Jeanne Lazarus

The Jeanne Lazarus''s research looks at the construction of the relationship between citizens and monetary institutions in developed countries, in the context of the financialization of the economy and daily life.
Collective protection is dwindling, while individuals’ finances are increasingly risky and linked to the stock market. The sociology of money provides the over-arching framework for her work, and she aims to delineate a moral sociology of financialization and propose a sociology of the state in relation to financial markets, by reconstructing the institutional and political frameworks in which individuals make financial choices.

The Jeanne Lazarus''s Ph.D. dissertation dealt with the social consequences of mass bankarization: since 1966, when banks opened their doors to the general public, having a bank account has become an essential part of a normal social life.
By using a political and moral sociological approach, Jeanne Lazarus analyzed the trials that bank clients must undergo, the criteria of which are at times unclear and contradictory because of the underlying conflict at the root of French banking: these banks provide a monetary framework for the people they serve while also acting as marketplaces themselves.
This research led her to work in two directions: she delved into the effects of bankarization on the consumption and monetary practices of the impoverished, and she worked to broaden the theoretical scope of the sociology of money.

In the coming years, Jeanne Lazarus hope to extend the reach of this research with the goal of discerning the chain that links individual monetary practices to public policy and financial institution strategies.
First and foremost, she is curious about the way European and French public policies create a framework for a “responsible” financial market for individuals, in particular via financial education programs, directives, and regulations regarding the commercialization of exchange-traded products and credit. Secondly, she would like to take a bottom-up perspective on public economic socialization, by looking at the work of social workers who specialize in economic matters.

Teaching Activities

Co-direction at the EHESS of a seminar titled “Sociology of predictions and forecasts” with Arnaud Esquerre and Thomas Angletti (2011-2012).

Co-direction at the EHESS of a seminar titled “Ordinary economic calculations and banking interactions” with Laure Lacan, Gilles Laferté, and Ana Perrin-Heredia (2011-2012).

Assistant professor, in charge of preparing students to sit the accreditation exam for becoming a Social and Economic Sciences teacher at the high school level, University of Paris 8 (2009-2010).

Teaching assistant, sociology (2004-2009).

High school Social and Economic Sciences teacher (2002-2004).

Other Activities

Alternate member of the "Conseil Académique de l''Université de Sorbonne - Paris - Cité" (2015)

Member of the editorial board of the review Sociologie

Member of the editorial board of La vie des idées.

Education

Ph.D. in sociology from the EHESS, under the direction of Luc Boltanski (2009).

Master’s in sociology from the EHESS (2004).

Accreditation to teach Social and Economic Sciences at the high school level (agrégation) (2002).

Bachelor’s degree, Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po), Paris (2001).