CEPEL

Romain FARGIER

Presentation

With a multidisciplinary academic background and a wealth of experience in banking, consulting, management, communication, higher education, and digital technology, I am currently a lecturer and associate researcher at CEPEL. My work focuses on changes in electoral behavior and the diversification of participation and deliberation mechanisms. I also explore new processes of politicization and alternative forms of expression that often break away from the traditional deliberative model. In line with this, I study political communication and the influence of digital platforms on electoral dynamics and online activism. I am particularly interested in the professionalization of political content creators and alternative media strategies developed through social networks and opinion formats.

Training

  • PhD Political Science, University of Montpellier, CEPEL
  • Master's Degree in Comparative Public Policy Research, University of Montpellier
  • Master's Degree in Political Studies, Information Management, Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence
  • Master's Degree in Information and Communication Technology, University of Montpellier
  • Master 2 of the "Grande École" Program, Montpellier Business School
  • Master's Degree in Management Science, Montpellier Business School
  • Bachelor of International Business & Relations, La Trobe University, Melbourne

Selection of presentations, conferences, and publications

  • "The influence of the far right on contemporary political debates," JE, Université Lyon Lumière, April 2025
  • "Far-right YouTubers: the new political professionals," ICCA Campus Condorcet, 20 years of video creation, October 17, 2024.
  • "Costs and remuneration of political YouTubers," AFSP Congress, Grenoble, July 5, 2024.
  • (In progress) "Alternative Mediatization of Politics: Self-Media, Web TV, and Opinion Channels," book chapter, Cahiers Protagoras, ed. L'Harmattan.
  • "Politicization of young people on platforms," 8th Conference on Open Government and Digital Issues, University of Paris 1, November 2023.
  • "YouTubers: New Activists?" Annual Seminar for Doctoral Students and Young Researchers, University of Montpellier, July 2023.
  • "Social Media and Politics," UTT, Paul-Valéry University, November 2023.
  • "YouTube, a political space?" UTT, Paul-Valéry University, March 2021.
  • "YouTube as a political sphere," 7th International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Ifrane (Morocco), May 2021.

Selection of articles and media appearances

  • Robby Starbuck: the American activist who wants to bring down woke companies, Le Soir, September 5, 2024
  • Jordan Bardella on TikTok: "Beneath this amateur format, there are thoughtful elements that have been carefully crafted," Gurvan Kristanadjaja, Libération, June 21, 2024.
  • "Why internet stars try to avoid talking about politics," Sylvain Trinel and Salomé Ferraris, BFMTV, June 21, 2024.
  • Romain Fargier, researcher at CEPEL in Montpellier, Guillaume Roulland, France Bleu Hérault, June 19, 2024.
  • 2024 legislative elections: how can TikTok influence the elections? Agence France Presse, RTL, June 15, 2024.
  • TikTok, a political communication tool with an impact on elections, Agence France Presse, 20 Minutes, June 13, 2024.
  • Le Pen's Strategy of Normalization in France, Niklas Mönch, Deutschlandradio, June 4, 2024.
  • He is not just a rising politician. He is a celebrity, and he knows how to captivate his audience, Julie Schneider, Berlingske, March 21, 2024.
  • The far right is the clear winner: If it were up to TikTok and Facebook, they would win the election tomorrow, Julie Schneider, Berlingske, March 20, 2024.
  • Europe’s far right uses TikTok to win youth vote, Clothilde Goujard, Elisa Braun, and Mark Scott, Politico, March 17, 2024.
  • Far-right political influencers emerge from the shadows, France Culture, June 26, 2021.
  • How France’s new wave of extreme-right influencers led to Macron’s humiliating slap, The Telegraph, June 13, 2021.
  • Guest at 6:20 a.m.: Romain Fargier, France Inter Radio, June 8, 2021.

Skills

  • Research methodology: qualitative/quantitative analysis, semi-structured interviews, discourse analysis.
  • Multidisciplinary experience: economics, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, digital media, political science
  • Digital tools: SPSS, NVivo, Zotero.
  • Scientific communication: writing academic articles, popularization, media appearances.

Languages

  • French (native language)
  • English (C2)
  • Spanish (B2)