Chloé Lala-Guyard

Please tell us about your research project
My research project examines the influence played by subjective experiences (prior feelings, emotions and world views) in people’s decision to get involved in terrorist actions. In other words, my goal is to highlight the underlying mechanisms at work to further explain the pathways from emotions to violent engagements. This approach involves both fields of political violence and sociology of emotions.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/ exchange programme?
My research stay at the Maison Française d’Oxford comes before starting my fieldwork that will (hopefully) last for a year with French detainees incarcerated for terrorist activities. As a result, thanks to this scholarship, I wish to further my knowledge of radicalization and the sociology of emotions. I intend to use extensive English literature on these subjects allowing me to develop a detailed and structured literature review before getting actively involved on the field. I hope to be able to come to a complete literature review at the end of my stay.

First impressions of Oxford/ the University?
The exponential number of libraries and historical buildings makes the city so special and interesting. The architecture of Oxford is emblematic. Every passage holds the potential to explore new aspects of the city. It feels like living in a very cosy atmosphere in which the learning experience is extremely enjoyable.