Renewals and Dispersion of Maghreb Studies in France since the 1960s: Historical and Sociological Lessons Drawing from a Survey

This article examines the development of Maghreb studies in France since the 1960s, drawingon the findings of the White Paper on Maghreb Studies (2023). Despite inheriting fragmented co-lonial knowledge, these studies remain on the periphery of French academic institutions, eventhough they now encompass an active community of over 400 researchers. The survey revealsa paradox: the discipline’s dynamism – evident in the renewal of history, sociology, anthro-pology, and political science after the 2000s and the 2011 uprisings – stands in stark contrastto enduring structural weaknesses, such as inadequate proficiency in Arabic and Berber, poorintegration into university curricula, and limited partnerships with Maghreb universities. Whiledocumentary resources and specialized journals are valuable assets, academic cooperation re-mains fragile and asymmetrical. The article advocates for greater disciplinary and geographicalopenness, increased investment in language learning, and enhanced Franco-Maghreb coop-eration to better understand contemporary societies in the region.