BOIRON Félicien

PhD student in political science, focusing on the study of public transport policy-making, with a particular emphasis on understanding the role of expertise.

THESIS

Understanding the Development of Free Public Transport in France

Thesis Title: Free Public Transport: A New Public Policy Paradigm or Contingent Measures?

Thesis Supervisor: Philippe Zittoun

The thesis aims to understand the dynamics behind the development of completely free public transport in France, amidst significant opposition from experts. Despite growing opposition from various transport interest groups and experts, the policy has been expanding to cover increasingly larger areas (Aubagne in 2009, Dunkirk in 2018, and Montpellier in 2023).

The research seeks to comprehend the experts’ opposition to free public transport and its consequences on both the defense and implementation of the policy. The methodology involves a detailed study of the local trajectories of free public transport in various cities (Montpellier, Paris, and Lyon). This includes extensive press reviews and grey literature analyses, followed by interviews with key actors involved in public policy-making.

This approach complements existing research on the effectiveness of free public transport, particularly studies conducted at LAET.

SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

Presentation

2024 | Presentation of the role of scientific public policy knowledge and advice the trajectory of free public transport policy in Montpellier
International Workshop on Public Policy – International Public Policy Association, Guadalajara (Mexico)

2024 | Presentation of the public policy community on transport and the trajectory of free public transport policy in Montpellier
International Winter School on Public Policy – International Public Policy Association, Alps (France)

2024 | Presentation on the trajectory of fare-free public transport in France
PhD Student Presentation – Graduate School of Civil, Environmental and Urban Engineering, Lyon (France)

2023 | Presentation of the research project of the thesis
International Winter School on Public Policy – International Public Policy Association, Alps (France)

Publication

  • Boiron F, 2024, “Advocate against free public transport with public policy knowledge”, International Workshops on Public Policy 4th edition, Guadalajara, Mexico, 26th-28th June (Acts accessible online)

Engagement in Academic Community

2019 – 2022 et 2023 | Member of the board of direction
Graduate School of Civil, Environmental and Urban Engineering, Lyon (France)

2024 | Volunteer
International Workshop on Public Policy 4th edition in Guadalajara (Mexico), International Public Policy Association

2023 – 2024 | Co-organizer of the Seminar of PhD Student
Laboratory of Urban Planning, Economics, and Transportation, Lyon (France)

2023 | Volunteer
International Conference on Public Policy 6th edition in Toronto (Canada), International Public Policy Association

TEACHING

Teaching experience

2023-2024 | 2 x 27 h/year Teacher of the course “introduction to social sciences and political science” (3rd year of Bachelor’s degree)
Mentored students in dissecting complex scientific debates, focusing on critical examination of scientific arguments, identification and analysis of key actors involved, and understanding the chronological development of controversies.
Graduate School of Civil, Environmental and Urban Engineering, Lyon (France)

2024 | Master Thesis supervisor
Supervision of a student.
Laboratory of Urban Planning, Economics, and Transportation, Lyon (France)

2024 | 3 h Visiting Instructor in the Course: The Major Challenges of Ecological Transition (2nd year of Master’s degree)
Presentation of my research work, emphasizing the methods used. Proposals of exercises to establish an analysis method and simplified implementation.
Graduate School of Civil, Environmental and Urban Engineering, Lyon (France)

2023 | 2 x 9 h Teacher of the seminar “feedback from the internship” (1st year of Master’s degree)
Provided mentorship to students on conducting sociological analyses of internship structures, focusing on organizational dynamics, workplace culture, and the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical experiences.
Graduate School of Civil, Environmental and Urban Engineering, Lyon (France)

RESEARCH DIFFUSION

  • Video 1 | Totem Journal: Presentation of thesis reflections on free public transport.
  • Video 2 | Participation in various science dissemination and popularization events
  • 2023 | Challenges and concerns of free public transport in France
    Seminar of the Regional Audit Chamber, Lyon (France)

Discover

2 Videos

EDUCATION

  • 2022 – Present: LAET – Public Works Engineer conducting doctoral research.
  • 2020 – 2022: Sciences Po Grenoble – Diploma in Political Studies: Comparative Government Sciences, Administration, and Public Action.
  • 2019 – 2022: Graduate School of Civil, Environmental and Urban Engineering – Engineering Diploma, Transport, and Mobility.