Najat Vallaud-Belkacem is a French politician, who on 25 August 2014 was the first French woman to be appointed Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Research, joining the Second Valls Government.
Previously she was Minister of Women’s Affairs (16 May 2012 to 25 August 2014, Ayrault government and First Valls Government, Minister of City Affairs (2 April 2012 to 25 August 2014, First Valls government), Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports (2 April 2012 to 25 August 2014, First Valls government), and Government spokesperson (16 May 2012 to 31 March 2014, Ayrault government).
Najat Vallaud-Belkacem joined research and polling firm Ipsos as CEO of its Global Affairs division in 2018. The department carries out research (on impact, public policy evaluation…) that helps international institutions, NGOs, international foundations and other actors which act in the global public interest better make decisions.
In addition to her work with Ipsos, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem launched and co-directs the Gender Equality and Public Policy programme at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. She also heads Raison de Plus, a collection of progressive essays published by Fayard.