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- 32 years old
- researcher, economist
- Masters in Econometrics, DEA in Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources, PhD in Economic Sciences
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Stéphane De Cara
The first researcher to receive the INRA Young Researcher Award
(08/06/2006)
Since 2002, Stéphane De Cara has been working in the INRA-INA-PG Joint Research Unit for Public Economics at Versailles-Grignon, in the team which studies the economic modelling of farms, the environment and developments in agriculture. On June 8, 2006, he received the Young Researcher Award, which acknowledges exceptional work by a newly recruited researcher. Stéphane De Cara modestly refers to "recognition of his potential", but agrees that it has also served as a trigger to motivate his efforts.
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As someone both fascinated by the abstraction of mathematics and interested in social questions, Stéphane De Cara combined his two passions by first of all completing a two-year degree in Applied Mathematics and Social Sciences in Angers. "I approached both economic and mathematic aspects simultaneously. They merged during the three year Master's degree which followed, where I was applying modelling techniques to economic phenomena." Stéphane then chose to complete an Advanced Studies Diploma (DEA) "in order to look in more depth at problems affecting agriculture and the environment". During his DEA attachment, completed at the INRA centre in Grignon, the world of research opened its door to him. "Previously, I had few concrete ideas about research. I suddenly became aware of how economic questions affecting climate change could be absolutely fascinating, and that economic modelling could provide some answers to major environmental problems." At the end of 2000, Stéphane De Cara left for the United States to work as a post-doctoral researcher at Iowa State University, studying the effects of the liberalisation of world agricultural markets. When an INRA competitive examination came up just four months after his arrival, he did not hesitate, returning to France and being accepted. He nonetheless completed his attachment in the United States before joining the Versailles-Grignon Public Economics Unit full-time in May 2002. "I could have stayed in the States, but the prospect of joining this INRA unit, where I had already spent some time and enjoyed the stimulating and pleasant working environment, weighed heavily in its favour", he remembers.
Mathematics to understand world environmental agreements
Stéphane De Cara's thesis addressed climate change from several angles, notably reductions in emission costs in the farming sector. It also included a more theoretical aspect: an analysis of international negotiations using game theory tools "which throw new light on the development and stability of international environmental agreements." Today, his work at INRA is "at the crossroads of environmental challenges and those linked to the effects of agricultural policies." This young researcher is currently developing studies on climate change and analysing reductions in the cost of methane and nitrous oxide in the farming industry. Since he was recruited, Stéphane De Cara has also been working on sequestration: "greenhouse gases are suspected of being responsible for climate change. To solve this problem, efforts are obviously made to reduce emissions. Another option consists in encouraging an increase in carbon stocks in soil, forests and perennial crops. For example, one solution being envisaged is to favour alternative ploughing practices."
Carbon sequestration: until when ?
Analysing this complex problem is difficult: "If less deep tillage is applied, the quantities of carbon entrapped do indeed increase. But if, after a few years, there is a return to conventional methods, the carbon so patiently accumulated in the soil may be released very rapidly into the atmosphere, thus immediately reducing the environmental benefits. So it is all a question of rhythm. Economic instruments must integrate this dimension, while taking account of the costs of control. To this complex dynamic problem should be added the many uncertainties linked to the potential of these practices", adds Stéphane.
The Young Researcher Award: an acknowledgement but also certain duties
Although he is "flattered" by this INRA award, he accepts with modesty that "it has come early in my career". However, Stéphane De Cara does not intend to rest on his laurels: "There are still many stimulating dimensions of climate change to be explored, and particularly its impact on farming." A lot of work in prospect then for this young prize-winner, who seeks "a balance between fundamental and mission-oriented research". He has also been asked to take part in numerous activities: European projects, an involvement in running the Unit and the Department, etc. And there have also been many invitations, such as one from Austria, where he spent 6 months at the Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenberg. Stéphane De Cara enjoys these challenges, which constitute "a particularly rewarding aspect of research at INRA: we can work in other places with a different history, exchange our views with people from other scientific cultures and pool our experience and knowledge!"
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Written by :
Communications Department
Date of creation : 04/08/2006
Date of last update : 08/08/2006
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