Being a Local Elected Official Today: France–Quebec Perspectives on Political Working Conditions
Sep 2, 2026 — 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Centre on Governance at the University of Ottawa is pleased to invite you to a hybrid conference exploring the realities of political work at the municipal level in France and Quebec.
About The Event
Drawing on findings from the ELUSAN research project (Les élus et leur santé), Sébastien Segas (Université Rennes 2) will present key insights into the working conditions and health of elected officials in France. The presentation will examine the nature of political work, the relationship between health and political careers, and how these issues are addressed in public discourse.
The presentation will be followed by a comparative discussion with Yann Fournis (Université du Québec à Rimouski) and Anne Mevellec (University of Ottawa), who will reflect on similarities and differences between the French and Quebec contexts.
Date: September 2, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: FSS 4006 and online (hybrid event)
Sébastien Segas is a Senior Lecturer (Maître de conférences) at Université Rennes 2 and a member of the Arènes Research Laboratory (UMR 6051). His research focuses on political institutions, local governance, elected officials, and democratic practices. During this event, he will present findings from the ELUSAN research project examining the working conditions and health of local elected officials in France.
Yann Fournis is a Professor at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) and a member of the Centre de recherche sur le développement territorial (CRDT). His work examines territorial governance, regional development, public policy, and the dynamics shaping local and regional communities. He will contribute a Quebec perspective to the discussion.
Anne Mevellec is a Full Professor at the University of Ottawa and Co-Lead of the Urban and Territorial Governance research axis within the Centre on Governance. Her research focuses on local politics, municipal governance, public administration, and democratic institutions. She will moderate and contribute to the comparative discussion between the French and Quebec contexts.