2018 – Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris

• Habilitation à diriger des recherches (Accreditation to supervise research)

1996 – École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), Paris

• PhD, Graduate School of Social Sciences

1990 – École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), Paris

• Master Degree in Contemporary History

1989 – INALCO Institute of Oriental Studies and ISP Institute of Political Sciences, Paris  

• Joint Diploma of Advanced International Studies

Since 2026 Director of the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (Hong Kong)

2009-Present Associate Professor, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris

2023-2025 Co-director of the French Academic Network for Asian Studies (GIS Asie), Paris

2018-2021 Director of the Sino-French Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing

2013–2018 Member of the Electoral Commission of the PRODIG Laboratory (UMR 8586), Paris

2011-2012 Visiting Professor, Institut catholique d’études supérieures (ICES), La Roche-sur-Yon

2009–2014 Mission Officer to the Vice-President of Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (responsible for relations with Chinese, Hong Kong, and Taiwanese universities), Paris

2007-2008 Visiting Professor, The Beijing Center (TBC), Beijing

2006–2007 Visiting Professor, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Shanghai

2003–2005 Assistant of the University Attaché, Consulate General of France in Shanghai (implementation of Sino-French university cooperation programs, organization of conferences, public relations), Shanghai

2003-2005 Senior research fellow, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Shanghai

2002–2003 Research Fellow, Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies, Nanjing

2000–2001 Associate Researcher, Center for Studies on Modern and Contemporary China, EHESS, Paris

1997–2000 Associate Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

1996–1997 Visiting Scholar, Universities Service Centre for China Studies (USC) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

AFFILIATED MEMBER

PRODIG (Research Pole for the Organization and Dissemination of Geographic Information)

CECMC (Center for Modern and Contemporary China Studies)

AFEC (French Association for Chinese Studies)

Réseau Asie (Asia Network)

Institut Convergences Migrations

IWHA (International Water History Association)

GRANTS

2022-2025 “The process of selecting items as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Hong Kong, its impact on local communities and the definition of ICH in a comparative perspective” (Procore Program – Campus France – project leader)

2021 “Governance and enhancement of intangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong” International Mobility Stay (SMI) 4 months – CNRS research program

2017-2019 “Migrant mobilization and economic opportunities: A comparison of young Three Gorges Dam (TGD) migrants’ experience in Guangdong and Shanghai” (Procore Program – Campus France – project leader)

2002 Research Fellow at Hopkins-Nanjing Center – Johns Hopkins University

1996 Bibliographic work in Hong Kong – Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lavoisier Scholarship)

1994 Fieldwork and interviews in Beijing as part of the Doctorate – Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cultural Areas Scholarship)

PROJECTS & COOPERATION

2022-2024 Project leader for “The process of selecting items as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong, its impact on local communities and the definition of ICH in a comparative perspective.” (Campus-France Procore)

2021 Project leader for “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong: A Specific Culture in Southern China”, preliminary project funded by CNRS

2019-2021 Co-director with Guillaume Dutournier “Cultural Values in the Making: Governing through Intangible Heritage in Contemporary China”

Since 2019 Co-editor with HO Wing Chung of the “Margins of Development” collection of Routledge

2018–2020 Project leader for Campus-France Procore project “Migrant mobilization and economic opportunities: A comparison of young Three Gorges Dam (TGD) migrants’ experience in Guangdong and Shanghai”.

2015 Project leader for Campus-France XU Guangqi project “Contradictions between urban planning and resident appropriation – the case of Xi’an and Shanghai”.

2011 Project leader for “Metropolozation process in Shanghai: From the Peripheries to the World”, funded by the PRODIG laboratory

2010 Co-director with V. Laurans of the program “Urban Development in Shanghai – Economic profitability challenged by social equity”

2009–2015 Member of the NORAO network (New Regional Organizations in East Asia) (Leaders: T. Sanjuan and M. Franck)

2009–2012 ANR Member: Périsud: Territorial Dynamics on the Periphery of Southern Metropolises, UMR Prodig and Ladyss, IRD (Leader J.-L.Chaleard).

