Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has announced the appointment of Dr. Renaud Debailly as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. In this role, Dr. Debailly will lead the university’s academic strategy, support the continued development of its programmes and research activities, and contribute to advancing its institutional ambitions.
Dr. Renaud Debailly is a distinguished sociologist, academic leader and researcher with more than a decade of experience across teaching, research and higher education governance within the Sorbonne network. He has served as Associate Professor of Sociology at Sorbonne Université in Paris since 2011, most recently as Dean of the multidisciplinary Faculty Unit for Sociology and Computer Science for Humanities (2021-2025) and is a researcher at GEMASS.
Dr. Debailly shares a longstanding relationship with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, having first joined the institution as a Visiting Associate Professor in 2013. In January 2025, he returned to the university on academic delegation as Associate Professor within the Department of Sociology and Philosophy and researcher at the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi Institute for Innovation and Research (SAFIR). His extensive experience across both the Paris and Abu Dhabi campuses has given him a unique understanding of the Sorbonne ecosystem, its academic vision and its international ambitions.
Drawing on extensive experience in academia, research and university governance, Dr. Debailly brings a unique combination of institutional knowledge and international perspective that will support Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s continued academic development. A founding member of Sorbonne Université’s Research Ethics Committee, he has also served as an elected member of the French National Council of Universities (CNU) in Sociology and Demography.
Dr. Debailly holds a PhD in Sociology from Paris-Sorbonne University and has built an internationally recognised academic career spanning teaching, research and university leadership. His research applies the sociology of science and Science and Technology Studies (STS) to health and environmental issues and includes major projects in genomic medicine and healthcare innovation. He has authored more than 25 scholarly publications and played a leading role in several nationally funded research initiatives.
As Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Debailly will lead the university’s academic strategy, oversee the continued development of its programmes, strengthen research excellence, oversee quality assurance and promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the institution.
Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: “Dr. Renaud Debailly’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to academic excellence and research-led education. His internationally recognised research expertise, strong academic standing, and deep understanding of both Sorbonne Université and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi make him ideally placed to lead our academic community through its next chapter. We look forward to the impact his leadership will have on our students, faculty and research community.”
Dr. Renaud Debailly, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, commented on his new role: “It is a privilege to take on this role at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, where European academic heritage meets the UAE’s vision for a knowledge-driven future. Having been part of the SUAD community since 2013, I look forward to working with our faculty, researchers and students to build on the university’s strengths, enrich the student experience and further strengthen SUAD’s position as a leading international university for higher education, research and innovation.”
The appointment reflects Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s continued commitment to academic excellence, research and innovation, while reinforcing its role as a leading international university that serves as a bridge between French academic heritage and the UAE’s vision for a knowledge-driven future.
For more information, please visit: https://www.sorbonne.ae/
