Roman Knerr, Class of 2021

>Can you tell us about your academic background?

I entered the Bachelor’s programme at Sciences Po Nancy through the international procedure (via AbiBac). During my second year, I was accepted for the dual degree with the École du Louvre. During my third year in Heidelberg, Germany, I began studying art history with a general core curriculum. Then I came to Paris where I completed the third year of the École du Louvre, specialising in the history of cinema. The dual Master's degree runs simultaneously in both institutions.
At Sciences Po I chose the research path and enrolled on the Master's in History programme, jointly studying the M1 museology programme at the École du Louvre. In M2, I continued working on my thesis with the Master's degree in History of Art applied to collections. My research was supervised by Laurence Bertrand-Dorléac and Dimitri Vezyroglou and focused on the intersection of gender and environmental issues in interwar cinema, through the example of a film. My thesis is entitled Gender in Troubled Waters : Environment and Sexed Relations in Lac aux dames (Marc Allégret, 1933-1934). 

How did your interest in art history begin?

I was lucky to visit museums in my childhood thanks to my grandparents, and this, together with my drawing and writing practice, forged my liking for art history. A summer job at the Louvre confirmed my interest in 19th century painting. However, out of curiosity, at the École du Louvre I chose to specialise in the history of cinema between the 1930s and the 1950s. This study path introduced me to an exceptionally rich medium through which to understand the social and cultural history of art.

What was your experience of the Sciences Po/École du Louvre dual degree?

My class was selected in the second year, before undertaking a year of art history abroad. However, the successive stages of the dual degree have changed since then. We participated in the third year of the École du Louvre's undergraduate programme, which, like the first two years, consists of a vast encyclopaedic tour of the world through lectures and tutorials in museums, in the presence of works of art. On completion of this compulsory foundation year, the dual Master's degree provided opportunities for more autonomous and critical intellectual analysis. Although there are plenty of classes in the first three semesters, the research project begins in M1 and becomes a priority in M2.

What did you gain from your years of study at the Sciences Po School of Research and the École du Louvre?

The Ecole du Louvre allowed me to develop a sharp eye for assessing works of art and to become aware of museological and heritage issues, while the Master's degree at Sciences Po pushed me to develop my critical senses while encountering diverse authors and methodologies.

Which teacher or teaching has had the greatest impact on you?

The social and cultural approach of my teachers in the history of cinema at the École du Louvre (Dimitri Vezyroglou, Christophe Gauthier, Paola Palma) has particularly influenced me. At the beginning of my Master's degree at Sciences Po, it was probably Giacomo Parrinello's introductory course on environmental history that was the most profound discovery for me. The teachings of Pierre Charbonnier and then Romain Bertrand have allowed me to deepen this environmental tropism.

What memories do you have of these two years of study, of your class, your teachers?

My Master's years were marked by the Covid-19 crisis, especially through the two lockdowns. I even had to cancel an exchange semester and fieldwork in Austria. The solidarity between students and the kindness of most of the professors were unequivocal. I especially remember the construction and consolidation of beautiful friendships. The mutual support between students on the dual degree is particularly precious.

What is your current role?

At the end of my Master's degree, I undertook two internships, one as an assistant to an artist, and the other as a programming assistant for the Hors Pistes festival at the Centre Pompidou. For the time being, I am continuing my activity as an artist's assistant in parallel with a Master's degree in ecopoetics, in the context of which I am pursuing research and creative work in environmental humanities.

What were the main stages in the construction of your career plans?

After gaining experience in the field of heritage and museums, notably during the project “Le Plus Grand Musée de France” in Nancy and during an internship at the Louvre Museum, I reconciled my interest in this area with the history of cinema by participating in the preparation of the exhibition Enfin le cinéma! at the Musée d'Orsay, and then by joining the cinema department of the Centre Pompidou. This last internship, coupled with projects with artists, allowed me to experience contemporary creation up close while continuing to make use of my research training.

What have been the contributions of your studies to the position you hold today?

The methodological requirements of the Master's programme allow students to acquire research, analysis and writing skills that guarantee a certain ease in many professional tasks.

Would you have any advice to give to a student who wants to go into the field in which you work today?

During your studies, I would advise you to explore your own research topics while remaining open to other themes that may introduce unexpected ideas. Do not hesitate to ask for help from elders, teachers or professionals, including those outside Sciences Po. Research work is at times very stressful. It is important to know your work preferences, and to exchange references and share your concerns with peers who are going through the same thing. Nurture criticism of your work without taking it personally and defend your position when necessary. On the job market, don't forget that research is formative, that you have acquired valuable knowledge and skills, and that it is unreasonable that a role you are passionate about should come at the price of job security.

Learn more

• The dual degree Sciences Po / École du Louvre (History) (FR)

=> See all the Graduates' Portraits

 [ January 2022 ]