Raphael Rouquier is a professor of mathematics in the UCLA Mathematics Department and a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Academic Senate. Born in France, Rouquier is an active figure within the mathematics community and regularly comments on research, awards, and the political views of fellow mathematicians. Alongside this professional engagement, he has built a visible record of political activism tied to campus protests and international conflicts.
In October 2024, Rouquier was featured in a Daily Bruin article sharply criticizing UCLA’s handling of campus safety and freedom of expression. He argued that the administration was using institutional power to suppress student protest, particularly demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine. He placed primary blame on law enforcement, asserting that police presence exacerbated violence and pointing to the April 30 mob attack during a pro Palestine protest and the arrests following the May 2 encampment dismantling. He also condemned the administration for failing to engage students in dialogue around Time Place and Manner policies, claiming these rules restrict expression and reflect capitulation to external political pressure related to the Israel Palestine conflict.
Rouquier has not limited his activism to commentary. He participated in UCLA faculty protests for Palestine and against Israel, publicly aligning himself with protest movements that disrupted campus operations. He was also photographed holding a sign calling for the release of Azat Miftakhov, a Russian political prisoner, and has posted and reshared content about Miftakhov consistently for more than three years, making the issue a central feature of his online identity.
His political engagement spans multiple geopolitical arenas. Rouquier has been active in commentary related to the Russia Ukraine war, including sharing posts about a Holocaust memorial destroyed during the invasion of Ukraine. He has also shared content from figures such as Cornel West and circulated articles criticizing President Trump’s rhetoric, including a 2020 campaign controversy.
Rouquier has repeatedly shared criticism of Israel through third party commentary. He amplified Peter Beinart’s arguments linking the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with calls to reverse recognition of Israeli sovereignty over disputed territory. He also shared an article by Gershom Gorenberg criticizing Israel’s cancellation of Oded Goldreich’s Israel Prize, framing the decision as a violation of academic freedom and expression.
Beyond Israel related content, Rouquier frequently reposts material addressing civil rights and racial equity, including a May 9 2024 update from the Civil Rights Project highlighting barriers faced by teachers of color and Indigenous teachers in California. Taken together, his public activity reflects a consistent pattern of ideological advocacy presented through the authority of his academic role.
Record of Advocacy and Ideological Bias
Academic and Organizational Roles
Professor of Mathematics at UCLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Academic Senate
Prominent participant in academic and mathematical professional networks
Public Statements and Activism
October 2024 public criticism of UCLA administration for alleged suppression of Palestine focused protests
Participation in UCLA faculty protests for Palestine and against Israel
Repeated framing of police intervention as a source of violence rather than a response to disorder
Sustained advocacy for Russian political prisoner Azat Miftakhov through public posts and protest signs
Active commentary on Russia Ukraine politics and related historical symbolism
Regular sharing of political content alongside academic commentary
Collaborations and Affiliations
Alignment with faculty activists challenging university governance decisions
Amplification of commentary by political figures and writers critical of Israel
Engagement with civil rights advocacy organizations and activist networks
Impact on Campus Climate and Accountability Concerns
When faculty legislators portray enforcement and governance as illegitimate repression while endorsing disruptive protest activity, they influence how students interpret institutional authority and safety measures. Rouquier’s repeated public framing of police action and administrative policy as politically motivated suppression contributes to a polarized campus environment where protest escalation is normalized and the concerns of students seeking stability and inclusion are sidelined.
