Conferences 2025–2026

2025–2026

• May 29, 2026, Seminar: Digital social media, mental health and well-being

  

  Perspectives from the fields of information and communication sciences

  On 29 May 2026, the Mediterranean Institute of Information and Communication Sciences (IMSIC), Aix-Marseille University and the University of Toulon organised a one-day seminar at EJCAM focusing on the links between digital social media, mental health and well-being.

  This academic event brought together researchers from the fields of information and communication sciences to examine the effects of social media on individuals and communities.

  The event provided an opportunity to move beyond the discourse that often focuses solely on the harmful effects of digital platforms. The presentations highlighted the complexity of usage patterns and the need to adopt interdisciplinary approaches to understand the relationships between digital practices, mental health and social well-being.
   

  Among the highlights, Jocelyn Lachance (ITS Pierre-Bourdieu) offered a socio-anthropological analysis of young people’s use of social media, highlighting the tensions between the quest for reassurance, the pressure to achieve emotional autonomy, and the search for supportive spaces.

  Marie-Pierre Fourquet-Courbet (Aix-Marseille University - EJCAM) presented several studies showing how social media can also foster social bonds, emotional support, the construction of collective meaning and the development of a collective digital consciousness, particularly during significant events such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the death of public figures.

  Olivier Nannipieri (University of Toulon) presented the key findings of the ANSES report on the use of digital social media among adolescents. His presentation highlighted the need to distinguish between time spent on social media, actual usage patterns and the content viewed in order to accurately assess the risks and benefits associated with digital practices.

  Finally, Laure-Emeline Bernard (Aix-Marseille University) highlighted the central role of interpersonal interactions in the experience of online well-being, demonstrating that the effects of social media depend largely on the forms of social interaction that develop within them.

  This event confirmed the value of information and communication sciences in analysing the social, cultural and communicational dimensions of digital usage, whilst opening up new avenues of research into contemporary issues of mental health and well-being.
   

• May 18, 2026, Seminar: Journalism and the Environment

  

  At the Aix-Marseille School of Journalism and Communication, an event focused on the environment as a key issue for newsrooms and media companies—organized by Pauline Amiel and Erika Riberi—brought together researchers, journalists, and media professionals to address a common question: how can we address environmental issues in a way that matches the transformations they are already imposing on our societies?
  The discussions highlighted a convergence of views.
  For Jean-Marie Leforestier, director of La Presse Libre, journalist, and former editor-in-chief of Marsactu, the environment can no longer be considered a specialized section: “The ideal newsroom is perhaps one without an ‘environment’ department, because the subject permeates everything.”
  This shift is also observed by Jules Dilé-Toustou, a professor and researcher whose work on media coverage of the environment between 1994 and 2025 shows a gradual shift from disaster-focused reporting to a more systemic and in-depth approach to these issues.
   

  Through the work of the Media Observatory on Ecology (OME), Veronika Zagyi, a lecturer and researcher, points out that, despite some progress, environmental topics still account for only a small portion of media content, thereby highlighting the importance of training all journalists on these issues.
  The presentation by David Goldie, a lecturer and researcher, focusing on Fox News also demonstrated how climate change can become a source of ideological and emotional polarization, at the risk of obscuring the scientific debate behind cultural and political divisions.
  Finally, the discussions focused on the essential issue of editorial, economic, and governance transparency. Some media outlets, such as La Croix, choose to explain to their readers the structure of their resources and their financial balance. Others, such as Le Monde, highlight mechanisms designed to preserve editorial independence from shareholders.
  For Fabienne Marquet, founder of Équilibre Médias, a consulting firm specializing in corporate strategy with nearly forty years of experience in the media, the business model remains a fundamental element: a responsible media outlet relies on editorial standards, consistent governance, and a business model aligned with the values it upholds. Environmental challenges now affect all media organizations and also call into question their ability to adapt to changes and resource constraints.

