The Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Montréal (CIRM) is interested in research on Montréal and urban life.
ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ
Researchers, public and private sector actors, and community workers are invited to discuss a recent publication (monograph, collective work, article, report, etc.) about Montreal or an urban theme relevant to the Montreal community. Each participant is invited to comment on the work based on his or her field of expertise or practice, while the author describes the genesis and purpose of the publication. Organized by CIRM, these short lectures are presented in English or French, open to all, and offered five or six times a year depending on the current program.
Past events
Multidisciplinary discussion: Looking at municipal elections in Montréal through the lens of linguistic diversity
March 22, 2023 (In-person and webinar event)
Bilingual discussion on March 22 on the book Voting in Québec Municipal Elections: A tale of two cities, co-directed by Éric Bélanger (CIRM / ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ). An event organized in association with the (CSCD) and ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ’s Quebec Studies Program (QSP). With , author and Professor of Political Behaviour at Western University, and other distinguished speakers and guest speakers.
"Une tour sur la montagne": Montréal Between the Wars Through the Eyes of Ernest Cormier
February 16, 2023 (Virtual event)
An evening of screening and discussion of the documentary film A Tower on the Mountain: the Architecture of Ernest Cormier and his life with Clorinthe Perron (in French with English subtitles), in the company of its Director Paul Carvalho, architectural historian Aliki Economides (CIRM / McEwen School of Architecture, Laurentian University), and guests Magda Fahrni (CIRM / UQAM) and Roderick MacLeod. This event moderated by Peter Sealy (University of Toronto) was part of the McEwen School of Architecture's "MSoA Winter 2023 Cultural Events" series.Ìý
Montréal dans les bulles
October 28-30, 2021 (Virtual event)
How do young francophone comic artists in Quebec represent the city of Montreal and how do they stage spoken Montreal French in their works?ÌýThisÌýisÌýthe questionÌýposedÌýby ´¡²Ô²Ô²¹Ìý³Ò¾±²¹³Ü´Ú°ù±ð³ÙÌý(UniversityÌýofÌýGenoaÌý/ÌýCIRM) inÌýherÌýrecentÌýpublication "Montréal dans les bulles : représentations de l'espace urbain et du français parlé montréalais dans la bande dessinée."ÌýThis CIRM seminar presents the book and explores its themes with specialists in Quebec French, media culture, and language (in)security.
Politics and Funding of Artificial Intelligence in Canada
March 18, 2021 (Virtual event)
Launch of Ana Brandusescu's (McConnell Professor of Practice at CIRM) report, "Artificial Intelligence Policy and Funding in Canada: Public investments, private interests", takes a close look at Canada's AI ecosystem and its funding networks. Guest speakers include Bianca Wylie (moderator), Yuan Stevens, Nabeel Shakeel Ahmed, Jess Reia (CIRM 2020-2021 BMO Fellow) and Valentine Goddard.
Race, Crime, and Gentrification: Neighborhood Life in Chicago versus Montreal Realities
December 9, 2020 (Virtual event)
This seminar addressed the complex interplay between anti-crime initiatives, gentrification, and social justice activism from a Chicago-Montreal comparative perspective. FeaturingÌýPhilip S. S. Howard,ÌýJan Doering,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý, andÌý.
From the Intelligent to the Intelligible City
October 29, 2020 - 12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. (Virtual event)
This bilingual seminar brought together a panel of experts in urban studies, innovation, and data governance to provoke in-depth reflection on the deployment of new technologies in cities in relation to the resolution of contemporary crises. FeaturingÌýHoi Kong,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,ÌýAna Brandusescu.
Meteorology and Climate Change in the St. Lawrence Valley: Past and Current Observations
September 24, 2020, 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Virtual event)
This virtual seminar exploredÌýquestions of climatic history and meteorological data conservation, in light of the citizen science projectÌýDRAW (Data Rescues: Archives & Weather)Ìýand the book "Climate in the Age of Empire: Recording, Analyzing, and Rescuing Three Centuries of Saint-Laurence Valley Weather Data", (Chicago UP), written byÌýVictoria C. SlonoskyÌý(ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ U. /ÌýDRAW Project).
