Violette Kerleaux, PhD · Behavioural science applied to political violence and influence

Expertise

Areas of expertise

Understanding what drives individuals and groups towards violence, commitment or rupture, and turning it into concrete levers for action.

Contemporary conflicts and dynamics of violence

How violence emerges, takes hold and is regulated within groups, organisations and institutions.

Ideological commitment, radicalisation and violent action

Social identity, identity threat, group norms: the mechanisms that lead from commitment to violent action.

Influence and ideological conflict

Persuasion, attitude change and counterproductive strategies: what convinces, and what backfires.

Core skillsBehavioural analysisInvestigationsInterviewsMediationFormal hearingsWitness statement analysisReport writingAdvising decision-makersCrisis managementSurvey methodology and data analysisTraining and public speaking

Key conceptsSocial influenceIdeologiesCognitive biasesGroup dynamicsReactanceViolent action

CommunicationScience communicationPublic speaking and mediaE-learning designVideo scriptwriting

Business managementManaging director · Purple LabTeam managementClient project management

Digital and AIWebsite buildingConnecting and automating toolsAI-assisted writingStatistics and data analysis

LanguagesEnglish · C1Spanish · C1

Experience

Ten years in the field

Over 100 assignments since 2017, with Purple Lab and before, for companies, public bodies, local authorities and universities. Assignments are grouped by theme; the list of clients, by sector, follows below. Investigations are confidential.

111assignments since 2017

67clients

5sectors

Internal investigations and crisis managementEstablishing the facts, analysing group and power dynamics, restoring how the team works.

6 assignments

2024 – 2026
Eight disciplinary investigations in large corporationsLarge corporations · hearings, witness statement analysis, reports
2021 – 2022
Psychosocial and legal investigationsLarge corporations · with an HR expert and an employment lawyer
2024 – 2025
Mediation of a team in tension after an investigationLarge corporation · group process, coaching of the person accused
2025
Conflict management in a team in tensionNon-profit · mediation and team awareness
2022
Support group after an internal crisisLarge corporation · after an internal crisis
2015
Psychosocial audit and mediation of a team in conflictLarge corporation · investigation, analysis of practices and relationships

Behaviour and violent actionUnderstanding what leads to violence and supporting behaviour change.

4 assignments

2025
Support for a person accusedLarge corporation · psychological follow-up, change in management practices
2021 – 2024
Support for perpetrators of violencePublic service · individual follow-up, behaviour change, reintegration
2023
Interviews for a listening serviceUniversity · psychological support and referral
2019 – 2022
Discussion groups and group dynamicsTransport company · over 100 sessions · collective norms and workplace climate

Data analysis and applied researchDesigning surveys, analysing results, informing decisions.

6 assignments

2025
Statistical analysis of a survey on violence and feelings of insecurityOrganisation · scientific advice on data presentation
2023
Quality of working life barometerLocal authority · tool design, workshops, analysis
2022
Quantitative audit and organisational diagnosisHealth · survey administration and analysis of results
2021
Scientific evaluation of a programmeOrganisation · research protocol, data collection
2019 – 2020
Data analysis on stereotypes and attitudesTwo organisations · data processing and statistical analysis
2018 – 2019
Survey of education staffLocal authority · design, analysis, reporting

Training, talks and consultingChanging attitudes and behaviour: executives, HR, managers and staff.

6 assignments

2025
Conducting investigations in organisationsLarge corporation · training
2025 – 2026
Handling a report and managing internal investigationsUniversity · continuing education
2025
Authority, power and managerial abuseLarge corporation · talk
2024
Violence at work: psychosocial, HR and legal perspectivesPublic service · panel discussion
2023 – 2024
Four e-learning modules on discrimination and inclusionGrande école · instructional design
2025
Preventing discrimination and promoting inclusion at workLarge corporation · talk

All assignments, by sectorCompanies, public sector, higher education, consulting and tech, non-profits.

