Kevin Limonier is a lecturer in geography and Slavic studies at the French Institute of Geopolitics (Paris 8 University) and deputy director of GEODE, a Center of Excellence selected by France's Ministry of the Armed Forces. His research focuses on the geopolitics of Russian-speaking cyberspace, digital sovereignty, and open-source intelligence (OSINT), with particular relevance to the Ukraine conflict and Russian information warfare. His work bridges digital and physical spaces, challenging traditional notions of cyberspace by proposing the datasphere as a tangible layer of reality. He has developed tools for tracking information dissemination on social networks and analyzing Russian strategies of influence, including fake news and support for political figures like Marine Le Pen. Expertise : Digital ethnography, cybersecurity, Russian strategic studies Key Contributions : Co-editor of Hérodote issue 186 on OSINT, fieldwork in Dubna (Russia) on nuclear cities and hacker communities His articles highlight trends in cyber geopolitics , Ukraine war analysis , digital sovereignty , and Russian influence operations , particularly in Africa and Europe.
National School of Library and Information ScienceFrance
Olivier Le Deuff serves as University Professor of Information and Communication Sciences at Bordeaux Montaigne University, specializing in digital information ecosystems, epistemology, and critical assessment methodologies. His research portfolio centers on: Digital Humanities frameworks Information epistemology and constructed knowledge Advanced OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) techniques Disinformation countermeasures and platform accountability Technical-political culture of information Lifelong information literacy development Le Deuff advocates transcending traditional EMI (Education aux Médias et à l'Information) through Kantian enlightenment principles and Simondon's technical object theory, emphasizing that quality information requires understanding its non-neutral construction processes. His work critically examines OSINT's dual role in reactive disinformation verification and proactive investigative journalism, while challenging unrealistic expectations of universal critical thinking skills in digital environments.
Jacopo Rasmi is a Senior Lecturer in Visual Arts, Italian Studies and Society at the Faculty of Arts, Letters, and Languages of Université Jean Monnet, affiliated with the ECLLA Laboratory. In 2025, he received the prestigious appointment as a Junior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), recognizing his exceptional research contributions. His academic journey includes a PhD in "Literature and Arts - Performing Arts" from the University of Grenoble Alpes (2019), preceded by a binational Master's degree in Franco-Italian Studies. Professor Rasmi's research sits at the intersection of environmental humanities and media theory, with a particular focus on documentary cinema and alternative distribution models. His work examines how films navigate digital networks, seeking alternatives to dominant platformization. Key research areas include OSINT investigations for ecological conflicts, weird energy studies, and media extinction phenomena. His approach combines media archaeology with ecological thinking to address contemporary environmental challenges through cinematic and media lenses. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on ecological film studies, alternative media distribution, and the relationship between media theory and environmental crisis. The research trends show increasing attention to practical alternatives for film distribution outside mainstream platforms, creative responses to ecological crisis through media, and the application of OSINT techniques to environmental investigations. His work demonstrates a consistent commitment to developing alternative frameworks for understanding media in the ecological age. Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) Junior appointment (2025) Member of editorial board of Multitudes journal (2016-) Member of editorial board of Documentaires journal and vice-president of publishing association (2017-) Professor Rasmi actively supervises research through his involvement in doctoral seminars and research groups. His editorial roles and participation in numerous scientific committees demonstrate his commitment to fostering scholarly discourse. His research projects indicate active funding and collaboration opportunities, particularly in the areas of ecological media studies and alternative film distribution. As part of the ECLLA Laboratory, Professor Rasmi contributes to research axis focused on 'Creations under tension,' working with colleagues on documentary cinema, environmental humanities, and media theory. His collaborative projects with researchers like Yves Citton, Lena Dormeau, and others demonstrate a strong team-based research approach that bridges disciplines and institutions.
Olivier Le Deuff is a Professor of Information and Communication Sciences at the University of Bordeaux Montaigne, specifically at the IUT (Institut Universitaire de Technologie) Bordeaux Montaigne. He has been teaching at this institution since 2011 and became a university professor in 2023. He is the head of the third year of the Bachelor of Technology (BUT) in Information and Communication, specializing in Digital Information in Organizations. Recently, he was appointed as a senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) for the Class of 2025, a distinction recognizing the scientific excellence of his academic work. His academic affiliations include: University of Bordeaux Montaigne / IUT Bordeaux Montaigne (Current) MICA research unit (Current) Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) - Senior Member, Class of 2025 Université de Montréal (EBSI) - Invited professor University of Luxembourg (C2DH) - Invited researcher GIS des URFIST - President of scientific council since 2022 Professor Le Deuff's research focuses on the epistemology of information and documents, digital humanities, literacies (informational, digital, algorithmic), and open-source intelligence (OSINT) practices. His work explores the relationship between documentation, knowledge organization, and digital technologies, with particular attention to how these elements shape contemporary information practices. His recent IUF project 'HyperION' investigates digital investigation practices through the concept of 'hyperinvestigation,' combining OSINT methodologies with document engineering. Professor Le Deuff is the author of several influential books, including 'La formation aux cultures numériques' (2009), 'Humanités digitales : historique et développements' (2018), and 'Hyperdocumentation' (2021). He has also created open-source knowledge visualization tools such as Otletosphere and Cosma, which support digital humanities research and OSINT investigations. His research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical software development, reflecting his commitment to combining scholarship with technological innovation. His scientific recognition includes being appointed as a senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Class of 2025. This prestigious appointment places him among France's most distinguished researchers and provides additional resources to advance his work on hyperinvestigation and digital documentation. Professor Le Deuff leads the MatrioscIA project, which examines how AI technologies are transforming OSINT methodologies, particularly in investigative journalism. He has directed or participated in numerous research projects including RICSA for the Maif Foundation, ANR HyperOtlet, and the AlgoJ project with Rayya Roumanos. His work demonstrates a consistent commitment to understanding the evolving relationship between information, documentation, and digital technologies. He has supervised research through his habilitation 'Documentation and digital humanities' (defended in 2017) and currently co-directs the E3D axis of the MICA laboratory. His international collaborations include work with scholars at the University of Montréal and the University of Luxembourg, reflecting the global relevance of his research on digital documentation and information practices.
