Anne-Sophie Chaxel

Title: Associate Professor of Marketing

Years teaching at HEC: 5 years

Education: PhD, Cornell University (2012); Msc in Management, HEC Paris (2005)

List of MBA courses you currently teach: Branding, Marketing Management

I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when….

I was writing up my Msc Thesis at HEC Paris back in 2005. I loved doing it – and in parallel I thought my professors were living a pretty good life…. so I talked about it with my thesis supervisor; and from then it was the beginning of my academic life.

What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it?

My research focuses on judgment and decision-making, particularly on biases in choice. Currently, I am investigating misinformation, polarization, and trust in institutions. One of my recent projects reveals how repeated exposure to misinformation within echo chambers inflates individuals’ perceived knowledge. This artificial boost in subjective understanding fosters stronger convictions and increases the likelihood of accepting unsubstantiated information as true. Consequently, information that is merely plausible but unverified can be perceived as factual. This research underscores the importance of consuming balanced information, rather than partisan or one-sided sources, in combating false beliefs. By elucidating the cognitive processes underlying belief formation in the face of unsubstantiated information, my work contributes valuable knowledge for developing strategies to mitigate the impact of misinformation. Addressing these dynamics is essential for fostering a well-informed public and enhancing decision-making in today’s information-rich society.

If I weren’t a business school professor…

I’d be a pianist

What do you think makes you stand out as a professor?

I always come out of the classroom thinking about everything I could improve the next time around, so I rarely teach the exact same thing twice.

One word that describes my first time teaching:

Surprising.

Professor I most admire and why:

I’ll have to give this one to my former advisor at Cornell University, Jay Russo. I have learned a lot with him, of course, when it comes to research – but I was also a TA for him in his Judgment and Decision-Making course, and I saw how he was managing his classroom.

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students?

I love how they are able to relate my classroom content to their own individual prior experiences, either as consumers or as managers. I love those classroom discussions – they are value-add for everyone.

What is most challenging?

Finding time to interact with each student for large class sizes.

In one word, describe your favorite type of student:

Curious.

What are your hobbies?

Playing the piano, dancing, and watching Netflix.

How will you spend your summer?

Enjoying the Olympics in Paris and going to the South of France for a few weeks.

Favorite place(s) to vacation:

In France, anywhere in the Provence region. My husband is from Australia, so we also love going to the Blue Mountains near Sydney.

Favorite book(s):

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much?

The House of Dragons. I like the rich storytelling and the multifaceted characters.

What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why?

At the moment, I am listening to piano music. I like Khatia Buniatishvili and how she plays Schubert and Chopin.

If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this…

Serving as a dynamic hub that fosters robust connections between social organizations, research centers, companies, students, and professors. This environment would encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, drive innovative research, and create impactful partnerships that benefit both the academic community and society at large. I believe that business schools can become catalysts for social change, economic development, and intellectual growth, preparing future leaders to tackle complex global challenges with a holistic approach.

In my opinion, companies, and organizations today need to do a better job at…

Empathy.

I’m grateful for…

The health of my loved ones.