Michel Younès

Michel Younès is Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Catholic University of Lyon (UCLy), a position he assumed on September 1, 2023, for a three-year term. He is Professor of Theology and Islamology at UCLy and leads the Center for the Study of Cultures and Religions (CECR). Since 2020, he has served as Deputy Director of the Research Unit 'CONFLUENCE Sciences & Humanities' at UCLy. He coordinates PLURIEL, the University Platform for Research on Islam in Europe and Lebanon, and the seminar 'Religions and Businesses.' Previously, he co-directed the university diploma 'Religion, Religious Freedom and Secularism' from 2013 to 2019.

Professor Younès specializes in Islamic studies, theology of religions, and Christian-Muslim dialogue. His research explores religious fundamentalism, authority in Islam, Eastern Christianity, and the intersection of religion with workplace dynamics. His work examines how religious diversity manifests in contemporary society, particularly in the Mediterranean context, and investigates theological frameworks for interfaith understanding. He has contributed significantly to understanding Islamic-Christian relations through historical, theological, and sociological lenses, with particular attention to religious otherness and the challenges of religious pluralism in secular societies.

His scholarly output reveals consistent engagement with theological dialogue, religious authority, and the practical implications of religious diversity in contemporary contexts. Younès analyzes how religious traditions interact with modern challenges including freedom of expression, workplace accommodation, and intercultural communication. His recent work focuses on the Document on Human Fraternity from Abu Dhabi, Fratelli Tutti, and the theological foundations for religious coexistence.

As coordinator of PLURIEL, Professor Younès leads an international research network connecting scholars across Europe and Lebanon. He directs the Center for the Study of Cultures and Religions (CECR) at UCLy, where he oversees research groups examining religious fundamentalism and authority in Islamic contexts. His leadership extends to academic initiatives promoting dialogue between religious traditions and fostering understanding of religious diversity in professional environments.