Qui sommes-nous pour être découragées?
February 25, 2020, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (CIRM, 680 Sherbrooke Street West, 8th floor)
Discussion on the social and political value of activism, based on the book "Qui sommes-nous pour être découragées?" (Who are we to be discouraged?) co-authored by Lorraine Guay and Pascale Dufour. The panel, composed ofÌýSociology - ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ U.),ÌýÌý(),Ìý(SSMU) andÌý(Peter-ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Neighbourhood Table), was moderated byÌýJonathan Durand-FolcoÌý(CIRM/ Saint-Paul U.).
Legendary Nights in Montreal
November 18, 2019, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Librarie Z, 3420 Ontario Street)
Seminar on the Montreal nights of the 50's, around the comic book "", written by Claude Paiement and drawn by Jean-Paul Eid. Five panelists including Jean-Dominic Leduc (columnist), Lysandre Champagne (BMO doctoral fellow), Catherine Charlebois (Centre d'histoire de Montréal), Mathieu Lapointe (curator), Vanessa Tremblay (musicologist) shared their interpretation of the work.
Encounters on Contested Lands
November 18, 2019, 1:30-3 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Seminar on the book "" organized in conjunction with the Indigenous Studies Program at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ. AuthorÌýJulie Burelle, along withÌýMary Anne Poutanen,Ìý,Ìý, andÌýdiscussed the artistic self-representation of Aboriginal and First Nations peoples in Quebec.
L'innovation municipale : sortir des sentiers battus
October 11, 2019, 1:30-3 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Collective reflection on innovation in the municipal world in the light of the book "", and in the company of the authors, urban plannersÌýRichard ShearmurÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý. A panel of experts includingÌý,Ìý,Ìý, andÌýjoined the discussion to question innovative practices in cities from different perspectives.
Récits du coeur. Carnets de migration à Montréal
April 3, 2019, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Seminar on the theme "Understanding Migration", in connection with the collective book "". The discussion, moderated byÌýFrédéric DejeanÌý(co-axis director, CIRM), brought together co-authors Maysoun Faouri and Yara El-Ghadban, as well as two commentators, Audrey Mailloux-Moquin (Territorial Partnership Advisor, BINAM) and Marie-Christine Jeanty (member, Intercultural Council of Montreal).
Enjeux de la recherche collaborative
March 29, 2019, 2:00-3:30 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
A discussion on "Issues in Collaborative Research" moderated byÌýKevin ManaughÌý(CIRM Axis Director) and Hoi Kong (CIRM Axis Director) on the bookÌý, with co-authorÌý(University of Ottawa) and a panel of experts: Isabelle Heck (Parole d'excluEs), Bochra Manaï (Parole d'excluEs), Jaimie Cudmore (BMO Doctoral Fellow, CIRM), Louise Lafortune (UQTR), Denis Bussières (CRISES), Jean-Marc Fontan (UQAM) and Eve-Marie Lampron (UQAM).
Greenovation. Urban Leadership on Climate Change.
November 15, 2018, 2:30-4 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Meeting withÌý, author ofÌýand Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University. The publication was commented on by several speakers: Tania Gonzalez (), Danielle Lussier (Director of the Bureau du développement durable, Ville de Montréal),ÌýÌý(City Councillor, Jeanne-Mance District) andÌýÌý(Advisor to the Public Affairs Branch,Ìý).
La fin de l'hospitalité. Lampedusa, Lesbos, Calais...jusqu'où irons-nous?
October 26, 2018, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Lunchtime seminar on the bookÌýÌýÌý in the company of its co-author, the philosopherÌý. The meeting, moderated byÌýFrédéric DejeanÌý(Département de sciences des religions de l'UQAM / CIRM), brought together several experts from the Montreal community: Jill HanleyÌý(School of Social Work, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ), Aude Mary () and Lida Aghasi ().