2006 Political and Moral Sociology Group – The politics of the near, EHESS (program coordinated by L. Thévenot)

CONFERENCE ORGANISATION & TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2025

• Organized and chair 2 days international conference titled “Chinese Heritage Arenas – Territories & Heritage Practices in Contemporary Sinophone Worlds” with Judith Audin, Du Juan & Anne-Christine Trémon at the Condorcet campus (November 21-22, 2024)

2024

• Organized a study day with Judith Audin at the Condorcet campus titled “Rethinking Territories from the Perspective of Heritage Practices and Inhabitants in Mainland China” (January 25, 2024)

2023

• Organized and conducted a seminar titled “Hong Kong’s Intangible Cultural Heritage: Transmitting a Living Tradition and Giving Visibility” at Hong Kong Shue Yan University (February 21, 2023)
• Organized a seminar in collaboration with the South China Research Center and CEFC titled “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong – A Dialogue with Masters (June 24-25, 2023, HKUST)
• Participated in and chaired a panel at an international conference organized by CUHK and Shue Yan titled “International Conference on Hong Kong Studies from Cross-disciplinary Perspective” (June 23-24, 2023, Shue Yan). Presented paper titled “Intangible Cultural Heritage at stakes: the transmission issue in Hong Kong local communities”.

2022

• Organized and conducted a seminar titled “Hong Kong’s Living Heritage: Creative Ways to Promote Intangible Cultural Heritage” at CEFC Hong Kong (September 17, 2022)

2021

• Organized and conducted a roundtable discussion titled “How can social sciences address the local today?” – La Nuit des Idées – Beijing (January 28, 2021)
• Organized and conducted a seminar titled “Governing Through Intangible Heritage in China” at CEFC Hong Kong (December 6, 2021)

2020

• Presented “From the Three Gorges to Guangdong – The story of Three Gorges resettlers” at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University (January 6, 2020)
• Co-organized a two-day heritage workshop with EFEO-Beijing titled “Becoming Heritage Today in China: Valuing Traditional Practices and Know-how between Actor Trajectories and Normative Constructions” (December 3-4, 2020).

Presented “French pragmatic sociology through the works of Laurent Thévenot” at a seminar on Pragmatic Sociology, Beijing Normal University (December 8, 2020)

• I also created an online course program titled “Understanding China Today” for the company Artly (https://academy.artips.fr/fr/chine) in 2020.

2019

• Organized a study day on “Marginalization and Internal Migration in Contemporary (City University of Hong Kong)” with a presentation on “A government planned project and its impacts on people’s identity: the issue of attachment in the case of the Three Gorges resettles”
• Organized a seminar week and field surveys on “The Renewal of Pragmatic Sociology: A Sino-French Encounter”, Beijing Normal University
• Participated in the RC21@Delhi conference on “In and Beyond the City” with a presentation on “Changing neighborhood in Shanghai at rapid speed – How do a local community like Tianzifang cope with these transformations”.
• Participated as a discussant in a conference titled “Theorizing (Im)Material Cultural Heritage in China” at Renmin University’s Department of Archaeology (Beijing)
• Co-organized a summer school with the Sino Swiss Science and Technology Program and the journalism department of Beijing University titled “What can be learnt from the French experience on urban development: China’s urbanization through the French point of view”

2018

• Presented “Population Displacement and Sustainable Development in the Case of the Three Gorges Reservoir” at Environmental Humanities – Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Presented “The transformations of the metropolis of Shanghai seen through the development of the Tianzifang island” at the seminar Sociology of Contemporary China: The Contribution of Social Sciences (ENS)
• Presented “The reappropriation of common space by residents in Xi’an and Shanghai after a phase of modernization-renovation” at the seminar Anthropology of Spaces and Territories – East Asia in perspective (EHESS)
• Organized a study day titled “Living at the Margins in and of Cities Social sciences approaches” at EHESS with a presentation on “When a marginal area is transformed into a touristic high spot (Shanghai and Xi’an)”

2017

• Organized a workshop titled “Development-induced Migration in India and China: A Comparative Look at the Burdens of Growth” at the 6th French Network for Asian Studies International Conference (Paris) and presented on “The displaced from the Three Gorges in Guangdong: memory, trauma and adaptation of families”

2016

• Organized a workshop titled “The social impact of internal migrations in China – planned migration and economic migration” at the ICAS 10 International Convention of Asian Scholars (Chiang Mai University) and presented on “The Three Gorges Dam Resettlees in Shanghai and Guangdong, Memory, Trauma and Adaptation of Families”

2015

• Presented on “The new look of the metropolis of Shanghai on its countryside” at the Labex Dynamite workshop “Cities and countryside in relations: cross perspectives North-South” (in collaboration with E. Véron)
• Presented on “The Resettlees from the Three Gorges Getting to Guangdong – Adaptation and Dilemma” at the AAG Association of American Geographers conference (University of Chicago) in the panel Migration in China: Housing and Living Experience in the City

