Davide Faranda, CNRS researcher at LSCE, who has been elected president of the EGU’s Nonlinear Processes division, presents the European Geosciences Union, its missions and what he would like to implement during his term of office.
Davide, congratulations on your election as President of the EGU Nonlinear Processes Division! First of all, could you tell us what the EGU is and what its objectives are?
Davide Faranda : Thank you very much! The EGU, or European Geosciences Union, is one of the world’s largest scientific organizations dedicated to geoscience. Founded in 2002, the EGU brings together more than 20,000 members from over 100 countries. Its aim is to promote scientific research in the geosciences, by facilitating communication between researchers, organizing international conferences, and contributing to the dissemination of knowledge within the scientific community and beyond. The “Nonlinear Processes” division focuses specifically on nonlinear dynamic phenomena, which are essential for understanding complex systems in the geosciences, such as climate or atmospheric systems.
What exactly is the role of the president of this division?
As President, my role is to guide the division by highlighting relevant research in the field of nonlinear processes, fostering exchanges between researchers, and supporting the creation of new collaborations. I also oversee the organization of sessions at the annual EGU conferences, where we present the latest scientific advances. Another important responsibility is to help steer the division’s future projects, in line with the major issues in non-linear geosciences, notably the impact of climate change.
You mentioned projects for the future of the division. What missions would you like to focus on during your mandate?
Yes, indeed, there are several areas I’d like to develop during my term of office. First of all, one of my major objectives is to further promote the inclusion of young researchers in the division’s discussions and projects. It’s crucial to offer young talent opportunities to make a name for themselves and get involved in international projects. This involves organizing dedicated sessions and mentoring, as well as facilitating collaborations between experienced and younger researchers.
I also wish to promote diversity, not only in terms of gender and geography, but also in terms of scientific backgrounds. The non-linear geosciences benefit greatly from a variety of perspectives, and it is by multiplying these viewpoints that we can advance our understanding of these complex phenomena.
Another focus that is particularly important to me is addressing the challenges of artificial intelligence in the geosciences. AI can be a powerful tool for analyzing large quantities of data, but it also poses methodological and ethical challenges. I want the division to be committed to both exploiting these technologies while developing rigorous frameworks for using them responsibly.
Finally, I think it’s important to redirect the division to focus more on methodological approaches common to the geosciences as a whole. The methods we develop in the field of nonlinear processes are often applicable to other subfields, such as geophysics or atmospheric sciences. I therefore wish to encourage a more interdisciplinary approach, so that our research benefits the entire geosciences scientific community.
It’s an ambitious program! You also have expertise in climatology. Can you tell us more about your research areas?
Yes, my research focuses on climate extremes and how atmospheric circulation phenomena can be attributed to climate change. I use tools from statistical physics and dynamical systems theory to better understand how extreme events, such as heat waves or storms, occur and change under the influence of human activity. My aim is to improve methods for attributing extreme weather events to global warming, while integrating artificial intelligence approaches to refine forecasts and understand these complex phenomena.
We wish you the very best in your new role at the EGU.