• April 10, 2026, A Conversation with Constantin Sigov and Sergiy Kvit: Ukraine, War, and Intellectual Resistance

  

  On April 10, the EJCAM welcomed two leading figures in Ukrainian intellectual life as part of the Effets réels festival: the Franco-Ukrainian philosopher and publisher Constantin Sigov and Sergiy Kvit, president of the Mohyla Academy University in Kyiv and former Ukrainian Minister of Education.

  Speaking to students in the Master’s program in Journalism and International Issues, Eric Berton, President of Aix-Marseille University, opened the event by emphasizing the crucial role of journalists and the need to defend press freedom and academic freedom. He highlighted the “Safe Place for Science” initiative led by amU, designed to preserve scientific knowledge and guarantee the freedom to conduct research, even in times of crisis.

  The word “resistance” resonated throughout the discussions. 

   

  In his book *Musiques en résistance*, Constantin Sigov traces the careers of composers Arvo Pärt and Valentin Silvestrov, analyzing their relationship to power and creative freedom. For him, in the face of war, music and literature are not merely trivial refuges: they have real effects, and they remain immortal.

  Sergiy Kvit, for his part, embodies institutional resistance. Despite the bombs, Ukraine continues to educate its youth—in subways and shelters converted into classrooms, through hybrid learning models, and by continuing its university reforms. Education, he says, is a social project in its own right, and freedom of expression, a line that must never be abandoned. His work offers a valuable framework for understanding the links between information, power, and truth in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

  A valuable encounter that invites us to reflect on what it means to resist—through words, knowledge, and culture—in an era of profound global upheaval.

  The Effets Réels festival is organized by the Effets Réels Association, in partnership with, among others, the Italian Cultural Institute, the Académie d’Aix, and Aix-Marseille University.

• April 8, 2026, Meeting with Jean-Pierre Besnard, a pioneer of digital innovation at Ouest-France

  

  On April 8, we were pleased to welcome Jean-Pierre Besnard, a specialist in digital innovation at the Ouest-France group. As head of OFF7, the group’s internal accelerator, he is driving the digital transformation of one of France’s leading media groups by connecting Ouest-France with tech startups. To date, more than 50 startups have received support on issues related to media, data, and artificial intelligence.

  Throughout his presentation, Jean-Pierre Besnard highlighted several concrete projects being explored by the group: dual-camera video capture via smartphone, the use of AI for editorial prompts, and the delivery of news via connected contact lenses.

  His presentation also highlighted three key concepts that are reshaping the media landscape. First, “liquid information”—content without a fixed format that can adapt to any medium and use—as opposed to the “solid” information found in print newspapers or traditional television reports. 

   

  Next, digital watermarking: a tool for authenticating content in the face of rising misinformation. Finally, the agentic era—that pivotal moment when AI agents could collect, reformat, personalize, and disseminate information in a nearly autonomous manner—raising fundamental questions for the future of journalism.

  A rich and thought-provoking presentation that invites us to thoroughly rethink the models of information production and distribution.

• March 13, 2026, Lecture: Beyond Borders with Julien Rocheblave

  

  On Friday the 13th, EJCAM welcomed communications specialist, photographer, and content creator Julien Rocheblave for a talk recounting his unique international career path.

  Initially pursuing a degree in law, Julien discovered the world of communications agencies and made a decisive career shift: After earning a degree in communications, advertising, and digital marketing, he honed his photographic eye during a formative year in San Francisco before joining Havas Play for three and a half years. There, he held successive roles as Digital & Social Media Manager, Digital Project Manager, and then Social Creative, working for clients such as Orange, Paris 2024, and OPPO, and established himself as an in-house TikTok expert. In 2024, he joined Sleeq, a Paris-based creative agency, as Senior Project Manager.

  At the same time, he has served as a Fujifilm Europe brand ambassador since May 2023, participating in national and international photography campaigns. Since late 2024, he has been working as a freelance photographer, videographer, and social media consultant, combining art direction, visual storytelling, and content strategy. In 2026, he embarked on an ambitious new project: 36 Clics du Mont Fuji, a documentary and photo book.
  An inspiring journey at the intersection of digital communication, visual creativity, and imagery.