2014

• Presented on “The social transformations of the Tianzifang lilong in Shanghai” at the Annual Conference of the Commission on Urban Anthropology [CUA-IUAES] (Jean Monnet University, Saint Etienne)
• Presented on “The emblematic case of the Three Gorges displaced, analyzed ten years later in the village of Yaoshan in Guangdong province. How have international recommendations influenced the actions of local officials? What are their margins of maneuver?” at the EASA 2014 European Association of Social Anthropologists conference (University of Tallinn, Estonia)

2013

• Organized a discussion group on “After 10 years, looking at the 3 Gorges Experience” at the ICAS 8 International Convention of Asian Scholars (University of Macau) including four presentations. Presented on “Boundaries between ‘Them’ and ‘Us’: The New Definition of Social and Collective Identity for the Three Gorges Resettlees in Guangdong

• Book

Padovani F, 2025, Du barrage des Trois Gorges à Shanghai ou au Guangdong – Géographie des déplacements contraints, Editions de la Sorbonne

• Edited volumes

Padovani F (ed), 2023, Shiyong zhuyi shehuixue: Zhongguo yu Faguo (la sociologie pragmatique : France-Chine), Académie des Sciences Sociales de Chine, Beijing.

Padovani F, Ho WC (ed), 2020, Living in the Margins in Mainland China, Hong Kong and India, Routledge, London.

Padovani F, Lysaniuk B (eds), 2019, Les gestions des transitions, L’Harmattan, Paris.

Padovani F (ed), 2016, Development-induced Migration in India and China: A Comparative Look at the Burdens of Growth, Lexington Books, New York.

Padovani F, Augustin-Jean L (eds), 2007, Hong Kong : Economie Société et Culture, L’Harmattan, Paris.

• Chapters in edited volumes

“The Transformation of Interpersonal Neighbour Relations at High Speed: The Changing Neighbourhood of Tianzifang in Downtown Shanghai”, in Lynda Cheshire (ed), 2022, Neighbours Around the World – An International Look at the People Next Door”, chapter 4, Emerald Publishing, p.55-71.

« When a marginal area is transformed into a touristic high spot: Tianzifang in Shanghai », in Padovani F et Ho WC (eds), 2020, Living in the Margins in Mainland China, Hong Kong and India, Routledge, London, p.70- 85

« Analysis of the Social Implications of the Three Gorges Dam Project », in Padovani F (ed), 2016, Development-induced Migration in India and China: A Comparative Look at the Burdens of Growth, Lexington Books, New York, p.169-190.

« Le barrage des trois-Gorges – Des déplacements de populations sous contrôle » in Beltran A, Laborie L, Lanthier P, Le Gallic S (eds), Electric Worlds/Mondes électriques – Créations, Circulations, Tensions, Transitions (19th – 21st C), Peter Lang, Bruxelles, 2016, p. 435- 454.

« Introduction, Why compare India and China? », in Padovani F (ed), 2016, Development- induced Migration in India and China: A Comparative Look at the Burdens of Growth, Lexington Books, New York, p.lvii-lxvii

« Les transformations sociales du lilong de Tianzifang, à Shanghai », in Franck M et Sanjuan T (eds), Territoires de l’urbain en Asie, une nouvelle modernité ?, CNRS éditions, Paris, 2015, p. 71-84.

Berger M, Houssay-Holzschuch M, Padovani F, « Les évolutions récentes de la division sociale de l’espace dans deux villes globales du Sud, Shanghai et Le Cap » in Chaléard J-L (ed), Dynamiques territoriales à la périphérie des métropoles des Suds, Karthala, Paris, 2014, p.63-80.

« Displacement from the Three Gorges Project and the Experiences of Resettles in Shanghai », Chapter 16, in Modi R (ed), Beyond Relocation: The Imperative of Sustainable Resettlement – An Agenda for restoring Livelihoods, Mitigating Poverty, Sage Publication, New Delhi, 2008, p.373-392.

« Hong Kong à travers le spectre de Pékin », chapitre 3, in Padovani F, Augustin-Jean L (eds), Hong Kong : Economie Société et Culture, L’Harmattan, Paris, 2007, p.75-94.

« Le gouvernement de Hong Kong pendant la période de stabilisation », Chapitre 1, in Padovani F, Augustin-Jean L (eds), Hong Kong : Economie Société et Culture, L’Harmattan, Paris, 2007, p.23-50.

« Introduction », in Padovani F, Augustin-Jean L (eds), Hong Kong : Economie Société et Culture, L’Harmattan, Paris, 2007, p.9-19.

« Involuntary Resettlement in the Three Gorges Area in the Perspective of Forced Migration Due to Hydraulic Planning in China », in Crépeau F and Nakache D (eds), Forced Migration and Global Processes – A View From Forced Migration Studies, Lexington Books, London, 2006, p.91-124.

