The OCE

The OCE  team is hosted by Sorbonne University on the Pierre et Marie Curie campus in Paris, where it also benefits from the scientific environnement of IPSL.

David Wilgenbus
Executive Director
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Who I am
Astrophysicist by training, I have worked for 17 years (2001-2017) as head of educational resources for the La main à la pâte Foundation. I have coordinated several large-scale educational programs on sustainable development (climate change, housing, mobility, health, natural disasters...) and science (computer sciences, astronomy), which have been implemented in more than 100,000 classes in France and abroad. My expertise lies in science teaching and education for sustainable development; in particular the design of pedagogical projects and teacher training.
In 2017, I coordinated a feasibility study for an international initiative for climate change education, which led to the creation of the Office for Climate Education in 2018.

What I do at OCE

Since 2018, I have been the Chief executive officer of the Office for Climate Education. I lead the operational team based in Paris and am responsible for the implementation of the OCE's strategic plan. I also contribute to pedagogical engineering and teacher training at the OCE.

Micol Picasso
Operations Director
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Who I am
I have been working for more than 20 years in the humanitarian sector at different levels, from field missions to coordination position at headquarters. Specialized in emergency response missions, I have witnessed firsthand the negative effects of climate change on the most vulnerable people in the poorest countries (Haiti, Pakistan, Sudan, DRC). Since my return to Europe, I have been working on grant management and coordination of projects to raise awareness and mobilize young people and major decision-makers on the challenges of adaptation and ecological transition, in particular with Oxfam France.
What I do at OCE

Operations Director in office since March 2023, I’m in charge of  the coordination of ongoing projects, the management of HR on programs and of institutional fundraising  (with public donors and private foundations) with the objective of increasing  the operations of the OCE.

Natalie Nicetto
Executive assistant and Project manager
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Who I am
A young graduate in Negotiation of International Projects. Polyglot, thanks to my multicultural background, I speak 5 languages fluently. Born in Mexico, I have faced the social and environmental consequences of low resilience to strong industrial, climatic, economic and demographic changes. Growing up in this context, I developed a strong awareness for the preservation of the planet. Consequently, I engaged in different social and solidarity actions; such as participating in the development of a shared garden in Montpellier, France; organizing of a fundraising campaign for a sustainable building project in Hueyapan, Mexico; coordinating of a group of international volunteers for the development of the territory and sustainable agriculture technique in Rocca Sinibalda, Italy.
In my free time I enjoy cooking for others, biking around and I listening to live music.
What I do at OCE

I first arrived to the OCE as an executive assistant in order to provide logistics and administration support to the whole team. Later on I took the lead on the management of the main OCE international project: the CLEAR project. If you want to know more about it, go check the special section devoted to it.

Esraa Salim
Project Manager
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Jean-Guy Arpin
Administrative and Financial Manager
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Who I am
With 30 years of experience in the SSE, I started my career as an adult trainer after a dual degree in marketing and HR. My professional trajectory revolves around three key areas:
The development of experimental programs that have enabled the creation of over 10,000 local SMEs, with a particular focus on craft and creative industries, and the green economy, supporting the economic transitions of struggling regions.
Institutional projects such as the launch of the first Bachelor's degrees for small business entrepreneurs, the structuring of sector hubs with trade federations and strengthening entrepreneurship support networks in areas of high poverty in Central Europe.
The administrative, human, and financial management of high-impact associations, with a particular focus on underserved communities and regions.
Rooted in local communities and mindful of resource management, these initiatives have enabled the experimentation and structuring of models that reconcile social impact, economic viability, the promotion of expertise, and individual initiatives. Climate change, which exacerbates poverty and accelerates new social and economic emergencies, strengthens my commitment to inclusive and sustainable projects.
What I do at OCE

I recently joined OCE as the Administrative and Financial Manager. My role is to oversee the association's budgetary, financial, and administrative management while also supporting the leadership team on HR matters. The administrative and financial team contributes to ensuring the sustainability of educational projects aimed at raising awareness among younger generations about climate change challenges.

Gabriel Bismut
Office Manager
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Who I am
An engineer from Supélec and a PhD in fundamental physics, I initially spent over ten years conducting artistic and cultural projects as a professional musician, teacher, and manager of an independent music label. As the leader of various projects, I performed in more than 400 concerts and festivals in Paris, throughout France, and across Europe. I released two albums, for which I co-wrote the music. For my label, I also handled concert production, the administrative and financial structuring of projects, securing public funding, coordinating artistic teams, and ensuring legal and social compliance. I later wanted to use these experiences for projects with a broader scope, driven by the belief that a global and systemic vision is at the root of any lasting achievement. This naturally led me to the field of sustainability transformation.
What I do at OCE

When I joined OCE, I first led the transfer of activities between two legal entities, involving governance, HR, and compliance challenges. This work was carried out in coordination with a legal firm, governance bodies, operational teams, and funders. Today, I provide administrative, HR, and accounting support. In particular, I implement our internal processes through digital tools and manage the association’s internal IT network.

