Professor of Geomorphology , University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes leaders representing various identities, voices and perspectives. List any identities, voices and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and anything else you feel comfortable sharing.

I grew up in SE France with parents who emigrated from Tunisia (one a mechanic, the other a secretary). I developed a passion for geology and the environment from an early age, thanks to regular trips to the beautiful nearby countryside and fantastic documentaries by the likes of Cousteau and the Krafft couple. I did my degree and Ph.D. in France, and moved to Scotland in 2005 for a postdoc. I haven’t left since. I am resolutely French but Scotland feels like home. My tastes (musical, culinary) are strongly influenced by my journey: Tunisia-France-UK, and any place I have been lucky to visit for long enough to experience a significant cultural connection, usually for work. My upbringing, career and travels have allowed me to interact with people from very diverse backgrounds, identities, nationalities, ethnicities and ways of life. I have mentored Ph.D. students from the UK, Nepal, Pakistan, China, India, Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia, the USA and countries in Europe, with an almost equal split male-female. I have collaborated with researchers from these countries. Each of these interactions has enriched and shaped me. I like to think that they allow me to bring a wide range of perspectives to AGU.

Volunteer experience that you feel relates to this position:

Honorary Treasurer, British Society for Geomorphology (2018-2021). Reviewer of articles and research proposals for a range of international organizations. Associate Editor (2016-2021) and Editor (2021-2025), Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. Outstanding Student Presentation Awards judge when attending AGU conferences. Reviewer for AGU Honor Nomination (2024). Publication workshop / editor talk: Chengdu University of Technology, China; Kazi Nazrul University, India; Regional Conference on Geomorphology, Turkey; British Society for Geomorphology, Edinburgh, UK; AGU fall meeting, New Orleans, USA.

Section presidents and presidents-elect serve as members of the AGU Council and lead their sections. The AGU Council is a diverse forum of perspectives that meets throughout the year to provide input to the AGU Board, staff, and other parts of the organization. Three communities within the Council - committee chairs, section leaders, and students and early career scientists - serve different roles in AGU and bring unique viewpoints to ongoing discussions.

This role aims to catalyze community and build AGU as envisioned by the strategic plan. This leadership position is a dual role: helping to advance AGU’s strategic plan as a member of Council; and leading your section. How would you support the Board, staff and other sections to achieve AGU’s vision, values, mission, and goals? How will you engage with members of your section to execute AGU’s strategic plan?

The most significant leadership role I have had in my career was acting as an Editor of an AGU journal (Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface). One of the most valuable lessons I have learned during my term was that creating an inclusive environment is essential to achieving all of the AGU strategic goals. Clear communication, education, transparency, honesty, accountability and respect are key to provide an environment that feels welcoming and safe to all. They limit the likelihood of conflict and, should a conflict arise, help solving it with an outcome that is constructive, solution-focused and feels fair to all. As Earth and Planetary Surface Processes (EPSP) president, I commit to being available to section members, listening, ensuring clear and timely communication, leading by example, and upholding and promoting the AGU values. Building on the work of my predecessors, I would contribute to the development of the AGU agenda and support its implementation. I would engage with activities within both the AGU Council and the EPSP section to educate, solve problems, and encourage and support initiatives that align with the AGU strategic plan. I aim to foster a welcoming and stimulating environment that promotes opportunities for scientific discovery, innovation and action, within my section but also across sections, as the current global challenges require multidisciplinary solutions. I would be honored to serve an organization with such a progressive strategic plan and values that I completely align with.