Paleontology is the science that studies living beings and organisms that existed during geological times, based on the observation of fossils, the remains of ancient plants and animals preserved in rock. As a paleontologist, you play the role of a detective of the past, discovering and analyzing these fossils to reconstruct the evolution of life on Earth.
Virginie Bouetel is a scientist passionate about science communication and paleontology. She tells us about her journey and her passions in this wonderful interview!
My name is Virginie Bouetel, I live in Anglet, in the southwest of France. I hold a PhD in sciences, more specifically in paleontology, which I defended in 2005 at the MNHN (National Museum of Natural History, Paris). My thesis work focused on the anatomical evolution of baleen whales (Mysticetes) from 25 million years ago (Miocene) to the present day.
In the field of communication, I also obtained a master’s degree in communication from CELSA, in Paris, in 2012.
I am a teacher, I give private lessons in English, French, and science. I am also a part-time professor at the local university (UPPA, Anglet) where I teach science communication and teaching methods to undergraduate students, as well as communication and project management to master’s students. I regularly translate scientific articles from English to French to share scientific news with my non-English speaking network. I enjoy organizing and leading coastal discovery tours with children and adults.
I don’t work for any particular organization.
My Mission
I was fortunate to grow up in Africa, thanks to my mother, who was originally a nurse, but made the effort to be my teacher when there was no French school in the countries where we lived. She made sure my education was as complete as possible in French, English, mathematics, science, and history-geography. My father was a doctor in the army. They taught me respect, curiosity, and I owe them for the good person I have become.
I would like all children to benefit from the same education in order to be able to carefully analyze what is happening on our planet today and become future adults capable of thinking and acting with respect for their surroundings.
I have therefore had the pleasure of teaching several students each year for some time now. I am a private tutor at home, mainly for middle school students but also for high school students. In parallel, as mentioned before, I teach about 60 hours per year at the local university of science and technology. I have always loved learning, out of curiosity, and thanks to often passionate teachers. It’s very recently that I really became aware of my teaching “talent” to the point of wanting to make it my full-time job today. It was my friends and colleagues, while I was working at the Museum in Paris, who asked me to help their children with French, English, and science. I was 30 years old at the time. Eager to help these young people, I accepted, and that’s how it all began.
A Day with Me
Some days, of course, I don’t teach. When necessary, I work as an administrative and financial secretary. This type of work is rather for sustenance. I’m not always thrilled about this type of employment, but one needs to eat and pay the bills, so you have to know how to adapt to life’s demands.
I live in a region where science and associated knowledge don’t seem to be a priority in the eyes of public authorities. It is therefore difficult to find a stable, full-time position in the field. Consequently, one must demonstrate the ability to adapt to local situations and sometimes accept mediocre jobs to earn a living and ensure survival.
My Professional Journey
A year after completing my doctorate in 2006, one of my colleagues at the MNHN contacted me. He was looking for a competent and motivated person to manage the European scientific program SYNTHESYS. This program, which brings together more than a dozen natural history museums in Europe, helps European researchers visit and study the collections housed in these museums for their research work. Speaking fluent English and possessing the required skills and professional network at the MNHN, I gladly accepted the position.
My main tasks were to connect local researchers and technicians with other European researchers and technicians to create collaborations and help them work together: mailing lists, informing and advising external researchers and students about the program, assisting with application writing, organizing the bi-annual jury to select applications for funding. Throughout the year, I organized visits to the MNHN for researchers whose applications had been selected. Eager to make the program more popular among museum staff, I took the initiative to organize mini SYNTHESYS meetings, which took place after office hours in a bar near the museum. Anyone could participate and come to talk about their research or work at the museum.
This event brought together many people, up to 50 sometimes, and led to interesting and often unexpected collaborations.
The 10 years during which I managed several scientific projects, each as exciting as the next, were a wonderful source of fulfillment and fascinating encounters.
What I Would Say to Little Virginie
I would probably encourage her to take the entrance exam to become a teacher around the age of 30. Teaching requires a certain maturity. My conception of teaching and my feelings about this work have changed over time. At 20-25 years old, I certainly wouldn’t have appreciated this profession as I do today, approaching 50. It’s sometimes a real challenge. You also have to know how to accept that you can’t bring all students to the expected level. But teaching remains a fascinating activity, often very rewarding. Teaching is about imparting knowledge, of course, but also continuing to learn. If you’re not ready to question yourself, don’t become a teacher!
One thing I’ve learned as a guide or science mediator in various museums and science discovery centers, and through teaching, is that not knowing isn’t dramatic. Socrates or another eminent philosopher once said something interesting: “He who knows what he knows, knows that he doesn’t know everything”. This is one of my favorite quotes. It means we have a lot to learn. And being a scientist has taught me that what we think we’re certain of today might not be as perfectly true tomorrow. Being a scientist has made me humble. And I believe that’s extremely important for teaching.