Simon Klein
Science Officer
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Who I am
I am an ecologist studying pollinators ecology. I also have a teaching diploma. I did my PhD in France (CNRS in Toulouse) and in Australia (Macquarie University, Sydney) and I studied the impacts of environmental stressors on social bees behaviour. Then I taught biology to bachelor students in France and Australia. In 2019, after my PhD, I facilitated science in the GoodPlanet Foundation for Biodiversity in Paris ; and I worked as a biology and geology teacher at the Solertia institut near Paris. Apart from my academic and pedagogic engagements, I am active in theater making, and I am keen on transmitting sciences through comedy.



What I do at OCE

I joined the OCE team in Paris in February 2020 as Science Officer. My mission is to coordinate the production of educational resources of the OCE and its network and to participate to the teachers' professional development.

Nicolas Vogt
Education Officer
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Who I am
I have been a teacher for 15 years, both in secondary schools and in high schools. I have worked in France and in French schools abroad (Morocco, Senegal), in different networks. Active teaching methods are at the heart of my practice: observations, modelling, experimentation, investigative approach, inverted class... I try to favour the field approach as much as possible, which is important in the understanding of complex phenomena and scales. I like to build interdisciplinary projects with my colleagues, which gives more meaning to learning and mobilizes essential skills and values in students. Studies show that they promote the acquisition of knowledge and encourage proactive behavior, a great goal for building a better future!

What I do at OCE

I am an education officer, which means that I put my teaching experience at the service of the scientific and pedagogical expertise of the OCE. My knowledge in the production of resources (academic, textbooks,...) is very useful to me at OCE, which produces a lot of them: textbooks, summaries of IPCC reports for teachers, educational kits, digital resources. With my scientific colleagues, we also train many teachers and trainers, in France but especially abroad. Finally, we monitor educational projects all over the world: awareness raising, mitigation or adaptation projects, participatory sciences. The purpose of this follow-up is to support educational teams and to make these projects known in the hope of triggering chain reactions in the educational community.

Adeline Aroskay
Science Officer
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Who I am
I am a Doctor in Earth Sciences. During my doctorate carried out at ISTeP (Sorbonne University, Paris) and completed in 2020, I became interested in studying the fate of volcanic sulfur gases emitted into the atmosphere. In parallel with my research activities, I taught geosciences in higher education and I also worked on masters preparing for the CAPES and SVT aggregation competitions. I myself have a degree in Life, Earth and Universe Sciences and I was a high school SVT teacher.
My experience in higher and secondary education has often led me to question my teaching practices in order to improve the acquisition of skills among students as well as give more meaning to learning. I have a strong interest in questions relating to education and the improvement of practices, but also in all questions relating to the environment and climate change in general.
Working at the OCE allows me to combine themes that are close to my heart and which give a lot of meaning to my professional activity.
What I do at OCE

I joined the OCE in August 2023 as a scientific mediator. I put my experiences in the world of research and in the educational environment at the service of the OCE's missions which require both scientific and educational expertise.

In addition to the production of educational resources, my colleagues and I are training numerous teachers and trainers in France and especially abroad and we are contributing to the coordination and monitoring of national and international educational projects.

 

Natalie Chong
Science Officer
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Who I am
A social scientist by training, I have an inter- and transdisciplinary background with experience in sustainability and climate-related issues in research and practice. My PhD research focused on the (co-)production of scientific knowledge and tools (models) and their use in water resource management in France and Australia. Previously, I have developed educational resources and activities such as workshops, summer schools, training programs, and webinars to promote critical reflection and collective action on various sustainability issues for stakeholders in France, Cambodia, and the Philippines. I have also worked to strengthen the relationship between research and policy at the global level with UNFCCC, IPCC, IPBES, and CBD. Convinced that education is the key driver of transformative change, I am committed to making climate education inclusive and accessible and finding creative ways of teaching and learning that spark meaningful conversation and drive positive change.
What I do at OCE

I joined the OCE team in April 2024 as a Science Officer, where my primary focus is to develop educational resources, training, projects, and other activities which contribute to OCE's mission to prioritize climate education in France and abroad.

 

Elena Pasquinelli
Research and evaluation officer
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Who I am
I am a philosopher by training. I have a 3-years-university degree (from the Faculty of Medicine) in rehabilitation for children with neuro-cognitive and motor disorders and a 5-years-university degree in Philosophy, both obtained at the University of Pisa, Italy. After a DEA (equivalent Master) in History of sciences and technologies (Institut Koyré, EHESS), I’ve pursued my specialisation in philosophy, and namely in philosophy of cognitive science with a PhD on perceptual illusions obtained at the Ecole des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS, Institut Jean Nicod). I have been fortunate to be able to orient my work around my interests and values: to better use scientific knowledge to guide our actions, to work towards choices that take into account the facts. My main focus is education and namely translational research from cognitive science to education. I’m the author of several papers and books on the application of cognitive science to education and to theunderstanding of our relationship with new technologies. I am currently associate member of the research laboratory Institut Jean Nicod, in Paris, and member of the French Conseil Scientifique de l’Education Nationale and of the Scientific Council of Universciences.
What I do at OCE

As coordinator of research and evaluation, I divide my working hours between  Fondation La main à la pâte and the OCE. I am in charge of the development of evaluation tools as well as of research projects aimed at measuring the impact of pedagogical and training resources.  I am also in charge of the scientific watch, with the objective of identifying the best sources of evidence on learning and education that can nourish our products. 

