Aurélien Colson

Aurélien Colson, PhD, MBA, is a Professor of Political Science at ESSEC Business School, ranked #3 globally for its Master of Science in Management (FT International Ranking 2015). He directs the Institute for Research and Education on Negotiation (IRENE) with campuses in Paris, Singapore, and Brussels, which is one of ESSEC’s eight Centers of Excellence. His acclaimed research on negotiation has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and he is the author or co-author of several books, including the best-seller The First Move (Wiley), which has been translated into 10 languages. Colson also co-directs the journal Négociations and has led negotiation missions across 40 countries for corporations and international organizations. He has contributed to post-conflict mediation and has twice been elected to the Steering Committee of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (Brussels). Colson integrates cutting-edge research with practical experience in the negotiation training programs he designs and delivers worldwide. Previously, he served as an advisor to the French Prime Minister (1998-2002). He currently resides in Paris, where he enjoys cooking for his friends.