La ville résiliente. Comment la construire?
May 24, 2018, 12:00-13:30 (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
(Université de Montréal),ÌýÌý (Presses de l'Université de Montréal, 2017).Ìýled byÌýJuan TorresÌý(Faculty of Planning, Université de Montréal / Axis Director, CIRM), with three panelists:ÌýÌý(Public Policy Analyst, Suzuki Foundation),ÌýÌý(Department of History, Université de Montréal) and Claire Néron-Dejean (Project Director - Strategic Planning,Ìý).
Can the flâneur be imperfect?
April 26, 2018, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Lunchtime seminar byÌýSimon Yiu-Tsan NgÌý(researcher in residence at CIRM): "Can the flâneur be imperfect? Reinterpreting the flâneur to better understand the inevitable disappointment in everyday life". Mr. Yiu-Tsan Ng presented elements of his manuscript "Ìý", based on his doctoral thesis, referring to the city of Montreal and Robert Majzel's novelÌý.ÌýThe presentation, moderated byÌýAliki Economides, was commented by four panelists: André Carpentier (short story writer and novelist),ÌýÌý(Associate Professor in the Department of English, Concordia University),ÌýCatherine LeclercÌý(Professor in the Department of French Language and Literature, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ) andÌýSandeep BanerjeeÌý(Professor in the Department of English, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ).
À nous la ville! Traité de municipalisme
March 29, 2018, 2:30-4:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Jonathan Durand FolcoÌý(Saint Paul University),ÌýÌý(Écosociété, 2017). Midday discussion moderated by Hoi Kong and Daniel Weinstock (Faculty of Law, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ), with four panellists:Ìý(Professor, Department of Political Science, UQAM),Ìý(Director of theÌý, Concordia University),ÌýÌý(columnist for theÌýMontreal Gazette) and Halah Al-Ubaidi (Executive Director of theÌý).
Rhapsodie québécoise. Itinéraire d'un enfant de la loi 101
March 15, 2018, 12:00-13:15 (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
,ÌýÌý(Boréal, 2016). Discussion with the author about his story as part of theÌýFrancofête 2018Ìýprogramming.
De l'utilisation de mégadonnées et des données ouvertes en contexte de gouvernance métropolitaine. Quelles pratiques mettre en oeuvre?
February 20, 2018, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (CEIM, 20 Queen Street, Montreal, 3rd floor)
Roundtable chaired by Jayne Engle (Director,Ìý, McConnell Foundation and Associate Professor, School of Urban Planning, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ), with interventions byÌýGorka EspiauÌý(McConnell Foundation Practitioner Professor at CIRM), Stéphan Guidoin (Director, Montreal,Ìý),ÌýÌý(Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ),ÌýÌý(Director General,Ìý),Ìý(Ph.D. student, School of Computer Science, Reasoning and Learning Laboratory, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ),ÌýGeneviève BoisjolyÌý(Ph.D. student, School of Urban Planning, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ) andÌý(Dean of the UFR Droit-sciences économique et politique, Dijon).
Speaking Memory. How Translation Shapes City Life
January 19, 2018, 12h30-14h00 (CIRM, 3438, rue McTavish, salle 100)
Sherry SimonÌý(French Studies, Concordia University),Ìý(ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ-Queen's University Press, 2016). Midday discussion with the book's director, moderated byÌýGillian Lane-MercierÌý(DLLF, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ). The book is commented by Marie Lambert-Chan (Editor-in-Chief,Ìý),ÌýCatherine LeclercÌý(DLLF, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ),ÌýÌý(, Université de Sherbrooke),ÌýRobert SchwartzwaldÌý(English Studies, Université de Montréal) andÌýSimon Yiu-Tsan NgÌý(resident researcher at CIRM).
