# Michel Beaudouin-Lafon

> French computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q3308968](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3308968)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Beaudouin-Lafon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michel-beaudouin-lafon

## Summary
Michel Beaudouin-Lafon is a French computer scientist specializing in human–computer interaction. He is a professor and researcher affiliated with the University of Paris-Sud, a member of the Institut Universitaire de France, and an ACM Fellow recognized for contributions to HCI, instrumental interaction, and generative theory.

## Biography
- Born: 1961-07-20, Caudéran
- Nationality: France
- Education: Doctorate (doctorate in France) — University of Paris-Sud, 1985; doctoral advisor: Gérard Guiho
- Known for: Contributions to human–computer interaction, instrumental interaction, and generative theory
- Employer(s): University of Paris-Sud; member of Institut Universitaire de France; affiliated with CNRS
- Field(s): Computer science; human–computer interaction

## Contributions
Michel Beaudouin-Lafon has produced a body of work in human–computer interaction recognized by major community and national honors. He completed his doctorate in 1985 under Gérard Guiho and has supervised doctoral students including Jean-Daniel Fekete, Nicolas Roussel, and Thomas Baudel. His research contributions include the development of ideas cited in his ACM Fellow citation: instrumental interaction and generative theory; these contributions were explicitly recognized when he was named an ACM Fellow (class of 2022, announced 2023) "for contributions to human‑computer interaction, instrumental interaction and generative theory, and community leadership." He was elected to the CHI Academy in 2006. At the national level, he received the CNRS silver medal in 2022. Beaudouin-Lafon has held academic and research positions at the University of Paris-Sud and has been a member of the Institut Universitaire de France. His work spans research, supervision, and community leadership in HCI as reflected in awards and memberships.

## FAQs
### Q: Who is Michel Beaudouin-Lafon?
A: He is a French computer scientist and researcher in human–computer interaction. He is affiliated with the University of Paris-Sud and the Institut Universitaire de France.

### Q: What are his most notable honors?
A: He is a member of the CHI Academy (inducted 2006), received the CNRS silver medal in 2022, and was named an ACM Fellow for the class of 2022 (announcement dated 2023-01-18).

### Q: Where did he receive his doctorate and who advised him?
A: He received his doctorate from the University of Paris-Sud in 1985. His doctoral advisor was Gérard Guiho.

## Why They Matter
Michel Beaudouin-Lafon has had a sustained influence on the field of human–computer interaction through both intellectual contributions and community leadership. His work on instrumental interaction and what is described as generative theory was singled out by the ACM when naming him a Fellow, indicating that his theories and frameworks have shaped research directions and practice within HCI. His election to the CHI Academy in 2006 and the CNRS silver medal in 2022 demonstrate recognition from both international research communities and national scientific institutions. As a doctoral adviser to multiple researchers (including Jean-Daniel Fekete), he has directly influenced subsequent generations of HCI researchers. Institutional roles at the University of Paris-Sud and membership in the Institut Universitaire de France have given him platforms to lead research programs and mentor students. Without his theoretical and mentoring contributions, parts of the HCI community’s theoretical foundation and certain research lineages would be less developed.

## Notable For
- Named to the CHI Academy (2006) for contributions and leadership in HCI.
- Awarded the CNRS silver medal (2022).
- Named an ACM Fellow for the class of 2022 (announcement 2023-01-18) "for contributions to human‑computer interaction, instrumental interaction and generative theory, and community leadership."
- Doctorate (1985) from University of Paris-Sud; doctoral advisor Gérard Guiho.
- Doctoral advisor to notable researchers including Jean-Daniel Fekete.

## Body

### Early life and education
- Born on 1961-07-20 in Caudéran.
- Studied at the University of Paris-Sud.
- Earned a doctorate in 1985 in computer science.
- Doctoral advisor: Gérard Guiho.

### Academic career and positions
- Employed by the University of Paris-Sud (academic and research roles).
- Member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), iuf_member_id: 930.
- Affiliated with CNRS (recognized on CNRS pages and recipient of CNRS awards).
- Holds roles as researcher, research fellow, university teacher, and engineer as recorded in institutional data.

### Research and contributions
- Field of work: computer science and human–computer interaction.
- Recognized for contributions labeled "instrumental interaction" and "generative theory" in his ACM Fellow citation.
- Supervised doctoral students who continued in HCI research, including Jean-Daniel Fekete, Nicolas Roussel, and Thomas Baudel.
- Inducted into the CHI Academy in 2006, signaling long-standing impact on the HCI community.

### Awards and honors
- CHI Academy inductee, 2006.
- CNRS silver medal, 2022.
- ACM Fellow (class of 2022; announcement 2023-01-18) for contributions to HCI, instrumental interaction, generative theory, and community leadership.
- Member of the French Academy of Sciences (membership qualifier start_time: 2025).

### Identifiers and online presence
- Personal website: https://www.lri.fr/~mbl/
- ISNI: 0000000000693960
- VIAF: 7446070
- VIAF and other national library identifiers present in institutional records.
- Google Scholar author id: OucrYFkAAAAJ
- ACM Digital Library author id: 81100644686
- DBLP author id: 00/2489

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. [Source](https://www.cnrs.fr/fr/personne/michel-beaudouin-lafon)
2. [Source](http://www.sudoc.fr/126097674)
3. [Source](https://www.cnrs.fr/fr/personne/medailles-dargent-2022)
4. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2023/january/fellows-2022)
5. [Source](http://www.theses.fr/1985PA112387)
6. Mathematics Genealogy Project
7. CiNii Research
8. [SUDOC](http://www.sudoc.fr/126097674)