Richard Descoings

Richard Descoings was born on 23 June 1958 in Paris.

Educational background and professional career

Senior member of the Council of State, Director of the Institut d’études politiques de Paris and Administrator of the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques since 1996, Richard Descoings graduated from the Institut d’études politiques de Paris in 1980 and subsequently studied at the Ecole Nationale de l’Administration from 1983 to 1985.

From 1985 to 1989, he worked as an auditor in the legal section of the Council of State and, in 1987, was appointed special advisor to Alain Lancelot, Director of the Institut d’études politiques de Paris.

In 1989 he was appointed Deputy Director of the Institut d’études politiques de Paris, and remained in that post until 1991 when he was appointed Counsel of the Council of State.

From 1991 to 1993, he was successively technical advisor to the cabinet of the Minister for the Budget, with particular responsibility for monitoring the national education and higher education budget, and then special advisor to the Minister for National Education with responsibility for budgetary issues.

From 1993 to 1996 he was appointed Deputy General Reporter on the report and studies section of the Council of State and on the task force on the responsibilities and organization of the State.  From 1995 to 1996, he worked as government commissioner for legal training at the Council of State.

Richard Descoings was appointed Director of the Institut d’études politiques de Paris in 1996.

Associations, Clubs and interests

Member of the Conférénce des Presidents d’Université (CPU).
Member of Le Siècle.
Knight of the French Order of Merit.
Knight of the French Order of Academic Palms.
Commander of the Brazilian Order of Rio Branco.

His interests include swimming, opera (18th and 19th century), wine and French cuisine.