Babel Initiative.

Babel Initiative is a student association officially recognized by Sciences Po Paris. It is based in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Campus in Menton, France. Run by first and second-year students, Babel aims to broaden understanding of the diverse cultures and countries of the Mediterranean and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Babel operates as a platform to support student research projects, including our newsletter and yearly research papers.

Each year, we focus on a selected country from the MENA region, offering students a unique opportunity to delve into their chosen topics of analysis and research. With the support of our sponsors and Sciences Po Paris, a carefully selected group of 15 student researchers embarks on a week-long trip to the designated country. This immersive experience allows them to gather critical data and insights to enhance their preliminary research, forming the foundation for their academic papers.

At the end of the year, Babel hosts the annual colloquium, where researchers present their findings to a distinguished panel of academics and fellow Sciences Po students. Their work is subsequently published in news outlets and academic institutions, as well as shared with the scholars and experts who have supported Babel’s research initiatives throughout the process.

Discover our previous projects

We're headed to Türkiye!

The Mediterranean, often hailed as the cradle of civilization, is a region rich in history, culture, society, and economics—many facets of which remain underexplored in academic circles. At Babel, we aim to bridge this gap. Every year, we select five teams of three researchers who dedicate six months to studying diverse topics related to a country in the Mediterranean and MENA region.

This year, Babel has embarked on a new adventure: Türkiye.

Türkiye's unique geographic and cultural position—straddling Europe and Asia—has shaped its role as a historical crossroads for trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. From the bustling streets of Istanbul, once the heart of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, to the diverse regional traditions spanning Anatolia, the country offers a wealth of perspectives for those studying the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Its status as a secular republic with deep historical ties to multiple civilizations makes Türkiye an ideal site for exploring the intersections of politics, culture, and history. We look forward to expanding the Babel Initiative's network into Türkiye and engaging in meaningful cultural exchange with the communities we meet.

As per our long-standing traditions, approximately sixty students from the Menton Campus of Sciences Po Paris will join this journey. This year, our delegation comprises 15 Board Members, 15 Researchers, and 30 Shadows, all dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and intellectual discovery.

Stay tuned for the countdown as we prepare for our annual adventure!

Babel operates with the invaluable support of our partners, whose contributions make our initiatives possible. We are currently working to secure funding for the 2026 research trip, ensuring that both our researchers and board members have the resources they need to participate fully. Your support helps us cover critical financial and organizational needs for this endeavor. For further information or to contribute, please hesitate to contact us at babelinitiative@gmail.com or through the details provided in the contact section. Thank you for supporting our mission.