Awardees

• Project title: Dependence structures and general hazard models
• Host team: F. Javier Rubio's team, Department of Statistical Science, University College London.
• Mobility dates: June 10 to 14, 2024
• Key words: Survival analysis, general hazard model, copulas, net survival
• Public summary:

The aim of this mobility was to set up a collaboration with F.J. Rubio in the field of relative survival analysis methods, centered around multivariate survival analysis methods, dependency structures, "general hazard" type regression models and the implementation of these methods in Julia.
These few days of intensive collaboration enabled the submission of a joint popularization article, as well as the launch of joint, larger-scale research avenues on which we are still working. Joint software developments have also been launched within the JuliaSurv organization.

• Thesis title: Profiles, practices and health of regular cannabis users in the French context
• Thesis supervisor: Perrine Roux (SESSTIM)
• Doctoral school: ED 62
• Date of 4th year: January 2024 to January 2025
• Keywords: Cannabis use; consumption pathways; self-medication; Harm Reduction; mixed methods
• Summary for the general public:

Despite prohibitive policies, the prevalence of cannabis use has continued to rise in the French population over recent decades. Moreover, modes of use and available products continue to diversify, with persistent uncertainty as to the quality of products in circulation. Against a backdrop of controversy surrounding cannabis (for example, with regard to its medical use or legal status), it is necessary to propose new public health strategies tailored to the needs of the people concerned, particularly in order to reduce the risks associated with cannabis. The overall aim of this thesis work is to describe and understand the use practices of regular cannabis users in France, as well as their perceptions of the benefits and risks associated with these practices.

This thesis work is based on the cross-referencing of data from three questionnaire surveys, conducted via the Internet in collaboration with community health associations, and data from 21 interviews with regular cannabis users aged between 18 and 68. A number of analyses of the questionnaire responses enabled us to describe the participants' profiles and motivations with regard to therapeutic uses (outside medical recommendation), and also with regard to product quality management. The analysis of interview participants' accounts enables us to describe the strategies they put in place to manage their consumption in their daily lives.

The results reveal profiles of "expert" users, socially integrated, who claim "responsible" and/or "therapeutic" uses. Indeed, many cannabis users voluntarily adapt their practices in order to maintain, or even improve, their physical, mental and social functioning in their daily lives. The strategies put in place take into account the context of consumption, the form and quality of the products, the source of supply, and the modes of consumption. Finally, these strategies are not implemented in the same way according to age, gender, level of education, state of health and material living conditions.

Finally, these results underline the possibility of non-problematic trajectories of cannabis use, or even positive trajectories. Public health policies and interventions could thus aim to strengthen the skills, knowledge and autonomy of people who use cannabis. They could also enable safer supply practices, notably by offering alternatives to the illegal market or by controlling the quality of products on the cannabis market.

• Thesis title: The human embryo: analysis of a socio-representational phenomenon
• Thesis supervisor: Lionel Dany (LPS) ; Thémis Apostolidis (co-supervisor, LPS)
• Doctoral school: ED 356
• Key words: Human embryo; biotechnologies; procreation; social representations

• Summary for the general public:

  An interview survey was carried out between 2023 and 2024 to investigate the impact of personal involvement in ways of thinking about the status of the human embryo and their links with processes of (de)legitimization of medical biotechnologies (PMA, human embryo research). The study involved 22 participants, including patients undergoing MAP, healthcare professionals (gynecologists and genetic counselors), and so-called "child-free" individuals. These groups were chosen for their level of involvement with the embryo: for example, for MAP patients, the embryo is technically present at every stage of the process, right up to the annual decision to preserve, destroy or donate the remaining embryos that are frozen following in vitro fertilization. Professionals are technically involved in the procreation process, have access to patients' views and are also subject to a legal framework governing their practice. Those who are "child-free", having no direct relationship with the embryo, could evoke ideological or societal aspects.

  Participants first reacted to images of embryos, one of which showed an umbilical cord and an amniotic sac. This task enabled us to observe the influence of these visual elements on the perception of the embryo: the image with a cord is often interpreted as the "success" of a PMA journey, while the other is perceived as a failure or a symbolic representation of death. Participants perceive the variability of embryo status according to context: for example, distinguishing between desired and terminated pregnancies, or recognizing the influence of religious socialization. As for biotechnologies, PMA patients are ambivalent about donating unused embryos to Research, some considering them almost like their own children. Professionals, on the other hand, emphasize the therapeutic benefits of Research, such as improved fertility treatments. Child-free" people, on the other hand, can sometimes be more critical of reproductive biotechnologies. They may see the use of these techniques as symptomatic of a consumer society where individual desires are prioritized, as is the desire for a child.

  The results show that the level of involvement and life paths influence the representations of the embryo. Experiences of MAP and healthcare work make the embryo an emotionally and socially charged object, which also implies a questioning of procreative norms. The status of the embryo is perceived at the crossroads of morality, science and the law, with a diversity of points of view that makes it complex to build a consensus, which should nevertheless be questioned.

• Project title: NASH Itinerary for early Detection and care: a medico-economic Assessment (NASHIDA)
• ISSPAM member project leaders: Patrizia Carrieri and Patricia Marino (SESSTIM)
• ISSPAM partner: Jeffrey Lazarus, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
• Post-doctoral students : Davide Fortin

• Title of event: Chaire Autumn University: Involving people affected by cancer in cancer research
• Event dates: November 17 to 19, 2023

• Project title: OCAPI - Obesity and social contagion in adolescents: a pilot study
• Project leaders: Patrizia Carrieri (SESSTIM), Maxime Luiggi (SESSTIM) and Thémis Apostolidis (LPS)
• Project dates: September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024
• Key words: Overweight; obesity; adolescents; socio-economic status; social contagion
• Summary for the general public: (coming soon)

• Project title: RAMRES - Medical Racism and Social Representations
• Project leaders: Bouchra Zouhri (LPS) and Gabriel Girard (SESSTIM)
• Project dates: May 2023 to May 2024
• Key words: Medical racism; social inequality in health; theory of social representations; theory of social identity.
  identity theory
• Summary for the general public: (coming soon)

• Project title: HEPRESCA - Documenting the implementation of a housing model and its socio-sanitary effects on women and children: "L'Auberge marseillaise".
• Project leaders: Perrine Roux (SESSTIM), Fabienne Orsi (LPED) and Thémis Apostolidis (LPS)
• Project dates: May 2023 to May 2024
• Key words: precariousness; housing; women; cooperation; public health
• Summary for the general public: (coming soon)

• Title of the thematic school, organizing structure : 90ème Congrès de l'Acfas | Colloque 426 - Smart drugs, microdosing, nootropics : " devenir performant " dans les milieux de travail aujourd'hui
• Date: May 9, 2023

• Project title: Sociological study of the effects of a low-risk drug consumption room on local residents: FERRY B in the city
• Project leaders: Marie Dos Santos (SESSTIM) and Stéphane Akoka (ASUD Mars Say Yeah)
• Project dates: January 2024 to June 2024