In 2017, Justin Missaghieh--Poncet enrolled in the Master’s in Sustainable Development, Planning, Society and Territories (DAST) at UPPA, then joined the Energy and Environmental Transitions (TREE) laboratory as a PhD student. Seven years down the line, the young Doctor in Geography is a post-doctoral researcher in the EDYTEM laboratory (CNRS/Université Savoie Mont Blanc), studying the social acceptability of Lithium in France, Spain and Portugal.
How did you develop this taste for research?
After a STAV (Agronomy and Life Sciences) Baccalaureate in an agricultural high school, I chose a Degree in Geography at the University of Chambéry with idea of pursuing further study afterwards. I was interested in several areas: the notion of territory, sustainable development, common goods, etc. I saw geography as a subject at the crossroads between the environmental and social sciences. At the end of this first stage, I wanted to open myself up to other areas and other ways of doing geography. I looked at the Master’s in Sustainable Development, Planning, Society and Territories (DAST) at UPPA saw that it matched my interests. To be certain of my choice, I talked to researchers in the PASSAGES social sciences laboratory at UPPA, which also reaffirmed my desire to do a PhD in their laboratory after the Master’s. I then did two decisive internships, the first in PASSAGES, where I carried out a research project on the development of local food supply chains, like the AMAP networks, in Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The second internship was during the second year of my Master’s, with the French Geological Survey on geological CO₂ storage, using the example of a local project in the Lacq basin. It was this path that gradually steered me towards research.
In what context did you carry out your PhD?
After my Master’s course, Xavier Arnaud de Sartre, a Research Director at the CNRS and my future PhD supervisor, suggested that I do a PhD on the politicisation of the subsoil, hosted by the Energy and Environmental Transitions (TREE) laboratory at UPPA. These three years culminated in a thesis defended in May 2023: “Aux frontières de la géothermie profonde : l’émergence du milieu « sous-sol » dans un contexte de transition énergétique” (At the frontiers of deep geothermal energy: the emergence of the “subsoil” environment in a context of energy transition).
What was your impression of the Pau campus?
It was a similar setting to Chambéry. UPPA is a medium-sized university where you quickly find your feet. I remember a green campus and great intellectual competition. For several years, I was president of the L'Arrosoir association, which managed the university's shared garden. It’s a great place to live, meet people and exchange ideas. It’s a very animated campus. I also remember the activism of students at the time of the research and pension reforms. I really felt that the university was playing its part, with citizens in training who take part in the life of the city. The university gave us the opportunity to learn, debate, reflect… As a substitute member of the research committee, I also discovered the university’s close connections with the local region, particularly dynamic top-level research laboratories and many projects developed with the local community.
What words do you spontaneously associate with UPPA?
Conviviality - Local area - Excellence in research and teaching
What advice would you give to a young person starting a course at UPPA?
At the end of high school, lots of people have a very narrow view of geography, and it’s a shame! In reality, it’s a very multidisciplinary discipline at the crossroads between environmental and social sciences that allows us to better understand the world around us. I urge young people to choose geography out of interest, not by default. After graduation, there are many different career opportunities: cartography, town planning, teaching, research environmental work, etc. Don't hesitate! I'd also recommend taking advantage of university life to develop your civic spirit: there are all kinds of clubs and associations (environmental, trade union, artistic or cultural), so don’t hesitate to get involved and meet new people!
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