Author Annie Ernaux denounces “anti-intellectualism” against the social sciences, by inaugurating a research center in Cergy-Pontoise in her name

“It cannot be said enough that the social and human sciences are a bulwark against ready-made opinions, political and commercial slogans,” the writer declared.

Annie Ernaux, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize for Literature, praised the key role of the human and social sciences on Thursday, September 26, by inaugurating a research center in Cergy-Pontoise bearing her name. The writer believes that the university is currently under attack by “an anti-intellectualism that does not say its name.”

“It cannot be said enough that the social and human sciences are a bulwark against ready-made opinions, political and commercial slogans”she said in a short speech. The Research House will bring together different laboratories (history, geography, urban planning, literature, languages, psychology and even archaeology).

“At a time when the university is the object of attacks and accusations of an anti-intellectualism that does not say its name, it is good to remember that the human sciences work for more freedom and knowledge”insisted the 84-year-old novelist, standing in front of the building.

She stressed that sociology had played a decisive role in her own writing, in particular The Heirs, by Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron, and The Capitalist School, by Christian Baudelot and Roger Establet: “Without these two books, perhaps I would never have had the courage to face the shame of having been ashamed of my origins and to write it.”she said.

Having found his “place” in Cergy-Pontoise, “new city” Founded in 1969 about thirty kilometers northwest of Paris, Annie Ernaux said she had formed a deep bond with this place, not unrelated to her “class defector story” : “The enigma of chance (…) led me almost 50 years ago to Cergy-Pontoise” Who “was not yet a city, or at least imaginary”, and whose inhabitants “almost all came from elsewhere”.

“I realize my privilege of having witnessed the birth and construction of a great city”she added, and the creation in 1991 of the university, which now has nearly 30,000 students, according to the city hall.

“We are all happy”launched the president of Cergy Paris University, Laurent Gatineau, during the inauguration of the building, “at a time when the university is threatened by drastic state budget cuts.” He argued that Annie Ernaux’s reputation could increase the attractiveness of this House which wants “welcome many international researchers.”