Publications

Publications in Peer-reviewed Journals

[3] Mathieu, A. (2024). “Foundations and conditions of green jobs in developing economies: Systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis”. Development and Sustainability in Economics and Finance, 100016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsef.2024.100016

This article examines the challenges and opportunities for implementing Green Jobs (GJs) in developing economies. A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of 516 scientific articles reveals a tension between short-term economic aspirations and long-term sustainable goals. The objective is to identify the conditions under which green jobs can effectively contribute to sustainable development in these economies. In the current context marked by multiple shocks, the concept of green jobs is perceived as a potential response to crises. However, debates about its definition persist, particularly in developing economies that are often overlooked and that question both the “green” and “jobs” components of GJs. The pervasive informal sector presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The success of this transition depends on substantial investments in human capital and a long-term vision integrating economic and sustainability objectives. Emerging small-scale technologies offer new transformative opportunities. The article concludes by highlighting the underrepresentation of developing economies in the English-language green-jobs literature and calls for a more inclusive scientific approach.

[2] Mathieu, A. (2024). “Bibliometric dataset (1995–2022) on green jobs: A comprehensive analysis of scientific publications”. Data in Brief, 52, 109845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109845

This article presents a bibliometric dataset dedicated to the study of green jobs, compiling 414 scientific articles from Scopus and Web of Science following the PRISMA protocol (1995–2022). The dataset captures key bibliometric dimensions-authors, keywords, citations, conceptual clusters—and provides a comprehensive foundation for analyzing the structure and evolution of the green-jobs research field. It enables comparative work with institutional and media discourses on ecological transition and can be expanded to include additional forms of literature (books, chapters, conference papers), making it suitable for multilingual and multidisciplinary analyses. The dataset is intended as an open resource for researchers, institutions and policymakers working on labour markets, sustainability transitions and environmental governance.

[1] Mathieu, A., Taranco, A. (2023). “Insularité et souveraineté dans les politiques de lutte contre la COVID-19”. Mondes en développement, 204, 35–58. https://doi.org/10.3917/med.204.0035

This paper examines COVID-19 policies implemented by small island economies (SIEs), focusing on differences between SIEs and non-SIEs, and between affiliated and independent SIEs. Using a unified dataset of 84 SIEs, the article analyzes the measures adopted and their implementation timelines. Results show that SIEs acted earlier than non-SIEs, with no major distinction between affiliated and independent islands. Insularity is associated with faster public-health responses, while political status shows limited influence on timing.

Book chapters

[3] Mathieu, A., Rihi, Y., Massera, M., Moign, L., Nguirane, M.M., Madioune, E.M., Randriantseheno, M., Pian, L. (2025). « Inégalités doctorales entre les Nords et les Suds : une première exploration depuis la littérature », in Meyer, J.-B., Benguerna, M., Lounaci, A. (Eds.) Études doctorales africaines : Diversité de situations et enjeux communs. Éditions IRD & African Minds. ISBN: 978-2-7099-3080-2

Literature review examining structural, socio-economic, gender and mobility inequalities affecting African doctoral students. The chapter highlights the colonial legacy, the marginalisation of local knowledge, the funding gap, barriers to mobility, academic precariousness and disparities in employability. It proposes a typology of doctoral inequalities and emphasises the need for more equitable collaborations and strengthened institutional capacities for a more inclusive and sustainable science.

[2] Mathieu, A., Geronimi, V., Taranco, A. (2025). « COVID-19 et réponses insulaires : une analyse ouverte avec le jeu de données SIECRT », in Clément, M. et al. (Eds.) Politiques de développement, acteurs et évaluations. EME Louvain (à paraître).

Chapter presenting the SIECRT dataset, which documents eight health measures taken by 26 small island economies between 2020 and 2021. It shows that insularity promotes a strong capacity for anticipation-with SIDS adopting their first measures before cases appeared-while political status has a marginal influence on timing and policy choices. The analysis highlights the role of open science in building reliable comparative data and the need to adapt health policies to the structural specificities of SIDS.

