Dominique Laffly

Current Scientific Activity

My current research have in common three major aspects: they take place in a transdisciplinary context; they assert the specificity of the geographer in the control of the spatial dimension at the crossroads of social (practices) and environmental (potentials); digital information (remote and in situ sensing, surveys…) and methods (data analysis, modeling, cloud computing…) are mobilized in an operational goal. In Spitsbergen and in the Pyrenees, in Madagascar and in Vietnam, the geographical diversity is exploited to consolidate the theoretical frame. The contemporary climate change, major work of industrialization, agricultural practices, health… are all cross-cutting themes we address through the landscape seen here as a revealer of complex system of dynamics that link man to its environment. Or is it the reverse?

The TORUS program I currently have responsibility (2015-2018, € 1 million, 50 researchers, Belgium-France-Italy-Thailand-Vietnam) rather accurately embodies my transdisciplinary scientific involvement between quantitative and IT Geosciences constantly evolving.

Summary of Professional Achievments 

My studies were spent in Besançon to the extent of quantitative methods and remote sensing in the Landscape Analysis in Geography. In 1995, following the PhD, I chose the University of Pau to start my career as assistant professor. Change College is a test in more ways but it is also an opportunity to confront and enhance its scientific approach with other regards. Without undermining the foundations of my vocation I have the opportunity to diversify my initial questions during the time spend in Pau leading to the drafting of the HDR in 2005 (Geographic Information and Numerical Methods in Geography). Since 2008 I’m full professor in Toulouse. Again faced with another geography – perhaps I should say other geographers? – Now my goal is to promote what makes sense in Geography in my experience and that can be summarized as follows: why here but not there?

Mobility across Thematic Areas

Geography – Landscape – Public Health (health area) – Spatial epidemiology (THA, plague, Hg) – Biotope (tetrao urogallus and apis mellifera) – pastoralism (diagnostic) – biogeography (potential and area) – hydrology (runoff and balance) – snow and glaciology (global change) – Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) – remote sensing and geomatic – data analysis and spatial modelization – GNSS, GPR and monitoring – cloud computing – Big Data.

Geographic Mobility

France (Jura, Alps, Pyrenees) – Portugal, Spain – Switzerland – Africa (Niger, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, Madagascar) – Asia (Vietnam, Thaïland, Cambodia, Laos, Republic of Korea) – South America (Bolivia, Brazil, French Guinea) – Arctic (Svalbard).