   

   

  At the same time, he has served as a brand ambassador for Fujifilm Europe since May 2023, participating in national and international photography campaigns. Since late 2024, he has been working as a freelance photographer, videographer, and social media consultant, combining artistic direction, visual storytelling, and content strategy. In 2026, he embarked on an ambitious new project: 36 Clicks of Mount Fuji, a documentary and photo book.
  An inspiring journey at the intersection of digital communication, visual creativity, and imagery.

   

• February 5, 2026, Meeting with Oksana Leuta, location manager for France 24, Arte, and BFM TV

  

  From the theater stage to the battlefield: a conversation with Oksana Leuta, a field producer for France 24, Arte, and BFM TV.

  On Thursday, February 5, EJCAM Aix-Marseille welcomed a speaker unlike any other. Oksana Leuta is not a trained journalist. She was an actress. But when war broke out in Ukraine, she left everything behind to return to Kyiv.
  A polyglot (Ukrainian, Russian, French, English), she became an indispensable liaison for major international newsrooms: granting access to hospitals, coordinating on the ground, providing simultaneous translation, and managing local contacts. 
  A role known as a fixer—and one rarely mentioned in the credits.

  What she shared with the students went far beyond technical skills. She discussed the ethical dilemmas of the field: that day when a journalist was determined to film an area she considered too risky. Caught between editorial pressure and the reality of danger, the fixer bears a heavy responsibility.
  She also spoke about life going on, despite everything—adopting a cat in the midst of war, finding small, ordinary acts to help get by. And about the hope that this conflict will come to an end. 

   

  The students were able to talk freely with her. They asked questions about the profession, its limitations, and the impact of war on those who cover it up close.

  This event was organized in partnership with the We Are Ukraine association (Aix-en-Provence).

• January 29, 2026, Biodiversity Lab with Reporters d'Espoirs

  

  As part of its partnership with Reporters d'Espoirs, EJCAM is hosting an afternoon training session focused on science and environmental issues. This is a unique opportunity for aspiring journalists to build their skills on topics at the heart of current events.

  Part One — Scientific Insight

  Pierre-Henri Villard, associate professor at Aix-Marseille University and toxicologist at the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Marine and Continental Ecology (IMBE), will introduce the key concepts essential for addressing these topics with rigor:

  • Biodiversity: definitions and challenges
  • The "One Health" concept: the links between human, animal, and environmental health
  • Focus on endocrine disruptors

  Part Two — Professional Expertise

  • Cyrille Frank, consultant, trainer, and editorial director at Groupe Influencia, will lead a discussion and reflection session on journalistic practice:

   

  • Real-world case studies
  • Group discussion
  • How to address these topics in the journalism of tomorrow

  A must-attend event for anyone who wants to cover environmental and scientific topics with expertise and insight.

   

• January 23, 2026, Meeting with Pierre Petillaut, Executive Director of the Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale (Apig)

  

  The EJCAM is pleased to welcome Pierre Petillaut on January 23 for a lecture on business models in the press and the challenges facing the sector in the age of artificial intelligence.
  Since 2020, Pierre Petillaut has served as CEO of the Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale, which represents more than 300 member publications. With over 12 years of experience at Orange, he notably served as Deputy Director of Public Affairs (2015–2020), where he represented the group’s interests on digital and telecommunications issues, and as Chief of Staff to the Deputy CEO (2011–2015), coordinating divisions with over 3,100 employees. Between 2007 and 2011, he also served as Head of Regulation and Institutional Relations for Orange’s Content Division. Previously, Pierre Petillaut worked at the French Audiovisual Council (2005–2007) as a policy officer for economics and competition.

  Conference agenda
  Pierre Petillaut will present to students the business model of the general-interest press: revenue sources (advertising, circulation), traffic sources, the role of public subsidies, and the diversity of publications.
  He will focus particularly on the major challenges facing the sector today:
  • Related rights and recent lawsuits against GAFAM
  • Complex relationships with artificial intelligence stakeholders
  • The integration of environmental issues into the sector
  • The issue of trust in the media and the rise of misinformation
  A unique opportunity to understand the current challenges facing the news media through the eyes of an industry expert.

