Jean-Claude Ruano-Borbalan earned his Ph.D. in Social History from the University of Paris 1 Sorbonne, specializing in the history of reforms and school governance. He has developed a career in higher education, the mediation and popularization of social sciences, high-level training activities, and consultancy for international organizations such as the EU and OECD. He has also gained experience in communication, media, and the organization of events, seminars, and high-level master classes, aimed at mediating and disseminating research findings and issues.

He is a professor at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM, Chair of Mediation of Techniques and Sciences) and directs the Laboratory of History of Technosciences in Society. His research generally focuses on the history and development of the "knowledge society," primarily concentrating on the mediation of techniques and sciences in society, the processes and techniques of knowledge legitimization, and the analysis of public policies for research and innovation. He is the head of research at the Centre Michel Serres for Innovation and chairs the European Institute of Education and Social Policy.