…for innovation & stewardship in the origins and responsible management of georesources
I teach through multi-scale datasets, teamwork, real-world exercises and critical thinking. My aim is self-motivated students who can problem-solve, see different perspectives, and understand the societal and environmental context of their studies and future careers. To know their why, and how to create the change they want to see.
An applied hydrogeology course during my undergraduate exchange year at the University of Manchester first showed me how much geoscience matters to society. It led me to an MSc in Environmental and Resource Geochemistry at the University of Bern. At the crossroads of deciding on a PhD topic I was worried that one focused on ore deposit systems would lead me on a path to exploit Earth’s natural resources, but standing in the hallway of our geology department and thinking of industry and academic leaders I heard advocate for responsible stewardship, I realised that researching and teaching about georesource stewardship was how I wanted to make a difference.
How I Teach
1. Concepts connect to students’ own experience
I nurture curiosity with an opening round of questions — “What have you seen or heard about georesources growing up?”, “How have metal, rock and subsurface resources affected you or someone you know?” along with sharing what first inspired me.
2. Learning is active
Small-group work, a mix of assignments and in-class exams, hands-on exercises, digital models, and laboratory and field components — plus new tools, such as tablets and remote sensing for recording and viewing real-time field data such as in our Outcrop to 3D modelling MSc course. I also co-teach a reversed-classroom MSc field course, in which students learn to lead the fieldtrips and discuss the scientific observations.
3. Concepts and terminology are clear
Across languages, and academic backgrounds, providing a common language and investing in fundamentals.
4. Students connect with context and careers
By discussing their perspectives with professional geoscientists brought in for guest lectures and discussions.
5. Reflection is regular
Students give frequent feedback on what they understood or found challenging, and I build it into the next lecture or field day.
Classroom Courses Taught
- Great Challenges in the Earth and Environmental Sciences — MSc invited lecture, University of Lausanne–University of Geneva (March 2025 and 2026)
- Outcrop to 3D Geological Modelling — MSc invited lecture and practical assistant for Move, University of Lausanne–University of Geneva (Oct. 2024 and 2026)
- Structural Geology 101 — BSc practical assistant, University of Lausanne (Sept. 2024)
- Engineering Geology: Paths to Lithium — BSc invited lecture and practical exercise, Colorado School of Mines (Jan. 2023)
- Rohstoffe (Geo-resources): Paths to Lithium — BSc lecturing, University of Bern (2023, invited back April 2025)
- Mineral Resources — MSc laboratory course, teaching assistant, University of Bern (HS 2019; HS 2021)
- Ore Deposits — BSc laboratory course, teaching assistant, University of Bern (FS 2018; FS 2020)
- Geochemical Laboratory Techniques; Petrophysical Methods — MSc laboratory course, teaching assistant, University of Bern (HS 2017)
Teaching in the Field
My field teaching expertise spans metamorphic, structural, ore deposit and hydrothermal-alteration mapping. The field courses I have co-led and assisted on are:
- Kickstarter Field Course — MSc, University of Lausanne (2025) · co-lead
- Geological Field Mapping — BSc, University of Lausanne (2025) · teaching assistant
- Metamorphic Mapping (Kartierkurs), Piora, Switzerland — BSc, University of Bern (2018, 2020) · teaching assistant
- Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping, Spain — MSc, University of Bern (2018) · teaching assistant
To enrich my field teaching expertise I draw on my research fieldwork using techniques from economic geology, remote sensing, petrophysics, structural geology and geochemistry. All built through my experience leading three structural and hydrothermal alteration mapping campaigns in the Semail ophiolite, Oman, two structural mapping and remote-sensing campaigns in southern Germany; and a drill-core sampling campaign on carbonate reservoirs and digital field mapping of orogenic gold source veins in the Alps.
Beyond the Classroom
I have created open-access resources for continuous learning worldwide: co-founding and directing Ore Deposits Hub, which hosted more than 100 invited experts; leading the two-day workshop Practices to People: An Introduction to Community Communication for Geologists, with 60 attendees from 21 countries; co-convening the Swiss Geoscience Meeting session on deep geothermal energy, CO₂ storage and energy-related subsurface exploration; and convening a multi-disciplinary talk series on Swiss geoscience solutions for the energy transition and climate at UNIL and EPFL. Invitations to lecture at Swiss universities and at the Colorado School of Mines, and the feedback on the workshops I have led, reflect my ability to explain and engage on complex scientific topics to students and colleagues.
Inclusive Learning
I am a leader in diverse and inclusive growth in individuals, teams and organisations, and serve on equality commissions at faculty and Swiss-wide level. In practice, that means planning around people — for example, adapting fieldwork schedules, meals and daily timings so that every participant can take part fully.
Ultimately, I want to develop well-rounded, self-motivated students who can solve problems and see different perspectives — empowered by geoscience to connect their values with their studies, careers and role in society.
Workshops & Events Organised
- Practices to People: An Introduction to Community Communication for Exploration Geologists — two half-day workshop, 60 attendees (April 2022). Organised and chaired; moderated a panel of 10 invited speakers and designed a two-hour, case-study-based active-learning exercise.
- Emilie Jäger Lecture — half-day event, 60 attendees (April 2022). Organised; moderated a panel discussion on gender-equality policy with four national leaders from the University of Bern, the University of Basel and the SNSF.
- Retention of Women in Science and Academia — GEODES workshop, Swiss Geoscience Meeting 2021, 90 attendees (Nov. 2021). Organised, introduced and chaired.
- Exploration Career Kickstarter — half-day online networking event (May 2021). Connected 70 attendees with 30 industry professionals, moderating breakout rooms between students and senior professionals.
- Gender Diversity and Equality Workshop — GEODES workshop, Swiss Geoscience Meeting 2020, online, 130 attendees (Dec. 2020). Organised; moderated the panel discussion between senior Swiss scientists and SNSF guests.
- Orogenic Gold Workshop: New Deposits and Perspectives — two-day in-person workshop, KIT, Germany, 60 attendees (Nov. 2019). Organised, chaired and moderated the panel discussion.
Interested in a guest lecture, workshop or collaboration? Get in touch →