Amina Maroini
Science Officer
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Who I am
I hold a master's degree in climate science from Sorbonne University, where I completed my thesis on heat extremes in sub-Saharan Africa. I continued to explore this research topic for a year and a half at the Climate Bureau of the European Space Agency in the United Kingdom. Alongside this research, I was actively involved in numerous science communication activities and the production of educational content to promote the understanding of climate change among primary to secondary school students, university students, and stakeholders and NGOs in West Africa. Convinced that climate change education is the key to counteracting both climate skepticism and catastrophism, I aspire to help position future generations of students as actors in ecological transition.
What I do at OCE

I joined the OCE team in May 2024 as a Science Officer, where my main goal is to develop educational resources, training programs, projects, and other activities contributing to OCE's mission of prioritizing climate education in France and abroad.

Djian Sadadou
Communications & community manager
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Who I am
I am a young international professional, and graduate in political science and environmental science. I have an important multicultural background having lived in more than 8 countries, mostly in Latin America. I am motivated by the climate transition and its challenges in terms of education, energy, and social inclusion. As a result, I specialize in impactful communication, distribution of educational content and networks development. During the past 4 years I have been sharing my skills with international organizations and companies which aim to contribute to the climate transition.
What I do at OCE

Within the OCE, I hold the position of Communications & Community Officer. I am responsible for structuring the organization's communication as well as leading and developing its various networks in France and internationally.

Eva Perrier Ponsin
Communication Officer
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Who I am
My previous experiences in academic and international settings have strengthened my professional aspirations and today I am Communications Officer at the OCE. I am wholeheartedly committed to pursuing a career in the field of climate change communication. My enthusiasm for my role at OCE is fueled by the prospect of contributing to causes that are deeply meaningful to me, especially in the realm of education. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have sought to leverage my skills to raise awareness and educate young people, whether in the context of contemporary art or by addressing the critical issue of climate change. Working at OCE represents for me the opportunity to deepen my commitment to climate change education, and I eagerly look forward to the challenges ahead!
What I do at OCE

I collaborate closely with all members of the communications team, working on various initiatives related to the implementation of climate change education, including the ALEC project in Latin America. I am actively involved in editorial aspects, which includes creating and managing our social media presence, writing articles and newsletters, and updating the website with relevant content. Furthermore, I have a strong inclination for graphic design and video production!

Stefania Rosolen
PhD student
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Who I am
I hold degrees in biology and science education, with a master's in environmental education from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. I recently completed a master's in international cooperation in education and training at Université Paris Cité. I am currently a PhD candidate at Sorbonne University, in partnership with the CNRS at the LOCEAN laboratory, and I am hosted by the Office for Climate Education (OCE). My thesis focuses on the integration of climate change and the ocean into teaching and school textbooks in France, a topic that aligns closely with my aspirations. With six years of experience as a science teacher in secondary schools in Brazil, I also completed a six-month internship at UNESCO, within the Section for Teacher Development. My research interests focus on the analysis of school textbooks and teaching practices, as I am convinced of their crucial role in learning and education for sustainable development. I firmly believe that these educational tools contribute to shaping a more socially just and environmentally equitable world.
What I do at OCE

I joined the OCE team in Paris in October 2024 as a PhD candidate in environmental sciences. My work focuses on a transdisciplinary approach, with a particular emphasis on climate change education.

Meriem Gasmi
Communication officer junior
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Who I am
Après un parcours scolaire initialement scientifique, je me suis réorientée vers une licence en Langues Étrangères Appliquées (anglais-espagnol), avant d’intégrer un Master en Communication culturelle à l’Université Paris Cité. Mon engagement associatif de longue date, notamment à travers un service civique dédié à la sensibilisation aux gestes écologiques, témoigne de mon intérêt pour les projets coopératifs, éducatifs et porteurs de sens.
Je suis profondément convaincue que la communication peut être un levier puissant de transformation sociale. Mettre mes compétences au service de causes qui me tiennent à cœur, comme l’éducation au changement climatique est pour moi bien plus qu’un choix professionnel : c’est une démarche de conviction.
Je suis particulièrement motivée par la volonté de contribuer à la démocratisation de valeurs essentielles, telles que la protection de l’environnement pour les générations futures. C’est pourquoi je suis ravie de participer, au sein de l’OCE, à la mise en œuvre de stratégies de communication responsables et impactantes.
What I do at OCE

En tant que stagiaire au sein du pôle communication, je contribue à la création de contenus, à la gestion des réseaux sociaux ainsi qu’à la communication autour des événements. Une expérience riche qui me permettra de grandir autant sur le plan personnel que professionnel.