Anne-Gaëlle Saliot Named Knight of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques

Anne-Gaëlle Saliot, associate professor of Romance Studies and director of the Center for French and Francophone Studies, has been knighted by the French government as a member of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques.  

Established by Napoleon in 1808, the Ordre des Palmes Académiques is the oldest non-military French recognition and one of the world's oldest civil awards. The honor of chevalier, or knight, recognizes excellence in research, teaching and the promotion of French language and culture.  

“This award symbolizes France's deep appreciation for those who, through commitment, passion and excellence, promote knowledge and strengthen cultural ties,” said Dr. David Ruffel, Cultural Attaché at the French Embassy, who conducted the official investiture on April 28. 

“I was not born to be a knight,” Saliot said, describing challenges her parents faced in a French society that repressed their Gallo-speaking Breton culture and identity. “Despite that background, my family instilled in me the values of knowledge and tenacity, ethics that became my sword and shield in life.” 

At the investiture, Saliot was introduced by her colleague Felwine Sarr, the Anne-Marie Bryan Distinguished Professor of French and Francophone Studies. Addressing Saliot, he said: “As I have co-taught with you, I have witnessed that your classrooms are spaces of dialogue and discovery, where students learn to carefully think and read, and to write boldly. 

“Your work reminds us that the university is not merely a place for instruction, but a place where minds are awakened, where questions are cherished and where curiosity is alive and renewed.” 

Saliot’s scholarship moves across literature, dance, visual arts, philosophy and history, bridging not only continents, but also time periods and disciplines. She joined Duke in 2011 as an assistant professor in the Department of Romance Studies and Program in the Arts of the Moving Image (now Cinematic Arts), becoming the Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professor of Romance Studies in 2014. In 2020 she assumed the position of director of the Center for French and Francophone Studies (CFFS).  

In his speech, Sarr noted that Saliot’s creative direction transformed Duke’s CFFS into one of the most important intellectual platforms for French and francophone studies in the US. Last year, the Center was evaluated by the French Ambassador Laurent Bili as the top “Centre d’Excellence” for French and Francophone Studies in the U.S. 

Saliot thanked students “past, present and future” for continuously reminding her of the reasons why she “chose this path,” as well as her colleagues in the Department of Romance Studies for their understanding and assistance with the challenges of being an international scholar.  

“These are not small acts. They are acts of kindness and solidarity, and, in the current context, I value them even more deeply,” she said. “Just as every knight relies on their companions during trials, international scholars need support — not only compassion, but thoughtful consideration for their work, the immense efforts of adaptation and the many sacrifices required to build — and sustain — a life abroad.” 

Saliot’s relentless efforts to promote French language and culture extend beyond Duke’s walls. In 2020 and 2021, when travel restrictions limited scholars’ and students’ ability to connect with each other, Saliot organized a virtual Transatlantic Lecture Series, inviting French-speaking scholars to discuss the topic of “Inequity and its Contemporary Forms.” She has frequently partnered with Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, to organize and promote lectures, Nights of Ideas and a French Film Festival — now an annual offering of the CFFS. 

In 2022, coinciding with the expansion of the prestigious Prix Goncourt into the U.S., Saliot organized a new French literature course, Reading Contemporary Literature in French for the 'Choix Goncourt' Prize. Designed to encourage students to read and critique the shortlisted novels in their original French, the course provides one or two students with the opportunity to join the selection committee of the U.S. Goncourt Prize in a ceremony in New York. 

“Why do I love books so much? Because they gave me a future and allowed me to dream beyond social constraints,” Saliot said in her acceptance speech. “The work I do is driven by a deep belief in the powers of words and images to change the world — even if that may sound cheesy — and belief in everyone's capacity and right to speak out. 

“Empowered even further by this distinction of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, I will continue to fight for a future where knowledge, words and stories break down barriers, and give everyone a chance to be heard, no matter where we come from.”