Moreover, I remember that moment when I had almost finished writing my doctoral thesis, and I was looking for quotes or other phrases to add to my thesis chapter headers. And one of them appealed to me: it’s taken from the TV series CSI – Crime Scene Investigation – Las Vegas, 2000:
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- Gil Grissom: “You have doubts”
- Sara Sidle: “Yes”
- Gil Grissom: “That’s the best thing that can happen to a scientist”.
This dialogue illustrates the conclusion of my doctoral thesis and I couldn’t have found anything better.
Growing Up in Africa
I had the privilege of growing up “abroad, in North African countries. I” was often the only white child and my parents were therefore the only white adults in the places where we lived. Diseases like polio and leprosy are debilitating conditions that many people, often children, suffer from. I learned to respect these people like anyone else.
I teach following this life principle: respect is the key to community living. But that means respecting others as much as you respect yourself. You respect me, I respect you. And you shouldn’t expect to be respected if we don’t respect others.
My Achievements
What an interesting and difficult question! I think I should be proud of having benefited from the kind and encouraging education that my parents provided me.
Thanks to them, I learned English, which has always been one of my main talents or advantages. Beyond the ability to speak English, it also allowed me to discover an extremely rich multiculture.
The “education I received also made me the kind and understanding person I am. And looking at the world as it has become, especially after Covid, and even if I have to admit that I suffer from the” selfishness that has developed in humans, I remain convinced that kindness, closely linked to respect, is an essential element if we want to work and evolve positively, today more than ever.
But these are not really personal achievements.
To be honest, I’m extremely proud of having done my PhD. It was sometimes difficult, but also delightful, and I came out of it built in a way I didn’t expect. It’s a very personal journey and if I had to do it again, or even if I had to do another thesis, I would sign up immediately.
I’m proud of all the pupils and students I’ve supported and accompanied in private lessons, at school or at university. They achieved their goals. They made me the proudest person in the world every time! I hope there will be many more in the future.
Outside of Work
Apart from my multiple occupations, I like reading books and comics, in English and French. I’m fond of stories with a bit of magic, I really like thrillers and other detective stories, but also dystopian books like those by Asimov, Orwell or Huxley. I regularly read books or articles about famous scientists or people who have brought something important to society, like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Einstein, Mary Anning… Stephen Jay Gould’s books are always fascinating.
I’m a fan of cross-stitch and knitting. I make tablecloths, blankets, cushions…
I like suspense movies and certain TV series featuring crimes and scientists. I’m a fan of the “Big Bang Theory”.
On vacation, I love going to Bali to snorkel in the lagoon. Just give me some flippers, a mask, and a snorkel, and I’ll be the happiest fish in the world.
Listening to music is also important, mainly soft music like bossa nova and classical music. But I couldn’t live without a bit of rock ‘n’ roll and jazz.
When I don’t have professional commitments, I enjoy participating in associative activities based on sharing scientific knowledge.
Finally, spending time with my partner and family is, of course, essential for me.
Balancing work and personal life
So, when I don’t have a permanent job and I stay at home, my personal life suffers. To avoid going in circles, I always find a way to keep myself busy at home: reading, translating an article, observing our aquarium to see what’s happening, watching a documentary, preparing lessons. My brain is hungry. So, yes, I am a workaholic!
Advice
I would advise anyone interested in “nature” to stay curious and open-minded. With the Internet, access to knowledge, scientists, institutions, and information is facilitated.
As Forest Gump said, “”Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”” Life is a long path along which we collect all kinds of objects, knowledge, and experiences. You never know if and when it might prove useful. But one way or another, everything you learn about “nature” will be useful in your daily life, in your work, or even at a party.
For example, I can’t count how many times, during an evening with friends, someone noticed an unexpected animal or plant. They would call me to identify this discovery, and my friends were delighted to see that we were living in the midst of “nature”. I remember, recently, a couple of friends came for a light dinner at our house with their 2-year-old child. The temperature that evening was rather warm, and suddenly, a cockchafer landed on the floor. My friend was disgusted by the sight of this insect and almost transmitted her fear to her child. But I jumped from my seat and gently picked up the cockchafer in my hand. Our friends were amazed… I invited the child to gently pet the cockchafer with his finger. The little one had eyes full of love and wonder during this experience. The mother wasn’t very easy to convince, but she ended up trying and was surprised by the softness of the little insect. I showed them that it was a female cockchafer whose abdomen tip is elongated for laying eggs. These few minutes made this evening an extraordinary moment!
Whatever your dreams are, pursue them. Be strong, but don’t forget “to be kind to those who deserve or need your support. My parents, although far from” perfect, were very special role models for me. They taught me to be curious, open-minded, honest, kind, patient, and tenacious.
Be tenacious, stay curious, don’t give up. Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to fail, and learn from your failures.
And if you miss an opportunity, there will be many others!
Edited by Mazzarine D. Léa C. and Carolina C.
Find her here:
Website: https://www.virginie-bouetel.com
