Knowledge transfer and science–society relations

Since 2022, I have served as Vice-President of the University of Lille for knowledge transfer and science–society relations. This remit connects partnerships with business and other social stakeholders, research commercialisation, entrepreneurship and public engagement with science.

I coordinate PUI-Lille, the University Innovation Cluster of Lille, initially known as L-VORTEKS, recognised in 2023 and funded for 2024–2028. I also contribute to the development of knowledge transfer and public–private collaboration in the Hauts-de-France region.

Scientific coordination and international research training

• DEMO — French lead of the Horizon Europe MSCA doctoral network (2023–2027), bringing together nine research groups from seven countries to train thirteen doctoral researchers.
• PEARL — coordinator of the University of Lille’s H2020 MSCA-COFUND doctoral programme (2019–2025), supporting thirty early-stage researchers.
• EuroBioRef — coordinator of the European project on integrated biorefineries (2010–2014), involving twenty-nine partners from fifteen countries.
• REALCAT — coordinator (2011–2016), then scientific lead (2016–2022) of the high-throughput catalyst screening platform.

My European experience also includes a Marie Curie International Re-Integration Grant in 2005 and supervision of the CatGTP project (H2020 MSCA, 2021–2023).

Research leadership

I served as Deputy Director of UCCS from 2010 to 2016 and as Director from 2016 to 2021. I coordinated the I-SITE ULNE Hub 2, Science for a Changing Planet, from 2017 to 2022, and founded and directed the Franco-Japanese CAT&P4BIO international associated laboratory from 2013 to 2017. Since 2020, I have also mentored newly appointed CNRS research unit directors.

Expert assessment and technology transfer

My expert assessment work includes research proposals for the ERC and EIC Pathfinder, as well as European research agencies and foundations. I serve on scientific advisory bodies and support industrial partnerships. My technology transfer activities also involve TEAMCAT Solutions and BKB Chemicals, startups originating from catalysis research.