111 assignments · 67 clients

Large companies and industry11 clients · 28 assignments

2021 – 2026
Large corporations (confidential)Investigation ×8 · Crisis management ×3
2024 – 2025
EssilorLuxotticaTraining ×3 · Individual support · Crisis management
2015 – 2025
OrangeTraining · Workshop · Audit
2019 – 2022
RATPOver 100 sessions · discussion groups
2025
ColasTalk
2025
DefontaineTraining
2025
EDFWorkshop
2024
EnercoopWorkshop
2024
France Energie MarineTraining
2024
La ForézienneTraining
2020
SiemensTraining

Public sector and local authorities14 clients · 20 assignments

2021 – 2024
France Travail (French public employment service)Individual support ×3 · Training ×3
2022 – 2023
Roissy Pays de FranceConsulting · Training
2025
Agence Eau Seine NormandieWorkshop
2025
Assurance Maladie · Ministère de l’ÉcologieTraining
2017
Centre social municipal de Boulogne-sur-MerWorkshop
2018 – 2019
Conseil départemental de Meurthe-et-MoselleConsulting
2022
Département de Loire-AtlantiqueAwareness session
2022
Département d’IsèreWorkshop
2026
Le Voyage à NantesTalk
2025
Nantes MétropoleTalk
2024
SDIS 44Workshop
2025
Ville de NantesWorkshop
2024
Ville de SarcellesWorkshop
2024
Ville des MureauxWorkshop

Higher education and schools13 clients · 27 assignments

2021 – 2026
Nantes UniversitéWorkshop ×5 · Training ×2 · Consulting
2023 – 2025
ENSAMTraining ×3 · Consulting
2021 – 2022
Brio (Audencia)Talk ×2
2022 – 2024
Sciences PoConsulting · Instructional design
2020 – 2025
Université Lyon 3Consulting · Training
2022
École Centrale NantesTraining ×2
2024
Collège Colonel Fabien (Montreuil)Training
2021
EDHECWorkshop
2019
INSA – LyonWorkshop
2021
ISMEWorkshop
2018
Lycée Jean-Perrin – NantesWorkshop
2023
Paris DauphineTalk
2022
UCO AngersTalk

Consulting, tech and start-ups10 clients · 13 assignments

2024 – 2025
AlgoéAwareness session · Training
2023 – 2024
SSTICTraining · Consulting
2021 – 2022
WefightWorkshop · Training
2024
Archery Strategy ConsultingWorkshop
2025
ConsentisData analysis
2020
DiversidaysWorkshop
2019 – 2020
myinsightConsulting
2024
PimenkoInstructional design
2024
UnowTraining
2023
WeworkWorkshop

Health, non-profits and NGOs19 clients · 23 assignments

2022 – 2024
France Terre d’AsileAwareness session ×2 · Consulting
2025
AIDESTraining · Crisis management
2020 – 2021
Liberté MauxData analysis · Consulting
2019
#MeandYoutooConsulting
2021
#Respecte ta cuisineConsulting
2025
ADAPHWorkshop
2022
AFMDConsulting
2023 – 2024
BERCInstructional design
2022
CAP 75Talk
2024
CARE ONGWorkshop
2021
CRIAVS Centre-Val de LoireWorkshop
2025
En Avant ToutesTraining
2021
Interasso NantesTraining
2018
Réseau Osez RHWorkshop
2021
Sans Risques AssociationIndividual support
2023
SF ORLWorkshop
2022
UC-IRSATraining
2018
URCIDFF – NantesData analysis
2020
Women Initiative FoundationData analysis

Research

Research and publications

My work focuses on intergroup relations, identity threat and the effectiveness of interventions: why some messages convince, and why others backfire.

Publications and presentationsPhD thesis, book chapter, international conference papers.