« The Chinese way of Harnessing Rivers – The Three Gorges Dam as a Case Study », in, Tvedted T (ed), History of Water Control and River Biographies, Vol 1, I; B. Tauris, London, January 2006, p.120-143.

« Les Guanxi au cœur de la société chinoise » in Zheng Lihua, Desjeux D (eds), Chine- France approches interculturelles, L’Harmattan, Paris, 2000, p. 77-85.

• Book reviews

Book review for China Perspectives, SU, Junjie. 2023. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism in China: A Critical Approach. Bristol and Jackson: Channel View Publications, China Perspectives, 03/2024.

Book report for INDR Publications Review, Bryan Tilt, Dams and Development in China – The Moral Economy of Water and Power, New York, Columbia University Press, 260p., 2015.

Book report for China Information, Shapiro J Mao’s War Against Nature: Politics and the Environment in Revolutionary China, Vol XVI, N°2, 2003.

Book report for China Information, Daniel C. Lynch After the Propaganda State: Media, Politics and ‘Thought Work’ in Reformed China, Vol XV, N°1, 2001.

• Articles in peer-reviewed journals

Co-editor of a special issue China Perspectives, “Intangible Cultural Heritage: transformation at high speed”, N°1, 2023.

“Varying Discourse and Use of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Shaanxi Huaxian Shadow Puppets”, China Perspectives N°132, 2023, p.39-48.

Co-editor of a special issue China Perspectives, “Cultural Values in the Making: Governing through Intangible Heritage”, N°3, 2021.

« Tianzifang: A Romanticised Image of Old Shanghai », Urbanities, N°1, May 2019, p. 3- 20.
Padovani F, Zhao Yeqing, « “Expulsion des habitats délabrés (penghuqu) et reconstruction de la vie des nouveaux migrants à Shanghai. Enquête sur le quartier de Yuan He Nong », Espace Politique, N° 22, décembre 2013

« Premières impressions sur l’Exposition universelle de Shanghai », EchoGéo, 2010, http://echogeo.revues.org/12139

« Les déplacés des Trois Gorges – Une arrivée discrète dans la capitale économique chinoise », Perspectives chinoises 95 | Mai-juin 2006, http://perspectiveschinoises.revues.org/978

« La question des migrations en Chine – Un défi à la stabilité sociale ? », Asie. Edition 2005-2006, Etudes de la Documentation Française, Novembre 2005, p.21-43

« Les effets sociopolitiques des migrations forcées en Chine liées aux grands travaux hydrauliques-L’exemple du barrage des Trois Gorges », Les Etudes du CERI, Presses de Sciences Politiques, Numéro 103 – Avril 2004.

« Migrations forcées et grands travaux hydrauliques en Chine : le cas du barrage des trois gorges», Geocarrefour, Vol 79, 1/2004, p.27-34

« Displacement with Chinese Characteristics: The Case of the Three Gorges Dam », Provincial China, Vol 8, N°2, October 2003. http://www.anthrojournal-urbanities.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/May- 2019.pdf

• Articles in journals without reading committee

Co-author, « La démocratie à l’épreuve de l’épidémie », Esprit, 2020, 10 : 81-106.

« The Three Gorges Dam », Encyclopedia of Sustainability, China, India and East and Southeast Asia: Assessing sustainability, Ray Anderson (dir), Berkshire Publishing, Vol 7, 2012

« Tianzifang : une redéfinition de l’image de Shanghai », 4ème congrès du Réseau Asie et Pacifique – (14- 16/12/2011) – publié en ligne http://www.reseau- asie.com/userfiles/file/F05_padovani_tianzifang_shanghai.pdf

Padovani F, Finnane A, « Peasantry since 1900 », Encyclopedia of Modern China, Pong D (ed), Charles Scribner’s Sons publisher, Detroit, 2009, Vol 3, p. 78-81.

« Les déplacés des Trois Gorges » – publication en ligne (www.reseau-asie.com) – 1 mars 2008.

« Resettlement in the Three Gorges Area » in Shi Guoqing, Proceedings of International symposium on Resettlement and Social Development, Hohaidaxue chubanshe, Nanjing,2003.

« Analysis of the risk of involuntary resettlement in the area of the Three Gorges» (in Chinese), Hohaidaxue xuebao (Journal of Hohai University), 2002, Vol 4, N2.

« Building a socialist spiritual civilization » China News Analysis, n° 1572, November 1996.

• Reviewer

Urban geography

China Perspectives / Perspectives Chinoises

• Editorial Committee

China Perspectives