[1] Mathieu, A., Rihi, Y. (2025). « Penser les transitions justes dans les Suds : enjeux et perspectives de quantification pour les politiques d’emplois verts », in Clément, M. et al. (Eds.) Politiques de développement, acteurs et évaluations. EME Louvain (à paraître).

This chapter analyses the conceptual and operational limitations of green jobs in the Global South based on a critical assessment of just transitions. It highlights the tensions between development imperatives, the predominance of informality and the global measurement framework, and then discusses the relevance of the Just Transition Score. The study proposes methodological approaches for adapting quantification tools to local socio-economic realities and fully integrating employment as a central lever for just transitions.

Working papers

[2] Blanc, B., Mathieu, A., Geronimi, V. et al. “How Much Worth is the Deep-Sea? Insights from a Meta-Analysis”, One Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-699, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-699

Meta-analysis aimed at standardising the monetary valuation of deep-sea ecosystem resources and services (GFM). The study aims to consolidate existing approaches and propose an integrated framework covering market resources, non-market services and new sectors (marine energy, biotechnology, mining). This work contributes to scientific and political discussions on the governance of the deep sea and to the development of sustainable policies based on the ecological, economic and societal value of the deep ocean.

[1] Mathieu, A., Taranco, A., Geronimi, V. A Dataset on Covid-19 Responses in Small Island Economies.
Available at SSRN 4651669. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4651669

Presentation of the original SIECRT dataset, coding eight health measures in 26 small island economies. This dataset allows for analysis of the anticipation, intensity, and geography of public responses to the pandemic. An open resource, compatible with Response2Covid19, igit at is designed to compare the impact of insularity and political status on the health strategies implemented during the crisis.

Work in progress

[3] “The role of jobs with high greening potential in macroeconomic performance and sustainability”, Work in progress.

While the concept of ‘green’ jobs is gaining ground, its macroeconomic effects remain poorly studied, particularly in economies with high levels of informality. This study assesses the impact of jobs with high greening potential (HGPJ) on growth, resilience to cyclical downturns and intergenerational sustainability (adjusted real savings). Using a panel covering economies in the North and South, we combine fixed effects models and two-stage IV estimation using a synthetic geographical instrument (geo_index) to identify the causal effect of the share of GPJ. The results reveal a causal growth dividend: an exogenous increase in HGPJ stimulates GDP and mitigates both the frequency and depth of prolonged downturns. Informality, as measured by the self-employment rate, does not significantly alter these effects. With regard to sustainability, quadratic estimates show a U-shaped relationship: below a threshold of 30–35% of EFPV, transition costs reduce net savings, while above this threshold there appears to be a real green benefit. These results shed light on the institutional and social conditions necessary to transform the greening of employment into a sustainable driver of growth and resilience.

[2] “Greening jobs in the Global South: a critical and sectoral analysis of the potential for environmental transition”, Working paper.

Current measures of job greening remain focused on the formal economies of the North, neglecting the massive informality of the economies of the South. This working paper proposes a new global mapping of activities with high greening potential. By cross-referencing NACE–ISIC with the European Green Taxonomy, we have constructed SAGE, a harmonised database derived from ILOSTAT microdata, disaggregated by gender, age, education, establishment size and formal/informal status. We introduce the concept of jobs with high greening potential (JHP), which is better suited to the contexts covered by SAGE than the category of ‘green jobs’. Our results show a clear gradient: high-income countries have a higher concentration of HGPJ, while low-income economies lag behind and remain highly heterogeneous. Higher education graduates have much greater access to HGPJ, while young people and informal workers are largely excluded. Sectorally, water, waste and renewable energy services dominate in advanced countries, compared to agriculture and extraction in Southern economies. These results highlight the need to adapt greening measurement frameworks to informal economies in order to support a truly inclusive transition.

[1] “Vers une ‘transition juste de la recherche’”, Work in progress.

