In a nutshell,

I completed my undergraduate studies in natural science with a major in ecology then undertook postgraduate research on biodiversity conservation.

natural science • ecology

•• biodiversity conservation • Master of Science

I have facilitated international scientific programmes to coordinate collaborative works that aimed at advancing global or regional research agenda and the mainstreaming of science into policy. I have proven capacity to support project and network logistics and intellectual needs.

I have ever had a keen interest in issues related to bridging the research-practice gap, to the mainstreaming of scientific findings and to how researchers engage in societal change. This has led me to investigate the value of participatory, context-specific approaches to complex problem-solving in transdisciplinarity.

• project management

research-practice interface •• process facilitation

I have gained strong intercultural awareness from a university cross-cultural training and from life and work experiences abroad or with colleagues from many parts of the world. This has helped me cultivate an open attitude toward new ideas and a deep appreciation of the richness of diversity, it being cultural or geographic.

collaborative • creative • analytical • attention to detail

 

 

••• education

2009 — Transdisciplinary summer school in Sustainability, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

2008 — Master of Science (MSc) by research in Conservation Ecology, with distinction, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

• Payet, K. 2007. The effect of spatial scale on the use of biodiversity surrogates and socio-economic criteria in systematic conservation assessments. MSc thesis. Stellenbosch University, South Africa. 100pp

2004 — End of cycle of undergraduate studies in natural science with major in ecology, France

2002 — Bachelor of Arts in French as a Foreign Language and cross-cultural studies, France

 

 

••• employment

Project manager – Science officer

interdisciplinary ••

• ecosystem services • biodiversity

•• agroecology

 

2018 — Project and communication manager at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (Cirad-UMR PVBMT), France — 1 yr

2015-2017 — Science officer of a global research project of Future Earth (ecoSERVICES), France — 3 yrs

2012-2014 — Science officer of DIVERSITAS, France — 2 yrs

 

proofread, draft, structure • plan, organise, coordinate • meet deadlines • team player

 

• Teamwork & Teamwork Facilitation — Coordinate science committees with chairs and facilitate the progress of their activities; plan, organise, supervise and contribute to project activities (discussions, meetings, writing, etc); actively support team communication; draft meeting agenda and reports; propose and manage collaborative tools and resources.
• Writing, Communication — Edit and write outreach articles/documents; co-draft scientific strategies, policy briefs, reports; develop and update web content.
• Brainwork — Contribute to research project conceptualisation; co-draft syntheses; attend international conferences/meetings/workshops.
• Operational Support — Supervise project support team; work closely with administrative staff; co-manage funding and contribute to funding application and reporting; manage logistics for meetings/workshops.

 

 

Research and field assistant

applied research ••

conservation ecology • restoration ecology

 

2015 — Office and field assistant at the Mangrove Action Project in Asia (MAP), Thailand — 3 months

2010-2012 — Affiliated researcher at the Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLab) of ETH Zürich, Switzerland, and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa — 1.5-yr

2009-2010 — Research assistant at the Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology (ConsEnt), Stellenbosch University, South Africa — 1 yr

2009 — GIS technician for ECOSOL-GIS, South Africa — 4 months

2008 — Research engineer at the National Institute for Agricultural Research (now INRAe, in the UMR BioGeCo), France — 4 months

2006-2008 — Research intern during MSc at SANBI, South Africa, and the Cirad, France — 2 yrs

2004-2005 — Research technician at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia — 6 months

 

draft, revise • analyse data & draw conclusions • brainstorm & make proposals

 

• Scientific research — draft research proposals; develop research design and methodologies; write scientific publications; review literature and draft syntheses; compile and analyse data; collaborate with scientists and practitioners; organise workshops…
• Outreach support — Compile and file data; draft information sheets and user guidelines for conservation managers; design document layout.
• GIS analysis — Map and analyse biodiversity and land-use data in geographic information systems (GIS); compile metada; provide files for researchers.
• Fieldwork — Assist researchers and practitioners in field monitoring surveys and in plot maintenance in restoration ecology.
• Learning — Attend various scientific conferences.

 

••• miscellaneous

French teacher

2002-2003 — Coordinator and Teacher of the French cultural programme, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies of the University of Maldives — 1 yr

I worked and lived in the small capital island of Malé. Besides teaching in classes,  I designed the teaching programme and wrote the faculty student textbook.

 

 

Art

2017-ongoing — see: kpehell.fr

 

 

 

 

Event organiser

2009 — Volunteer for climate NGO 350.org — 3 months

I co-organised a peace march in my university town, Stellenbosch, South Africa, for the International Day of Climate Change Action held on 24 Oct 2009. A colourful procession of 250 participants led by two horse riders marched through town to the beat of a local musical band (group photo). A beautiful way to call attention to our concern about climate change! My tasks included: plan event and march route, coordinate organising team, contact press, design flyers.