Ortensia Forni is a doctoral student at LadHyX* with Michael Benzaquen**, head of the EconophysiX Lab***, and Alexandre Darmon, CEO of Art in Research****. An applied mathematician by training, she is interested in human perception of colors and their harmony. Her research explores what makes certain color combinations more harmonious than others and how our preferences may be influenced by nature.
Nearly forty teaching and research positions are open for recruitment at École Polytechnique for the 2026 campaign. Ten disciplines are involved, including physics, applied mathematics, and computer science. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic ecosystem comprising 23 research laboratories and cutting-edge technologies alongside experts from other leading organisations, such as the CNRS, INRIA and INSERM.
From middle school to higher education, a variety of support measures can be implemented to encourage and assist women in achieving success in science. On Monday, 26 January, Juliette Toumelin (Head of the Equal Opportunities Division within the Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Responsibility Department) and Antigoni Alexandrou (CNRS Research Director at LOB) discussed the mentoring programmes available at École Polytechnique and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris.
Arthur Mensch (X2011), co-founder and CEO of Mistral, the French AI gem, came to meet École Polytechnique students for a talk on entrepreneurship and the implications of AI, two topics which he addressed by echoing his School's motto: “For the Nation, for Sciences, and for Glory.”
Bertrand Bessagnet, a CNRS Research Director affiliated with École Polytechnique, conducted the first study on air quality modeling at such resolution over Bhutan. Using the cutting-edge CHIMERE model, the research study was conducted in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and the Jigme Singye Wangchuck Law University in Bhutan. The findings of the research study have now been published.
École Polytechnique was involved in the Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change through its observer status as an independent non-governmental research organization. This involvement, which took the form of sending a representative, Joan Delort Ylla, a research engineer at the Laboratory of Dynamic Meteorology (LMD), and organizing events on campus, is part of the School's commitment to ecological transition as outlined in its Climate Plan.
As part of their advanced studies, third-year Cycle Ingénieur Polytechnicien students can opt for experimental mechanics courses. Nine sessions allow them to develop a scientific project at the cutting edge of theory and practice. Twenty projects are currently underway, several of which focus on environmental issues.
On December 1, 2025, École Polytechnique welcomed a ministerial delegation from the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire for discussions focusing on strengthening academic and scientific collaborations between École Polytechnique and the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute. During their visit, the Ivorian representatives also met with several Ivorian students who are currently studying at École Polytechnique.
The Financial Risk Chair, hosted by the Risk Foundation, led by Nicole El Karoui, professor emeritus at Sorbonne University, alongside Huyên Pham, professor at École Polytechnique, and supported by Société Générale, École des Ponts, École Polytechnique and its Foundation, and Sorbonne University, offers an excellent teaching program combining mathematics and finance. It provides students with unique opportunities to meet key players in the financial markets and discuss the place and role of quantitative profiles.
As part of the Alliance program with Columbia University, Solène Léger and Lucie Chicaud - students in the Ingénieur Polytechnicien program – completed a five-month research internship at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center. They worked in the Pediatric Heart Valve laboratory, dedicated to developing innovative treatments for congenital heart diseases requiring artificial valve implants.
Organized by École Polytechnique student association dedicated to ecology, this Ecology and Living Together Week (SEVE) took place from November 17 to 21. It is part of the School's sustainability strategy, as formalized in its Climate Plan.
École Polytechnique and Docaposte, through its subsidiary Index Education, publisher of PRONOTE, are launching “OrienteXpress,” a research project aimed at improving guidance for young people toward scientific fields. This project is part of École Polytechnique's ongoing policy of promoting diversity and inclusion.
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