. His interdisciplinary approach combines geography, urban planning, and digital studies to understand contemporary territorial challenges.

Vidal's extensive publication record reveals a consistent focus on the digital transformation of territories, with particular attention to smart city initiatives, third places, and digital public services. His recent work increasingly addresses artificial intelligence applications in local governance and the ethical implications of algorithmic decision-making in urban contexts. The geographical scope of his research spans France, with growing international collaborations in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Canada, Ivory Coast, and Senegal through the IRN "Living in the Cities of the Future." His publications demonstrate a methodological diversity, combining qualitative case studies with participatory research approaches to understand digital transitions from multiple perspectives.

As President of the Villes Internet Association since January 2019, Vidal leads a national transpolitical organization bringing together 450 communities focused on supporting digital transition in local governments. The association promotes community actions through the "Atlaas" platform and the "Villes Internet" Label, traditionally awarded by a Minister. Vidal also co-manages the Cafés Géo Albigeois since 2010, organizing six to eight conferences annually on geographical topics, totaling over 100 conferences to date. His leadership extends to coordinating the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at INU Champollion, overseeing a significant academic community.

Through his role as co-manager of the IRN "Living in the Cities of the Future," Vidal coordinates an international scientific network connecting researchers from France, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Canada, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. This network facilitates comparative research on urban futures across different geographical and cultural contexts. At LISST-CIEU, he contributes to the Multidisciplinary Research Group on Territories and Environments Outside Metropolitan Areas (TEHM), focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities of non-metropolitan territories in the digital age.