Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada
François is Associate Director of Living Labs at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Science and Technology Branch. In this role, he provides leadership on multiple science priorities, including climate change, agri-environmental challenges and the Canadian Network of Agroecosystems Living Labs. Since 2017, he has been responsible for the development of AAFC Living Laboratories Initiative aimed at building resilience in the agricultural landscape and the recently launched Agricultural Climate Solutions program. He has worked with multiple Canadian and international partners in order to develop a new approach to agricultural innovation. In this user-centred approach, farmers and scientists work together from start to finish; transdisciplinary teams, including experts from various disciplines and backgrounds, tackle a common issue together; and projects are conducted in real life experimental setups meaning that working farms are the incubators of innovative technologies. François received his bachelor of sciences in agriculture from McGill University and his master’s degree in Water Sciences from the National Institute of Scientific Research. Following is graduated studies he has been involved in numerous water-focused initiatives throughout Canada and around the world. He served as: Water Sourcing and Planning Specialist in the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration; Water Management Specialist within the Agri-Environmental Services Branch; as the Head of the water management team at the Quebec Research and Development Centre; as acting Associate Director Research-Development-Technology Transfer of the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre; before moving on to executive management as Associate Director for AAFC’s Living Labs and Acting Director Research, Development & Technology for Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Agri-environment, Agro-Climate, Geomatics and Earth Observation Division (ACGEO) and Living Labs. Prior to his employment by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in 2007, François worked on integrated water and pest management in the wine-growing areas of British Columbia and New Zealand. He was also employed as Agricultural and Agri-Food Accounts Director for the RBC Royal Bank of Canada.