Dr Fabienne Dietrich

Can you tell us about your mission at the DGE?

I work in the Soil Section of the Directorate General for the Environment (DGE). Each canton is responsible for protecting a certain amount of land suitable for agriculture. In the case of the canton of Vaud, this means guaranteeing 75,000 hectares of this crop rotation area, meeting strict quality criteria: gentle slope, minimum surface area of 1 ha, climate suited to agriculture, unpolluted soil and useful depth of at least 50 cm.

My role is to coordinate pilot soil mapping projects. In order to identify new arable areas that meet these criteria, we need to determine in which areas to carry out further investigations. We also need to establish how to exploit existing data. I've been delighted to meet up with former colleagues on the team, such as Magali Matteodo, another IDYST PhD student.

After completing your thesis in Cameroon, what motivates you in your current work?

What I particularly enjoy is the contact I have with a multitude of players: municipalities of all sizes, farmers, engineers from consultancy firms and scientific consultants.

What's more, I'm learning to get to know the soil around me. I'm familiar with the soils of Cameroon, but I didn't know much about those of the canton of Vaud! Looking into these local issues and learning about soils in Switzerland is a great source of motivation for me.

My mission makes a lot of sense to me. As a geologist, I of course know that soil has multiple functions, which go far beyond “food production”. Mapping soils enables us to understand them better and therefore protect them more effectively, and that's what motivates me the most.

Are there any particular difficulties associated with your role?

Navigating the complex administrative and validation processes is a challenge. My job is a technical link in this huge chain. Nevertheless, it's a very rewarding experience, and I appreciate the opportunity.

Why did you choose to do a PhD in pedology at the FGSE?

In geology, I was fascinated by the great cycles of the elements. The soil, as the interface between several systems – the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere and the geosphere – plays a predominant role in these cycles. It is the scene of many phenomena. I chose pedology out of an interest in chemistry and biology, which are just as necessary as geology for understanding them.

Apart from your expertise in soils, what other skills do you draw on today?

My thesis enabled me to develop many skills that I use on a daily basis. Research implies knowing how to synthesize problems and analyse situations, while constantly learning about advances in science. Working in Africa and with other partner universities has also taught me to adapt to very different systems and to interact with people from different backgrounds.

Organizing fieldwork also means learning to manage complex logistics. You have to plan samples, bring them back and store them. Such skills are of course useful in project coordination.

After your thesis, what was your professional transition like?

I left the academic field immediately after my doctorate, accepting a position as coordinator of the ELSTE Master's program, a joint venture between UNIGE and UNIL. Although still within an academic framework, my missions had nothing to do with research.

I realized just how much I had missed working on soils when I took up a position at the DGE! But the cross-disciplinary skills I acquired while coordinating the Master's program helped me a lot in my missions at the DGE. For example, my ability to negotiate without being confrontational with a wide variety of stakeholders.

Other experiences have enriched me: I'm a member of the executive in my commune and this commitment helps me to better understand the constraints faced by local administrations. This is invaluable in my dealings with local authorities.

How do you respond to those who feel that a doctorate is irrelevant to a non-academic career?

I see a PhD as much more than just another diploma after a Master's degree. This professional experience enables us to acquire a wide range of skills, while working in a field we're passionate about. These skills go beyond the technical and scientific.

After the thesis, I think it's essential to reflect before committing oneself to research. An academic career requires concessions and has consequences for private life. You have to be aware of this and understand that there are many other career paths. I loved my thesis, but I have many other interests, I'm involved in my local community and I'm there for my family. So it was clear that I wouldn't be going abroad for a postdoc. I made conscious and informed choices, which enabled me to seize some great opportunities.