5th Edition of the Study Days of the Montpellier Discrimination Observatory

Organized by the City of Montpellier and Paul Valéry University - Montpellier 3 (LEIRIS laboratory), these study days will take place on Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at the Saint-Charles 2 site.

This 5th edition is dedicated to presenting the study conducted in 2026 on poverty-related discrimination. The event brings together scientific, institutional, and field perspectives to understand how people in precarious situations face differentiated treatment in accessing rights, employment, and food, and to identify measures to strengthen their agency.

Program:

Monday, November 16, 2026

• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Official opening by representatives of the City, the University, and DDETS34.

• 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Inaugural conferences – Feedback on experiences and institutional insights on the link between poverty and discrimination, featuring Claire Hédon, former Defender of Rights.

• 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Buffet break

• 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Scientific conferences – Presentation of the Observatory's work (Matthijs Gardenier and Roman Vareilles) and cross-examinations on the survival of rural youth and discrimination at social aid counters.

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

• 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Opening of the second day by elected officials and partners.

• 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Scientific conferences – Presentations on social intervention, housing, neoliberal policies, and the transformation of professional stances in the face of discrimination.

• 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Buffet break

• 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Participatory workshops and social mapping – Collective reflections from action-research (Zero Unemployed Territory, participatory art, food banks, non-access) followed by a plenary restitution.

Practical Information
• Location: Saint-Charles 2 site, Auditorium and Winter Garden
• Access: Tram L1 - Albert 1er Station

Download the program (.pdf)
Learn more about the Discrimination Observatory

Discussion with sociologist Nicolas Duvoux

Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 7:15 PM at La Cavale bookstore
24, rue de la Cavalerie, Montpellier

Meeting with sociologist Nicolas Duvoux about his book Des vies volées. Restituer le pouvoir (PUF, 2026).

Find all practical information and plan your visit.