   

• December 2, 2025, Conference: An Immersion in Police and Justice Journalism

  

  On December 2, students in the Master’s program in Journalism met with two key figures from the judicial and law enforcement communities:
  • Nicolas Bessone, Public Prosecutor of Marseille 
  • Jérôme Martin, Interdepartmental Director of the National Police in the Var 

  This radio session was entirely dedicated to the journalistic coverage of police and legal affairs: how institutions operate, specific codes and vocabulary, relations with the media, and the challenges of covering judicial and police news.
  Christelle Marques, a journalist and instructor at EJCAM, also led a hands-on workshop on writing police and justice stories, enriched with concrete examples and exercises.

   

  An immersive training program to master the intricacies of crime and legal journalism.
   

• November 27, 2025, Conference: Is History Useful for Studying Digital Media Today?

  

  As part of its series of international meetings, EJCAM welcomed Professor Gabriele Balbi, Full Professor of Media Studies at the Institute of Media and Journalism (IMeG), Faculty of Communication, Culture, and Society, USI – Università della Svizzera italiana (Switzerland).

  The lecture was titled: Is History Useful for Studying Digital Media Today?

  Professor Balbi presented a historical analysis of the evolution of digital media and demonstrated how this perspective provides a better understanding of the current challenges facing media environments.

   

   

  He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Turin (2002, 2004), as well as a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and the Social History of Communication (USI, 2008), Gabriele Balbi is an internationally recognized authority in the field of media. He has served as a lecturer or visiting professor at numerous prestigious universities, including Harvard, Maastricht, Columbia, Westminster, Oxford, Northumbria, Perugia, Augsburg, Concordia, and Bologna.

• November 20, 2025, Lecture: Does Trump’s America Hate the Media and Journalists?

  

  Author of *This America That Hates Us ” (Nevicata, 2025), just published on the first anniversary of Donald Trump’s second election, Richard Werly has experienced firsthand, through his reporting in the United States, the MAGA camp’s hatred for the media, the news, and journalists. Is this hatred real? Where are the pockets of media resistance? What does the MAGA media landscape look like?

  And, above all, does what is happening in the United States foreshadow a media storm in Europe?

  Richard Werly is an international columnist for the Swiss media outlet Blick, based in Paris. He covers French and European news for Switzerland’s leading daily newspaper. 

   

  He is the author of several books. His three most recent works are: *La France contre elle-même* (Grasset); *Le bal des Illusions - Ce que la France croit, ce que le monde voit " (Grasset - co-written with François d'Alançon) and "Cette Amérique qui nous déteste" (Nevicata). He has previously been based in Bangkok, Tokyo, Brussels, and Geneva.

  Richard is a regular guest on LCI, France 24, France Info TV, LCP, Public Sénat, BFM, and RTL.
  He produces the weekly Republick newsletter and the Helvetix Café podcast.

• October 16, 2025, "Working in Media" Conference with Emeline Nsingi Nkosi

  

  As part of the International Master’s program, under the academic supervision of David Goldie, we welcomed Emeline Nsingi Nkosi, a BBC presenter and producer, for a lecture titled “Working in Media.”
  In front of our students, she shared her rich and international career journey, spanning both English- and French-language media.

  A journey across three continents

  Of Franco-Congolese origin, Emeline grew up in the United Kingdom before settling in West Africa in 2016. A presenter, producer, and freelance actress, she is best known for her reports on the BBC World Service and her hosting of the BBC Travel Show. Before joining the BBC, she worked as a graphic designer, then as a host and producer at GHOne TV in Ghana, where she created and hosted two seasons of the show The Core. 

   

  In film, she has appeared in several French- and English-language productions and was named Best Supporting Actress at the Ghana Movie Awards. Now dividing her time between Senegal and the United Kingdom, she works with media outlets such as BBC Sports Afrique, CNBC, and the CANAL+ Group.

  A "Public Speaking" Workshop

  Prior to the conference, Emeline also led a workshop on public speaking, providing students in the International Master’s program with practical tools to express themselves with ease and confidence in front of an audience.