12 references

Réduire le sexisme et les violences sexuelles : entre bonnes pratiques et stratégies contre-productivesPhD thesis in social psychology, defended in November 2024 · Nantes Université · Read the thesis on HAL ↗
PhD thesis
Engager les hommes en faveur de l'égalité : identification des bonnes pratiques pour neutraliser les mécanismes de résistanceWith S. de Lemus, J. A. Munar, L. Estevan-Reina, A. Ndobo · doctoral seminar, Université de Lille, 2021
Communication
Outils de diagnostic pour mieux repérer et identifier les violences de genre : deux recherches-actionsWith C. Giquel, G. Gauvin, E. Noguès-Gilles · PSITEC laboratory, Lille, 2020
Communication
Engaging men in collective action to promote gender equality: the central role of moral indignation and empathyWith S. de Lemus, J. A. Munar, L. Estevan-Reina, A. Ndobo · CERE, Granada, 2020 (accepted, cancelled due to Covid-19)
Communication
More than words: gendered language exacerbates stereotype threat among women in STEMMoyano, de Lemus, Kerleaux, Krawietz, Dasgupta · manuscript in preparation, 2020
Article
Le sexisme comme vecteur d'inégalités et de risque : la question de l'efficacité des dispositifs de préventionWith A. Ndobo · in Psychologie sociale appliquée aux grandes thématiques contemporaines, L'Harmattan, 2019
Chapter
Engaging men to promote gender equality: a model testing efficient strategies to reduce sexism and counteract threatWith S. de Lemus, J. A. Munar, L. Estevan-Reina, A. Ndobo · EASP Meeting, Utrecht, 2019
Communication
Prévenir les microagressions sexistes du quotidien : méthode de dépistage en contexte professionnel (DISCP)With A. Ndobo · SFP conference, Poitiers, 2019
Communication
Réduire le sexisme : bonnes pratiques et techniques contre-productivesWith A. Ndobo · LPPL seminar, Nantes, 2018
Communication
Réduire le sexisme au travail ? Effets du contact et de la coopération des acteursWith A. Ndobo · AIPTLF, Bordeaux, 2018
Communication
Dilution du sexisme via des interventions psychosociales : les effets du contact et de l'implication dans la tâcheMaster's thesis, Université de Nantes, 2017
Master's thesis
Augmentation de l'estime de soi et perception des compétences professionnelles chez les femmesMaster's thesis, Université de Nantes, 2015
Master's thesis

Research projectsGranada, Nantes, Audencia.

6 projects

2018 – 2019
Identity threat in anti-sexism messagesUniversity of Granada, with Soledad de Lemus · Erasmus +
2018 – 2019
Non-sexist language as protection against stereotype threatUniversity of Granada
2017 – 2018
Identity threat and attitude change in psychosocial interventionsUniversité de Nantes · PhD, study 2
2017 – 2018
Contact and psychosocial skills in adolescentsUniversité de Nantes · PhD, study 1
2016 – 2017
Effects of contact and task involvementUniversité de Nantes, with André Ndobo
2017
Research internshipAudencia, Nantes

Background

Teaching, degrees and media

Eight university courses taught since 2019, a full academic path in psychology in Nantes, and media appearances.

University teachingUniversities and business schools, from Bachelor's to Master's level.

8 courses

2021
Survey methodology · 48 hUniversité Paris Nanterre · tutorials
2019 – 2020
Social psychology: aggression, attribution, intergroup relations · 36 hUniversité de Paris · tutorials
2019 – 2020
Academic guidance · 96 hUniversité de Paris · 1st-year Bachelor's in psychology
2021 – 2023
Gender equality: managing change · 21 hEM Normandie · Master's in HR (year 2)
2022 – 2025
Psychologists in the corporate world · 18 hUniversité de Poitiers · Master's in social psychology (year 2)
2022 – 2025
Violence in organisations · 15 hMontpellier Business School · Diversity certificate
2021 – 2022
Preventing violence: supporting the victim · 6 hUniversité Paris 8 · Master's in social psychology (year 2)
2024 – 2025
Preventing violence in organisations · 7 hUniversité de Lille · university diploma in Equality

DegreesFrom Bachelor's to PhD, and a Master's year 1 in progress at IRIS Sup'.

