Roman VAREILLES
Academic Background
2023–2026– Scientific Coordinator of the Montpellier Discrimination Observatory, Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier.
2023 – PhD Political Science, CEPEL Research Lab, University of Montpellier.
2016 – Master’s 2 in Research, Comparative Politics and Public Policy, University of Montpellier.
2014 – Bachelor’s degree in political science, University of Montpellier.
2013 – Bachelor’s degree in sociology, Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier.
2013 – Bachelor’s degree in History, International Relations, and Social Sciences, Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier
Thesis
Fragmented Anti-Racism: Postcolonial Movements Against Racism in France.
Edited byEric Savarese.
This dissertation examines the strategic divergences that run through postcolonial mobilizations against racism. From the perspective of the sociology of collective action, it seeks to study the ways in which colonial and racial references are used as means of mobilization in the fight against racism in France. By comparing the discourses and repertoires of action employed by three active groups from 1995 to 2022, this study—based on field observation, biographical interviews, and archival research—examines the polarization of postcolonial anti-racism between two archetypal models of intervention: theory and grassroots action. Drawing on the concept of space, we observe that an orientation toward a post/decolonial framework influences the choice of modes of action and the composition of activist membership. These internal dynamics result in an evolution of the relationships between the anti-racist sphere and the political arena and give rise to attempts to transcend the boundaries that separate them.
Current Research Projects
2026 – “Poverty-Related Discrimination and Empowerment.” Led by the Montpellier Discrimination Observatory and DEETS Occitanie, this project aims to examine the concept of poverty-related discrimination and analyze the effects of three public policy initiatives on the life trajectories of beneficiaries (“Zero Non-Take-Up Territory,” “Zero Long-Term Unemployed Territory,” and “Common Food Fund”).
2026–2027 – “Social Intervention and Single-Parent Families.” As part of the research program “Transformations in Social Intervention and Social Work,” supported by DREES, INTS-DGCS, and CNAF, this project focuses on the discrimination faced by single-parent families and the tensions between the principle of universality and adaptation to the needs of single-parent families. It is being conducted in collaboration with Auréline Cardoso, who holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, and Matthijs Gardenier, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Montpellier Paul-Valéry.
Publications
“The Algerian War, the Left, and Anti-Racism: The Drivers of the Politicization of Colonial Memories,” *Cahiers Mémoire et politique*, No. 10, 2026 (forthcoming).
“Entrepreneurship in Montpellier’s Priority Neighborhoods: Between Barriers to Entry and Discrimination,” research report, Montpellier Discrimination Observatory, November 2025.
“Producing Localized Data to Support a Local Government: A Look at the Work of the Montpellier Discrimination Observatory,” Matthijs Gardenier and Roman Vareilles, *Les cahiers de la Lutte Contre les Discriminations*, 22, March 2026 (forthcoming).
“Local Anti-Discrimination Monitoring Centers: A Joint Interview with Nantes Métropole and Montpellier,” Gardernier, Matthijs; Rigollier, Philippe; Vareilles, Roman, *Les Cahiers de la Lutte Contre les Discriminations*, 20(1), 97–102, 2025.
“Understanding the Challenges Women in Priority Neighborhoods in Montpellier Face in Accessing Employment: Invisible Work, Mobility, and Discrimination,” research report, Montpellier Discrimination Observatory, September 2024.
“Postcolonialism as a Means of Mobilization: Strategic Divergences in the Anti-Racism Movement in France,” *Cultures & Conflits*, vol. 127–128, no. 1–2, 2023, pp. 39–58.
“Uses and Effects of Colonial References in the Fight Against Racism,” Open Library of Humanities6(2), 3, 2020.
“On the Social Foundations of Algerian Memories: The Negative Case of the Progressive Pieds-Noirs,” Cahiers Mémoire et Politique, 05, 2018.
“Support for Algerian Independence Among the Pied-Noirs,” Proceedings of the Doctoral Symposium, Montpellier Doctoral School of Law and Political Science, 2018.
Communications
“Producing Localized Data to Support a Local Government,” Symposium on Combating Discrimination, University of Poitiers, November 2025.
“Collective Responses to the Riots in the La Mosson Neighborhood,” International Symposium “When Neighborhoods Protest,” ENS Paris, November 2025.
“The Unspeakable Nature of Domestic Violence in the Context of Majority-Minority Relations,” “Social Work, Building Connections” Conference, Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier, November 2025.
“The Work of Women in Working-Class Neighborhoods: The Interplay of Social Relations of Class, Gender, and Race. Male Domination, Territorial Exclusion, and Racial Discrimination,” Conference of the French Sociological Association, Jean Jaurès University, Toulouse, July 2025.
“The Role of Entrepreneurship in Priority Neighborhoods,” a symposium organized by the Montpellier Discrimination Observatory, Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier, June 2025.
“Understanding Inequalities in Access to Employment in Montpellier’s Priority Neighborhoods: Invisible Work, Discrimination, and Barriers to Mobility,” Seminar organized by the Montpellier Discrimination Observatory, Paul Valéry University of Montpellier, June 25–26, 2024.
“Working-Class Neighborhoods and Immigration: Interrelated Causes,” Causimmi seminar, Condorcet Campus, May 24, 2024.
“Act 36: The Yellow Vests March for Adama. Conditions and Effects of an Unlikely Coalition,” National Conference of the French Political Science Association, Sciences Po Lille, July 6, 2022.
“Anti-Racist Spaces, Strategic Divergences, and Internal Competition: The Role of Postcolonial Theory in the Fight Against Racism in France,” Doctoral Workshop on “Territorial Inequalities and Discrimination,” Sciences Po Paris, June 16, 2022.
“Anti-Racism, Working-Class Neighborhoods, and Labeling: Movements on the Front Lines—What Strategies Can Be Used to Combat Islamophobia?” Symposium on “Islams and Immigration Struggles,” Sciences Po Toulouse, January 11, 2021.
“Invoking or Challenging Citizenship: Strategic Divergences in Anti-Racism and Struggles in Working-Class Neighborhoods,” Symposium “Renegotiating Citizenship? Immigration and Political Mobilizations for Legality,” Cepel Research Laboratory, University of Montpellier, May 16, 2019.
“Reform of Racial Diversity in Schools and Racial Discrimination: From a Consensus-Based Analysis to a Contentious Local Implementation,” Manon Ratel and Roman Vareilles, Conference on “Racism and Racial Discrimination: From Elementary School to University,” Paris Diderot University, September 27–29, 2018.
“Racism Through a Postcolonial Lens: The Sociogenesis of the Anti-Racist Framework in France,” Conference on “Media Representations of Islam and Muslims,” University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, June 19–20, 2018.