William Genieys

William Genieys is a CNRS Research Director at the Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) at Sciences Po, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of political science and sociology. His work centers on the sociology of elites, public policy formulation, and transformations of the welfare state, with a particular focus on health policy in the United States and France. He leads multiple research projects and is actively engaged in academic and public discourse.

• Current Position: CNRS Research Director, Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE), Sciences Po
• Email: william.genieys@sciencespo.fr
• ORCID: Available

Research Interests
William Genieys specializes in the comparative sociology of elites, particularly unelected governmental elites who shape long-term policy outcomes. His research explores how career trajectories and institutional roles of policy insiders influence major reforms such as the Affordable Care Act in the US and welfare restructuring in France. He investigates the dynamics between 'custodians of policy' and 'austerians' in health insurance reforms across Western democracies and examines the role of elites in democratic backsliding, populist movements, and climate change adaptation. His work combines elite theory with policy analysis to understand state reconfiguration in contemporary democracies.

Recent Publications and Research Trends
His recent publications reflect a strong focus on insider-driven governance, elite continuity, and welfare state transformation. Books like A Government of Insiders (2024) and Elite, Policies and State Reconfiguration (2023) demonstrate a consistent analytical thread: the enduring power of non-elected policy elites in shaping major reforms. His journal articles span comparative politics, health policy, and administrative sociology, often drawing cross-national lessons from France, the US, Germany, and the UK. Emerging projects explore democratic legitimacy among elites and climate adaptation behaviors among wine-producing elites in Southern Europe.

Scientific Awards

• Excellence Prize in Political Science, Matéï Dogan Foundation (2013)
• IPPA Best Book Award for A Government of Insiders (2025)

Advising, Grants, and Public Engagement
While formal student advising is not explicitly detailed, Genieys leads collaborative research involving multiple scholars and institutions. He has secured competitive funding, including a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) grant for the 'Wine-Producers to the Challenge of Climate Change' project (2024–2026, €44,180). He co-leads an ANR-DGF Franco-German project (2018–2021) on health policy elites. He is an elected member of the IPPA College (since 2022) and contributes regularly to public debate through media outlets such as Le Monde, The Conversation, France Inter, and BFM TV, bridging academic research with policy and civic discourse.

Laboratories and Research Teams
Genieys is a core member of the Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) at Sciences Po, a leading interdisciplinary research center in political science and sociology. He contributes to several thematic research axes within the CEE, including 'The Government of Health Policies,' 'Transformations of Capitalism,' and 'Tensions in Representative Democracy.' He participates in the General Seminar of the CEE (SGCEE) and thematic seminars on social-ecological transitions and state policies. His collaborative network includes scholars from Germany (Nils Bandelow), the US, and across France, particularly within the CNRS and Sciences Po’s research units.