DM a scientist: Mines Paris – PSL mobilized to make science more accessible, with Sandrine Selosse

An innovative format to bring science and society closer together

Organized as part of the SCIENCE AZUR project, certified Science With and For Society (SAPS) by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Space, the “DM une scientifique” event was held on February 10, 2026, in the form of an online chat accessible to the general public and schoolchildren.

For several hours, nearly fifty women scientists (doctoral students, engineers, technicians, and researchers) from various disciplines answered questions from participants live. This format of exchange, inspired by social media, allowed for spontaneous and direct discussions about scientific professions, career paths, and current research topics.

At Mines Paris – PSL, this dynamic resulted in the involvement of several scientists with complementary profiles, engaged in both fundamental research and the analysis of major contemporary societal issues.

The aim of the initiative was to make science more accessible, to deconstruct certain representations still associated with scientific careers, and to encourage the emergence of vocations, particularly among young people.

A collective mobilization at Mines Paris – PSL around various disciplines

Among the scientists involved, Sandrine Selosse, director of research at the Center for Applied Mathematics (CMA) at Mines Paris – PSL in Sophia Antipolis, participated in discussions in the field of low-carbon technologies and public policy.

With a PhD in Science and Innovation Economics from GREDEG (CNRS – Université Côte d’Azur), she conducts research on international climate policies and energy transition, which she approaches through prospective models of the energy system. Her work also focuses on incentives for individual behavioral change, an essential lever for reducing energy consumption and supporting the societal transformations necessary to address climate challenges.

Her participation in “DM une scientifique” is part of an approach to knowledge sharing and scientific mediation, showcasing research closely linked to major contemporary challenges. Sandrine thus demonstrates her commitment to strengthening dialogue between science and society, promoting scientific careers, and disseminating knowledge to all audiences.

Alongside Sandrine Selosse, two other colleagues from Mines Paris – PSL took part in the “DM une scientifique” initiative.

Rachel Pierre-Léandre, a doctoral student at the Center for Applied Mathematics (CMA), conducts research in prospective modeling and structural inequalities. Her work focuses on energy transition trajectories in Martinique, analyzing how colonial and post-colonial legacies continue to shape economic, energy, and social inequalities. From a post-growth and decolonial perspective, her research aims to rethink energy-climate models so that social, distributive, and political goals guide the construction of transition trajectories.

Talking with young people forced me to simplify my profession in order to inspire them to explore these topics, and it also made me rethink what it means to be a researcher and our place in society. It was extremely rewarding to share my passion for research, even at the beginning of my career.

Rachel Pierre-Léandre

Séverine A.E. Boyer, a CNRS researcher at Mines Paris – PSL, conducts fundamental and applied research on the mechanisms of multi-scale polymorphogenesis in organic-based, functional hybrid structural materials under severe or complex environmental conditions. Her work, illustrated in particular by the phenomena of crystallization, solidification, gelation, and foaming, is part of the challenge of disruptive innovation, with applications in various sectors such as luxury and beauty, transportation, new energies, recycling, and bio-resources.

This diversity of research fields reflects Mines Paris – PSL’s commitment to open science, rooted in the environmental, social, and industrial challenges of the future.

This commitment echoes Mines Paris – PSL’s desire to actively contribute to a more open and inclusive science that is in tune with the challenges of our time.

What was the deciding factor in your choice to pursue research in economics and energy?

“My interest in these fields grew out of a desire to understand the mechanisms that drive choices and behaviors, whether it’s how knowledge is produced and mobilized, or the development of strategies in sectors undergoing profound change, such as energy transition and sustainability.”

Was there a key moment or encounter that influenced your career as a researcher?

“A key moment in my career was my arrival at the Center for Applied Mathematics in 2008 and my meeting with Nadia Maïzi. Beyond the encounter itself, it was above all her vision of energy issues that marked a turning point. That’s when I started working specifically in the field of energy transition, approaching it not only as a technical issue, but as a deeply systemic one, involving choices, trade-offs, and decisions at the interface between modeling and strategy. This step also confirmed my desire to pursue a long-term career in research.”

How does your work on energy transition and individual behavior resonate with the concerns expressed during discussions with the public?

“Discussions with the public, whether the general public or schoolchildren in awareness-raising initiatives on energy transition and climate change, often highlight the same observation: the difficulty of positioning oneself and taking action in the face of complex issues. They focus a lot on understanding these issues, the feeling of being able to act on an individual level, and the scope of public policy. These questions resonate directly with my work, which aims to shed light on the factors that guide decisions and to offer a long-term perspective on the changes in our societies in the face of the challenges of energy transition.”

Can you share your experience of participating in “DM une scientifique” with us? How does the chat format change the relationship between scientists and citizens?

“Last year, I took part in the ”DM une scientifique” initiative, which reached an audience of young and old alike, curious to understand our fields of research but also how we do our jobs. Much of the discussion also focused on career paths and what motivates people to pursue a career in science and research. I found the chat format particularly interesting because it creates a different dynamic that is more direct and straightforward. The audience also dares to ask more personal questions than they would in face-to-face exchanges, such as at a science fair, for example.”

Why is it important to raise the profile of women scientists in disciplines such as economics, technology, and modeling?

“Raising the profile of women scientists in scientific and technical disciplines is essential, first because these fields are still largely perceived as male-dominated and gender diversity remains limited. Visibility helps to show the diversity of possible career paths and makes these professions more concrete and accessible, especially for young people. Discussions with the public, and in particular with schoolchildren, show how closely career choices are linked to role models with whom they can identify. Showcasing women scientists broadens the range of possibilities, but also serves as a reminder that these disciplines play a central role in understanding and supporting the major transformations taking place in our societies.”

What levers do you think are essential today to promote greater gender diversity in science?

“Several complementary levers can be activated to promote greater gender diversity in science. The first concerns career guidance from an early age, in a context where self-censorship is still present. We need to broaden the range of possibilities and show the diversity of scientific careers and professions. The visibility of women scientists is an essential lever, offering role models with whom young women can identify, changing perceptions, and facilitating projection into disciplines where diversity remains limited. Discussions with the public, and in particular with school audiences, show how important these role models are in career choices and in the confidence to pursue scientific careers. Increasing opportunities for dialogue between science and society helps to make scientific professions more visible, more concrete, and more accessible. Action can also be taken in professional environments themselves, for example through mentoring, which provides support for diverse career paths and professional trajectories. This is part of a broader effort to create more inclusive work environments.”