Xavier Crettiez

Xavier Crettiez is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Sciences Po Saint-Germain en Laye and the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), where he is affiliated with the Faculty of Law and Political Science and the Department of Political Science. He serves as Deputy Director of Sciences Po Saint-Germain en Laye (since 2014) and Head of M1 Political Science. Crettiez is also a researcher at CESDIP (Center for Sociological Research on Law and Penal Institutions), a CNRS-affiliated laboratory, and a member of the Observatory of Political Radicalism at the Jean Jaures Foundation.

His research focuses on political violence, terrorism, nationalism, and ethno-nationalism in Europe, with particular expertise in Corsican and Basque nationalist movements. Crettiez has developed a processual sociology approach to understanding radicalization and violent engagement, moving beyond simplistic explanations of terrorism. His work examines how symbolic violence, political iconography, and emotional dimensions shape political conflict and identity-based movements.

Crettiez's publications reveal a consistent exploration of political violence across multiple contexts and time periods. His research spans theoretical examinations of violence, comparative studies of nationalist movements, analyses of terrorism and radicalization processes, and investigations into political iconography as a form of contestation. Recent work has increasingly focused on jihadist radicalization, showing his ability to adapt his analytical framework to emerging security challenges while maintaining his core theoretical interests in the processes of political violence.

• Elected member of the CNU 04 (2009-2011)

Crettiez has supervised numerous graduate students through the Conflict Analysis Master's program, which he co-directs. His teaching spans from introductory political science courses to specialized seminars on political violence. He has established international research collaborations and has been instrumental in developing partnerships with institutions in Slovakia. Crettiez's work bridges academic research and practical security concerns, evidenced by his research contracts with French security institutions like IHESI and his participation in policy-relevant forums.

As both an academic and administrator (having served as Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science at UVSQ and President of the L1-P1 law/political science deliberation jury for 400 students), Crettiez has significantly shaped political science education in France. His research on political iconography led to the curation of the traveling exhibition "Murs rebelles" (Rebellious Walls), showcasing contestatory iconography from Corsica, the Basque Country, and Northern Ireland.