Anne Davaille awarded the Francis Birch Lecture
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has awarded Anne Davaille the Francis Birch Lecture, one of the highest international distinctions in geophysics, at its annual Fall Meeting.
A CNRS research director at the Laboratory for Fluids, Automation and Thermal Systems (FAST – Université Paris-Saclay/CNRS) (Fast – Univ. Paris-Saclay/CNRS) and a specialist in the study of complex fluids applied to planetary interiors, Anne Davaille has made a lasting impact on the discipline through her original laboratory experiments. These have shed light on fundamental processes such as mantle convection, the formation of mantle plumes, and the mechanisms driving planetary evolution. Her work, combining scientific rigour with great experimental creativity, has provided new insights into the dynamics and evolution of our planet. At the crossroads of theory, experimentation and observation, her contributions have profoundly shaped modern geophysics and demonstrated the power of experimental approaches in understanding large-scale natural systems.
This international recognition highlights not only the rigour and creativity of her research, but also her inspiring role with young scientists, to whom she conveys both passion and high standards in exploring the workings of our planet.
The Francis Birch Lecture is one of the highest international honours in geophysics and Earth dynamics. It recognises scientists whose research has made major contributions to advancing our understanding of the Earth’s processes.