A geologist by training, with previous experience at La Rotonde and the communications department, she has been appointed project manager for the management and promotion of the School’s geology collections and heritage. She will take up her post on September 1st, 2023.
What will your new mission involve?
I will oversee the sorting, transfer, and conservation of the 40,000 specimens that make up this magnificent collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils. My mission will also involve promoting this treasure by highlighting around ten remarkable pieces within the Saint-Étienne premises as well as at our other sites. It is a major, timely, and multifaceted challenge that is particularly close to my heart. To achieve this, I will be supported by Bernard Guy, Marc Doumas, and Michel Pouzadoux, all of whom are experts in the field. My personal long-term goal is to use this geological heritage as a basis for questioning and debating major current and future issues. I am specifically thinking of questions related to rare mineral and energy resources, waste recycling, and the loss of biodiversity.
And regarding the School’s heritage component?
There are also many forgotten or under-exploited resources that deserve to be highlighted and promoted. I am thinking in particular of the historic building at 158 cours Fauriel, its elevation plans, and the names of prestigious professors and former directors that adorn its facade. I am also mindful of the patents, paintings, and photographs that serve as dormant witnesses to the rich past we share. I would like everyone to be able to see, discover, or rediscover them in the near future. They are an integral part of the history of Mines Saint-Étienne.
Will you also keep a foot in the DPI?
Yes, absolutely. I will divide my working time equally between my new role as project manager, mentioned earlier, and my current role within the Partnerships and Innovation Department (DPI). I will continue to handle administrative and financial support for startups and manage its contact database. I have been with this department since 2020.
It is a major, timely, and multifaceted challenge that is particularly close to my heart.
Ségolène Courant, Project Manager
