Strasbourg mourns Loss of Media Philosopher Clara-Doïna Schmelck at 40
STRASBOURG, France – The world of French journalism and academia is in mourning following the death of Clara-Doïna Schmelck, a respected philosopher, journalist, and specialist in social networks. Schmelck passed away in Strasbourg at the end of August 2025, at the age of 40, after a battle with stomach cancer. A private burial was held this Wednesday, September 3rd.
Those who knew Schmelck remember her for her ”intellectual liveliness, human warmth, and relevance,” qualities evident even during her early years at the Leclerc college in Schiltigheim, where she first impressed her peers.
born in 1985,Schmelck pursued a rigorous academic path,attending the high school of pontonniers in Strasbourg,followed by preparatory classes for the grandes écoles at the Jeanne-d’Albret high school in Saint-germain-en-Laye. As a Normalienne, she immersed herself in the study of beliefs, history, and geography before ultimately choosing a career in journalism, graduating from the CFPJ in Paris.Schmelck quickly established herself as a leading voice on the intersection of media, technology, and society. She lectured at Sciences Po Strasbourg and the EFJ journalism school, sharing her insights on the evolving digital landscape. Her expertise was sought after nationally; in February 2024, she presented at the Strasbourg bioethics forum on the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and human connection, and frequently appeared on France Culture to debate the impact of social networks.
In 2019, she co-authored The Professions of the Future with Isabelle Rouhan, published by First.
The Association of Media Journalists (AJM) described Schmelck as a “fine observer” of new media, praising her “philosophical and sociological reflection on the world of the media, in particular in the face of the challenges raised by social networks.” Colleagues remember her as brilliant, sympathetic, and possessing a keen sense of humor.
Her untimely passing represents a critically important loss for those seeking to understand the profound changes shaping the modern media habitat.