Datasets

[2] Mathieu, A. (2023). BDGJ – Bibliometric Dataset on Green Jobs. Recherche Data Gouv, V1. https://doi.org/10.57745/4LOIZB

We have developed a bibliometric database centered on the concept of “Green Job”, compiling 414 articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, exclusively focusing on English-language literature, following a defined PRISMA protocol over the period 1995–2022. This endeavor aims to highlight the dynamics, themes, and conceptual approaches shaping the discourse on green jobs. The database, structured around 13 descriptive variables such as authors, keywords, and cited references, is made available to researchers, institutions and decision-makers to provide insight into academic debates on ecological transition through the lens of employment, particularly in the wake of a green economy.

[1] Mathieu, A. (2023). SIECRT – Small Island Economies COVID-19 Response Tracker. Recherche Data Gouv, V1. https://doi.org/10.57745/I69YFF

SIECRT is a new dataset focused on public health measures adopted by 26 small affiliated island economies in their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, between January 1, 2020, and April 31, 2021, with some exceptions extending until October 30, 2021. This dataset stands out from previous ones by focusing on affiliated island territories, often overlooked in existing databases. It includes eight public health measures, such as restrictions on gatherings, educational establishments, and international travel. Each measure is coded daily.

Replication data

[2] Replication data for chapters 2 and 3 of my thesis entitled “Political economy of green jobs: informality in the Global South and the quest for a just transition” (Mathieu 2025) in : https://github.com/AMathieuLN/these_EV_2025

[1] Replication data for : “Penser les transitions justes dans les Suds : enjeux et perspectives de quantification pour les politiques d’emplois verts” (Mathieu et Rihi, 2025) in: https://github.com/AMathieuLN/Just_Transitions_Green_Jobs

Posters

[2] Mathieu, A., Taranco, A. (2022) ≪ Poster : Insularité et souveraineté dans les politiques de lutte contre la COVID-19 ≫. 〈hal-04336522〉

[1] N’Da, L.K., Kouassi, A.K., Kouakou Die A.G., Kone D.H., Mathieu, A. (2023) Regards croisés Côte d’Ivoire / France : l’activité verte comme levier pour renforcer la résilience des territoires

Other publications

[3] Goujon, M., Lucic, N., Mathieu, A. (2023). Veille Internet : petites économies insulaires, chocs et résilience. Mondes en développement, 204, 179–186.

This Internet monitoring identifies and describes the main databases useful for studying small island and coastal economies, with an emphasis on those covering a wide range of socio-economic and environmental areas. It presents international, regional and local databases, as well as resources dedicated to the vulnerability of SIDS, historical data, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.

[2] Mathieu, A., Pian, L., Ba, M., Madioune, E. M., Moign, L., N’Da, L., Nguirane, M. M., Randriant-seheno, M., Rihi, Y. (2023). Disparités doctorales entre Nord et Sud : bilan et stratégies de coordination juste à l’UMI SOURCE (2022-2023).〈hal-04336522〉

This report summarises the doctoral disparities between North and South within the UMI SOURCE and the actions undertaken in 2022–2023 to strengthen more equitable coordination. Through workshops, scientific days and the creation of the GTDID, the UMI has attempted to improve doctoral integration and foster new collaborations, despite persistent structural inequalities.

[1] Mathieu, A. Synthèse des XXXVIIèmes Journées du développement de l’ATM, Cahiers de l’Association Tiers-Monde, n°38 – 2023.

This closing speech reviews the main bridges that emerged during the ATM 2023 conference: between research and art, between research and society through policy evaluation, and between disciplines — while proposing a fourth avenue: introducing the issue of open science into the conference as a major lever for strengthening and disseminating research in development.

Research program

CREONS is a research programme under development that examines structural inequalities in research funding and the conditions for more equitable and open science between the Global North and South. It combines three areas of work:

  1. Documenting research inequalities in French-speaking Africa using previously unpublished data;
  2. Co-developing open science and AI tools;
  3. Defining equitable decarbonisation of research using a tool that combines carbon footprint and scientific benefits.

Led by a transdisciplinary team of economists, geographers, sociologists and philosophers, CREONS is part of a political economy of science and a just transition in research, articulating epistemic, distributive and environmental justice.