Collaborating with the Enemy, How to Work with People You Don't Agree with of Like or Trust
December 7, 2017, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Impact Hub Montreal, 550 Richmond Street, Salon 1861)
Adam Kahane,Ìý(Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2017). Discussion moderated by Daniel Weinstock (Faculty of Law andÌýInstitute for Health and Social PolicyÌý[IHSP], ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ), with interventions by Geneviève Baril (Executive Director of theÌý), Luc Doray (Secretary General of theÌý), Christine Grou (President of theÌý), Jackson Joseph (co-founder of theÌý), Aurélie Lanctôt (essayist and columnist for Le Devoir), Matthew Pearce (President and CEO of theÌý), and Vanessa Sykes (Director ofÌý).
Histoire du Mile End
November 2, 2017, 1:00-2:30 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Yves Desjardins,ÌýÌýÌý(Septentrion, 2017). Midday discussion moderated byÌýFrédéric DejeanÌý(UQAM) andÌýAnnick GermainÌý(INRS), co-director of CIRM's "Immigration, living conditions and religion" research axis, withÌýGabrielle DésiletsÌý(INRS),ÌýÌý(INRS),ÌýÌý(Concordia University), and Claudine Schirardin, co-founder of theÌý.
Second Generations on the Move in Italy. Children of Immigrants Coming of Age
October 30, 2017, 12:30-14:00 (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
, sociologist and professor at the Department of Culture, Politics and Society of the University of Turin,ÌýÌý(Rowman & Littlefield, 2014). Midday discussion moderated byÌýFrédéric DejeanÌý(Département de science des religions, UQAM), with comments byÌýCheldy BelkhodjaÌý(, Concordia University) andÌýGabrielle DésiletsÌý(INRS).
Les communautés d'innovation. De la liberté créatrice à l'innovation
October 13, 2017, 12h30-14h00 (CIRM, 3438, rue McTavish, salle 100)
Laurent Simon (HEC, co-director of the book), Patrick Cohendet and Benoit Sarazin,ÌýÌý(Presses de l'Université du Québec, 2017).
Midday discussion moderated byÌýRichard ShearmurÌý(School of Urban Planning, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ) and commented byÌýÌý(KANVA),ÌýÌý(Je fais Mtl/Ville de Montréal),ÌýGorka EspiauÌý(CIRM),Ìý(Magnéto),ÌýPierre Emmanuel MoyseÌý(Faculty of Law, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ) and Julie Aurore Rijpens (SIIL, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ).
Race, Class, and Politics in the Cappuccino City
August 11, 2017, 12h00-13h30 (CIRM, 3438, rue McTavish, salle 100)
,ÌýÌý(University of Chicago Press, 2017). Luncheon discussion moderated byÌýWill StrawÌý(Professor, Art History & Communication Studies, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ) and devoted to the most recent book byÌý, founder and director of theÌýÌýat American University.
Montréal en évolution. Quatre siècles d'architecture et d'aménagement
January 2, 2017, 12:00-14:00 (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
,ÌýÌý(Presses de l'Université du Québec, 2016). Midday discussion with the author. Session commented byÌýÌý(Héritage Montréal),ÌýÌý(Faculté de l'aménagement, UdeM),ÌýÌý(Canadian Centre for Architecture) andÌýÌý().
Chronique des arts de la scène
October 27, 2016, 12:00-13:30 (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
,ÌýÌý(Septentrion, 2016). Lunch discussion moderated byÌýWill Straw, professor in the Department of Art History and Communications at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ. With Andrée Fortin, professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology at Université Laval,Ìý, professor at the École supérieure de théâtre at UQAM, andÌý, historian, essayist and assistant news director atÌýLe DevoirÌýnewspaper.
Le Quartier des Spectacles et le chantier de l'imaginaire montréalais
April 21, 2016, 12:00-14:00 (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Simon Harel, Laurent Lussier and Joël Thibert (dir.),ÌýÌý(Presses de l'Université Laval, 2015).
Pointe-Saint-Charles. L'urbanisation d'un quartier ouvrier de Montréal, 1840-1930
February 25, 2016, 12:00-13:30 (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Gilles Lauzon,Ìý(Septentrion, 2014). Session moderated by Richard Shearmur (ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ).
