- work environment: Eating behaviours are not solely a matter of rational decision-making based on information: they are influenced by cognitive and behavioural biases, reflecting limited rationality. In response to this, public health policies oscillate between incentive-based approaches (nudges, social marketing) and educational approaches aimed at promoting autonomy.

This thesis (3rd on the Nexus) adopts the latter perspective by focusing on food education and psychosocial skills. Emotional skills, particularly the regulation of stress and emotions, play a key role in food choices. Developing these skills fosters awareness, enabling a better understanding of the determinants of choice and more autonomous decision-making.

Whilst their effectiveness is recognised in general health, their application in food education remains largely unexplored in France. This research aligns with national guidelines aimed at developing these skills among young people.

- main mission: The thesis will lead the student to question the role of emotional skills (emotion and stress regulation) in the food decision-making of young adults. This objective will be considered through the treatment of three secondary objectives: 

1. Evaluate the effect of emotional skills development workshops on students' ability to identify and question the determinants of their food choices;
2. Examine the impact of emotional regulation and stress on the integration of health and environmental determinants in food decisions;
3. Explore, based on the discourse of the study participants, how emotional skills influence the perception of autonomy and control in food choices.

- activities:  The proposed objectives will lead the candidate to:

1. Conduct a literature review on nutrition education, and in particular on eating behaviors in relation to emotional skills.
2. To consider and implement methods and tools for data collection and processing;
3. To conduct interviews with young adults;
4. Promote its research activities by offering interventions in places where scientific work is disseminated (in France and abroad) but also to raise awareness among different societal groups (e.g., “Fête de la science”);

The gross monthly salary is €2,300

Contract duration: 3 years

Contract date from 01/10/2026 to 30/09/2029