Website: https://umisource.github.io/GTDID/en/

In collaboration with doctoral students, researchers and research support staff, I took part in the formation of the GTDID, focusing on inequalities in doctoral research between North and South regions. We are conducting an analysis of doctoral conditions, highlighting the challenges of cultural and academic diversity, and carrying out an exhaustive review of the literature on doctoral disparities between North and South. The study focuses on the causes of these inequalities, such as funding, access to resources and working conditions, and their impact on developing research. A groundbreaking comparative empirical study is being organized, using mixed methods. This group is part of the IRD Working Group on Inequalities, with the participation of researchers and doctoral students.

First productions:

  • Mathieu, A. Rihi, Y. Massera, M. Moing, L. Nguirane, M.M. Madioune, E.M. Randriantseheno, M. Pian, L. (2024) “Doctoral inequalities between the Global North and the Global South: an initial exploration through literature” in Dotoral Studies in Africa. Ed. J-B. Meyer, A. African Minds. [coming soon]

  • Mathieu, A. Rihi, Y. Massera, M. Moing, L. Nguirane, M.M. Madioune, E.M. Randriantseheno, M. Pian, L. (2024) “Inégalités doctorales entre les Nords et les Suds : une première exploration depuis la littérature” in Le doctorat dans les Afriques. Ed. J-B. Meyer, A. éditions IRD. [coming soon]

  • Mathieu, A. Pian, L. Ba, M. Madioune, E.M. Moing, L. N’da, L. Nguirane, M.M. Randriantseheno, M. Rihi, Y. (2024) Disparités doctorales entre Nord et Sud : bilan et stratégies de « coordination juste » à l’UMI SOURCE (2022-2023). 2023. ⟨hal-04336522⟩

Directed by V. Geronimi for UMI SOURCE (ex-CEMOTEV) (France), LARJE (New Caledonia), CERDI (France), LC2S (Martinique), CEMOI (Réunion), ATOM (Guadeloupe), Massey University (New Zealand), LAVUE (Mayotte), PRINTEMPS (France). The POLIR project aims to analyse the role of policies and institutions in the socio-economic resilience of SIE in the face of the COVID 19 pandemic. The project thus aims to assess the capacity of SIE to regain, renew or reinvent their economic activities, depending on policies, institutions and development models in the face of the pandemic.

I took part in this program as part of my M2 internship, which resulted in several scientific productions:

  • Mathieu, A. Geronimi, V. Taranco, A. (2025) “COVID-19 et réponses insulaires : une analyse ouverte avec le jeu de données SIECRT”, in Clément, M. et al. [Eds] Politiques de développement, acteurs et évaluations, EME Louvain [coming soon]

  • Mathieu, A. Taranco, A. (2023). Insularité et souveraineté dans les politiques de lutte contre la COVID-19. Mondes en développement, 204, 35-58. https://doi.org/10.3917/med.204.0035

  • Mathieu, A. Taranco, A. Geronimi, V. (2023) A Dataset on Covid-19 Responses in Small Island Economies. Available at SSRN 4651669. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4651669

  • Mathieu, A. (2023). SIECRT - Small Island Economies COVID-19 Response Tracker. Recherche Data Gouv, V1. https://doi.org/10.57745/I69YFF

Consultancy

In december 2024, qualitative research on the mobilization of local resources by local authorities in Madagascar - Commissioner: Cultural Cooperation and Action Service (SCAC), French Embassy in Madagascar.

Fieldworks

  • Coming 2026 (3 months) - Support for component 6 of the TADY project on the socio-economic impact of diaspora initiatives; roll-out of the first GTDID survey in Madagascar.

  • 10/2025 - Qualitative survey conducted as part of the GTDID on doctoral research conditions and the emergence of open science at Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.

  • 12/2024 - Qualitative survey on the mobilisation of local resources by local authorities in Madagascar - Sponsor: Cultural Cooperation and Action Service (SCAC), French Embassy in Madagascar (1 month).