Jean-Paul Thibaud is sociologist and urban planner. His field of research covers the theory of urban ambiances, ordinary perception in urban environment, social anthropology of sound and sensory ethnography of public places. He has directed the Cresson research laboratory and is currently the co-director of the International Ambiances Network. Jean-Paul Thibaud has published numerous papers on urban ambiances and has co-edited various books on this field of research.