Architecture iconique. Les leçons de Toronto
January 28, 2016, 12h00-14h00 (CIRM, 3438, rue McTavish, salle 100)
Guillaume Ethier,ÌýÌý(Presses de l'Université du Québec, 2015). Session moderated byÌýNik LukaÌý(Professor, Department of Urban Studies and Department of Architecture, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ),ÌýÌý(Professor, Department of World Literature and Languages, Université de Montréal), andÌýAliki Economides, (Researcher in Residence at CIRM).
De la Belle-Époque à la Crise. Chroniques de la vie culturelle à Montréal
December 10, 2015, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýÌý(dirs.),ÌýÌý(Nota Bene,2015). Session moderated byÌýMichel Biron, Professor in the Department of French Language and Literature at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ, Louis-Patrick Leroux, Professor in the Department of French and English Studies at Concordia University, and Jarrett Rudy, Professor in the Department of History at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ.
Des sociétés distinctes. Gouverner les banlieues bourgeoises de Montréal, 1880-1939
November 5, 2015, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Harold Bérubé,ÌýÌý(ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ-Queen's University Press, 2015). The session will be moderated byÌý, professor in the Department of History at the Université de Montréal.
Salomé et les hommes en noir
October 22, 2015, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Discussion around the book by Valérie Amiraux and Francis Desharnais,ÌýÌý(Bayard, 2015).
La gouvernance montréalaise : de la ville-frontière à la métropole
April 23, 2015, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Lunchtime discussion on the bookÌýÌý(Montréal, Éditions MultiMondes, 2014).presentation by Harold Bérubé and Donald Fyson, co-directors of the publication, with Léon Robichaud.
Nettoyer Montréal. Les campagnes de moralités publiques
March 26, 2015, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Lunchtime discussion on the bookÌýÌýÌý(Montreal, Septentrion, 2014). Presentation by Mathieu Lapointe, author and historian, and comments and reactions by Sandra Breux (Urbanisation, culture, society, Institut national de la recherche scientifique).
L'innovation sociale : les marches d'une construction théorique et pratique
February 26, 2015, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Lunch discussion on the bookÌýÌý(Québec, Presses de l'Université du Québec, 2014). Presentation by Juan-Luis Klein and Benoît Lévesque, co-founders of the Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales, Université du Québec à Montréal. Comments and reactions from Vincent van Shendel (Director General, Innovative Territories in the Social and Solidarity Economy) and Monique Vallée (Head of Social and Community Development and Homelessness, City of Montreal).
Villes en traduction. Calcutta, Trieste, Barcelone et Montréal
February 12, 2015, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Lunchtime discussion on the bookÌýÌý(Montreal, Presses de l'Université de Montréal, 2013). Presentation by Sherry Simon, author and full professor in the Department of French Studies at Concordia University. Comments and reactions by Gillian Lane-Mercier (French Language and Literature, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ) and Robert Schwartzwald (English Studies, Université de Montréal).
Quartiers disparus
January 29, 2015, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Lunchtime discussion on the bookÌýÌý(Montréal, Éditions Cardinal, 2014) with Jean-François Leclerc, Director of the Centre d'histoire de Montréal; Catherine Charlevoix, co-author and museologist at the Centre d'histoire de Montréal; and Paul André Linteau, co-author and full professor in the Department of History at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Comments and reactions by Francine Dansereau (Urbanisation, culture et société, Institut national de la recherche scientifique).
Quand les archives racontent Montréal : 110 pièces d'exception
January 15, 2015, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CIRM, 3438 McTavish Street, Room 100)
Midday discussion on the bookÌýÌý(Québec, Les Publications du Québec, 2013). Presentation by Mario Robert, author, head of the Service des archives de la Ville de Montréal and member of the CIRM advisory committee.Comments and reactions by Sherry Olson (Geography, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ) and Sylvie Taschereau (Social Sciences and Humanities, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières).