In 2022, we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Savoirs Actuels collection. Revisiting the titles of this collection means going back over the major themes that have marked the recent history of scientific research, but also paying tribute to the researchers, who have become authors, and who have thus contributed to the dissemination of their knowledge.

Since it was launched, the collection has been directed by Michèle Leduc. The Savoirs Actuels collection is co-published with CNRS Éditions and includes more than 70 titles aimed at students, teachers and researchers.

The books reflect current advances in research, as well as the teaching provided as part of research training; they cover various disciplines, in particular physics, but also chemistry, mathematics and astronomy. Some titles have been translated into English and are available in the Current Natural Sciences collection.

“…this collection has been promoting the thought and research of eminent French scientists. It offers texts in French, where English used to dominate in most books of this level. Moreover, some of these books have gained an international audience thanks to their translation into several languages. Happy birthday to Les Savoirs toujours actuels!” Pierre Léna, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Paris VII, Denis-Diderot.

Read the full press release in French.

Browse the Savoirs Actuelscollection.

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Pierre Léna, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Paris VII, Denis-Diderot, has agreed to be the patron of this anniversary. He comments:

"In 1984, the venerable State thesis disappeared, as did the postgraduate thesis born in 1966: the 'new thesis' in 3 years (PhD) was born and the number of doctoral students increased. There is a lack of teaching tools for this flow of young researchers, particularly scientists, attracted by this framework, where many prestigious academics teach. The Savoirs actuels collection appeared: it would publish these courses in French. Its exceptional quality is developing and accompanying the growing use of the Internet.

At the Ministry of Education, I had worked on the reform of the doctorate and measured the quality issues involved. Having received a request from Michèle Leduc to publish my astrophysics course as the first volume in this series, which today has more than 70 volumes, I remember my enthusiasm!

Since then, this collection has been promoting the thought and research of eminent French scientists. It offers texts in French, where English used to dominate in most books of this level. Moreover, some of these books have gained an international audience thanks to their translation into several languages.

Happy birthday to Les Savoirs toujours actuels!"

From June until the end of the year, the collection will be present at several events. Communications on social networks, retracing the major stages of the collection's development, will accompany the campaign.

We also hope to bring our authors together at a convivial event at the end of September.

And of course, new titles are expected!

‘Théorie Statistique des Champs – Tome 2’ by François David will be available as from June, 16th, 2022.