7 degrees

2026 – 2027
Master's in International Relations (year 1) · IRIS Sup'In progress · next step: Master's in Security and Defence
2017 – 2024
PhD in social psychologyNantes Université & University of Granada (Spain) · Read the thesis on HAL ↗
2018 – 2019
Doctoral research stayUniversity of Granada, Spain · Erasmus +
2017
Research Master's in psychologyNantes Université
2016
Professional Master's in work and organisational psychologyNantes Université
2015
Master's year 1 in social psychologyNantes Université
2012
Bachelor's degree in psychologyNantes Université

In the mediaPress, radio, op-eds and videos.

16 appearances

June 2021
Abandonnons le culte de la puissance masculineDièses
Op-edRead ↗
Abandonnons le culte de la puissance masculineTED
Video talkWatch ↗
Nov. 2021
Les serveuses au premier rang du harcèlement au travailSlate
Print pressRead ↗
Dec. 2023
Miss France : pourquoi les cheveux courts chez les femmes défrisent autant20 Minutes
InterviewRead ↗
Jan. 2021
La sidération, un mécanisme de défenseLe Journal Toulousain
Print pressRead ↗
Feb. 2021
« Science dating », 4 pitchs de recherche de 8 minutesLa Nuit blanche des chercheurs
Science communication—
InterviewsAFP, Ouest-France, Seriously
Print press—

See all appearances (16)

Nov. 2022
Curiocité : les violences sexistes et sexuelles à l'universitéRadio Prun'
Podcast, panelRead ↗
July 2022
#BalanceTonInfluenceur, ou quand la célébrité cache les violences sexistes et sexuelles20 Minutes
Print pressRead ↗
Jan. 2022
Le théâtre pour redonner la parole aux femmesPrint press
InterviewRead ↗
Apr. 2020
« De quel droit cette personne pouvait disposer de mon corps » : libérer la fête des violences sexistesMedium
ArticleRead ↗
Nov. 2018
Curiocité : les inégalités professionnelles, quel rôle du sexisme ?Radio Prun'
RadioRead ↗
Interview following rape reports at École PolytechniqueRCF
RadioRead ↗
2021
Comment mieux prévenir le sexisme et les violences de genreCRIAVS Centre-Val de Loire
WebinarRead ↗
2021
L'effet témoin, capsule vidéo de préventionNantes Université
VideoRead ↗
2020
Sexisme : comprendre, identifier et apprendre à le dénoncerDiversidays
WebinarRead ↗

Analysing the dynamics of violence and influence to inform decision-making.

What I am developing now

Master's in International Relations (year 1) · IRIS Sup'

Information warfare

Ecological radicalism: predicting the shift to violent action

What I bring

Behavioural science expertise

A researcher's profile

Versatility and project leadership

Areas of expertise

Contemporary conflicts and dynamics of violence

Ideological commitment, radicalisation and violent action

Influence and ideological conflict

Ten years in the field

Internal investigations and crisis managementEstablishing the facts, analysing group and power dynamics, restoring how the team works.

Behaviour and violent actionUnderstanding what leads to violence and supporting behaviour change.

Data analysis and applied researchDesigning surveys, analysing results, informing decisions.

Training, talks and consultingChanging attitudes and behaviour: executives, HR, managers and staff.

All assignments, by sectorCompanies, public sector, higher education, consulting and tech, non-profits.

Large companies and industry11 clients · 28 assignments

Public sector and local authorities14 clients · 20 assignments

Higher education and schools13 clients · 27 assignments

Consulting, tech and start-ups10 clients · 13 assignments

Health, non-profits and NGOs19 clients · 23 assignments

Research and publications

Publications and presentationsPhD thesis, book chapter, international conference papers.

Research projectsGranada, Nantes, Audencia.

Teaching, degrees and media

University teachingUniversities and business schools, from Bachelor's to Master's level.

DegreesFrom Bachelor's to PhD, and a Master's year 1 in progress at IRIS Sup'.

In the mediaPress, radio, op-eds and videos.

What I have founded

Purple Lab

Purple Politics

Brainrot Detox