Annick BATARD is a teacher and researcher at the Université Sorbonne Paris Nord (formerly Paris 13). His research within the framework of LabSic concerns cultural industries and in particular the French general press as well as books. His doctoral thesis in information and communication sciences, defended in 2003 at the University of Paris 13, focused on the legitimization of CD-ROMs and video games through a journalistic critique for the general public. His research focuses on cultural journalistic criticism, both old and new (design, gastronomy) ; to the changes in the French generalist press and the book sector in connection with multimedia and/or digital technology, and new mobile reading tools such as tablets or e-readers; to aspects of works and characters; as well as to the various processes of legitimization and/or acceleration that traverse contemporary society of post-modernity or « late modernity » according to Harmut Rosa’s expression.