Philippe Boulanger

Philippe Boulanger is a University Professor of Geography at Sorbonne University, holding a doctorate from Paris-Sorbonne University (1998). He maintains affiliations with the Institute of Geography and Mediations research unit, and has held concurrent positions at École Normale Supérieure de Paris, Panthéon-Assas University, Panthéon-Sorbonne University, Saint-Cyr-Coetquidan Military Schools, and the War College.

His doctoral training at Paris-Sorbonne University established his foundation in geographical sciences, leading to a career focused on military and historical dimensions of spatial analysis.

Professor Boulanger specializes in historical geography, geopolitics, military geography, and geostrategy, with expanding research into geospatial intelligence, national security frameworks, and media-driven geopolitical narratives. His work bridges academic theory and defense applications through the Geography and Defense research seminar, which convenes policymakers from foreign affairs, armed forces, and interior ministries alongside defense industries and think tanks since 2013.

His publication record from 2002-2020 reveals consistent thematic evolution from classical military geography toward digital intelligence systems and contemporary security challenges, with increasing emphasis on geopolitical media dynamics and resource conflicts in recent works.

He received the Lucien Bonaparte-Wyse Prize from the Paris Geographical Society in 2003 for pioneering research in French military geography.

Professor Boulanger directs the Revue de géographie historique journal since 2012 and organizes international conferences on defense geography, while leading collaborative projects between Sorbonne University, École normale supérieure, and defense sector partners through the Geography and Defense seminar.