Romain Fillon – Formal thesis award for his research on climate uncertainties

We are pleased to highlight the outstanding distinction obtained by Romain Fillon, recipient of a solemn thesis prize awarded by the Académie des sciences, for his doctoral work on climate change and the uncertainties surrounding it. His work was recognized during the 2025 prize season of the Académie des sciences, underscoring the importance and originality of his scientific contributions.

A remarkable academic path

A former student of the SHS Department (class of 2015), Romain Fillon earned his PhD in economics after defending his thesis entitled “Climate Uncertainties” at Université Paris-Saclay (research center CIRED – Centre international de recherche sur l’environnement et le développement). The thesis examines uncertainties related to climate change by combining spatial and stochastic dynamic models to measure their impacts on economic and environmental policies. In particular, it proposes advances in quantifying the social cost of carbon when significant risks (such as climate “tipping point” phenomena) are taken into account, as well as in assessing the interactions between climate systems and public policies.

A solemn prize from the Chancellery of the Universities

In 2025, Romain Fillon was honored with the First Prize 2025 of the Chancellerie des universités de Paris for the best thesis in economics, as well as with the award for the best doctoral thesis in environmental and resource economics granted by the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE). These prestigious recognitions highlight the excellence of his research on a major issue of the 21st century: understanding climate uncertainties and translating them into tools to support public decision-making. These distinctions reflect the scientific and societal impact of his thesis, which sheds light on fundamental mechanisms of climate change and their economic implications.

Significant contributions to climate economics

Romain Fillon’s work provides innovative methodological tools for integrating climate uncertainties into economic models, addressing both extreme risks and the complex interactions between physical and economic variables. These approaches strengthen policymakers’ capacity to design robust climate policies in the face of uncertain and evolving information.

A researcher to watch

With this dual recognition—academic and professional—Romain Fillon confirms his place as one of the most promising young researchers in climate economics. His trajectory testifies both to the excellence of French scientific training and to the crucial importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing the challenges of climate change.