Thibaud Chassin, PhD - Assistant Professor in GIS and Digital Geographies

Thibaud Chassin, PhD - Assistant Professor in GIS and Digital Geographies at University of Graz

Let's begin simply: Where are you from, and what is your educational background?

I am from a medium-sized city in France, but I studied in Paris. I first completed a bachelor’s degree in earth sciences before shifting to a master’s in geographic information systems (the technology that visualizes and analyzes geospatial data). Both of these degrees are from Sorbonne University (formerly University Pierre et Marie Curie). I then moved to Switzerland to pursue a PhD in digital participatory planning, where I shared my time between EPFL (LASIG Lab) in Lausanne and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) in Yverdon-les-Bains.

What were your different research projects?

For my master’s thesis, I took a path that wasn’t really research-oriented. I spent 6 months in industry, where I tested CityEngine, a 3D procedural software.  The objective was to create a digital twin of the company’s research campus and to augment it with Environment, Health & Safety dimensions. You can think about developing a detailed 3D map that includes the location of extinguishers and defibrillators, as well as dynamic evacuation plans in case of fire.

I then continued my journey in industry for some time before starting my PhD, which was about combining 3D geo-technologies with participatory approaches to facilitate urban decision-making. Leading this project was very rewarding because I could see the impact of my work almost immediately. I had the chance to take part in several in-person participatory sessions and observe the interactions between participants. From this experience, I was able to conceptually break down the processes and design 3D tools that hopefully made planning more tangible, inclusive, and meaningful for the people involved.

What are you working on right now?

I have been an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in GIS and Digital Geographies at the University of Graz in Austria since September 2024. My group focuses on urban analytics, digital twins, and participatory methods. Most of this year has been about foundational work, network reactivation, and teaching preparation. I am now looking forward to having more time in the coming months to advance my research and develop grant proposals.

After your Master's, you moved into the private sector. What drew you out of academia at that point?

I felt that the conditions were not ideal to pursue a PhD in Paris, and I was excited to experience something new after my studies. Since my master’s had been industry-focused, continuing directly into a PhD was not my initial plan. At the same time, I wanted to grow my technical skills in software engineering, which I started to develop during my studies.

And then you decided to do a PhD. What pushed you back toward research, and what were you searching for that you hadn't found in the private world?

The challenge of pushing a topic as far as possible is super exciting and fun, no? In reality, I have a habit of regularly checking open positions after my first year in any job. That’s how I came across this PhD topic. The technical emphasis of the topic sparked my curiosity. What motivated me most was the opportunity to bring my industry toolkit (milestones, shipping fast, and agile methods) into research, while at the same time having the chance of learning entirely new things.

Once again, after the PhD, you didn't stay within the academic track, you joined a venture. Was that a conscious break? What were you hoping to explore there?

I might be undecided, but the choice was quite intentional. I wanted to learn from a startup environment and from the talented people working there. The context of a startup, a small and fast-moving team, is extremely enriching. The days don’t look alike. Each incremental step can have a strong impact on the company, and potentially, on society. At the time, I also felt that academia was no longer the main driver of innovation and that most of it came from startups. All of this combined is probably what drove me back to the industry at that point.

Now, as an assistant professor, how do you look back on these transitions? Were they intentional, intuitive, or just circumstantial?

Looking back, I would say these transitions were mostly opportunistic but guided by a compass. I said yes to positions where I could learn new things, work with great people, and contribute to something meaningful (at least to me). I also feel lucky to be in a field that allows these shifts, and to have met incredible people who kept me motivated and gave me the chance to bridge between academia and industry.

What was the steps of your application for the assistant Professor position?

I was browsing positions on LinkedIn when I spotted the open call. I wasn’t sure about being a good fit, but I still applied (with a little push from my partner). The application required an academic CV, a six-year research plan (2 pages), and a description of past research projects and teaching experience. A few weeks later, I was invited with 6 other candidates to an in-person interview. I even had to cut my holiday short to be present.

To prepare for the interview, I reached out to several academic colleagues to collect their advice and thoughts on the process. On the day itself, I had to start with a teaching demo at 8:30 am. It was not easy for someone who isn’t a morning person… The process continued with a 25-minute research talk (focused on my PhD) and a one-hour interview with a jury. I had to explain in detail my teaching approach, my research agenda, my founding strategy, and why I would be a good fit for the position. It was not flawless, but I stayed true to myself.

What does "applied research" mean to you today? Has your time in the private sector influenced how you frame or pursue research questions?

I believe that applied research means closing the loop between research and its innovation potential in real-world problems. It also means bridging the gap between cryptic academic processes and society, you can think about practitioners and citizens. Applied research should use prioritized co-design and open publications (that are not only scientific). In my mind, it has to be reproducible and easily adapted in larger, real societal contexts. I think that my time in the private sector made me aware of a world that goes far beyond academia.

Not long ago, you were a PhD student yourself, and now you’ve just welcomed your first PhD student into your team.

Yes, very recently.

How does it feel to transition from being PhD student mentored to becoming a mentor yourself?

It is both energizing and humbling. It often makes me reflect on my PhD journey. I also enjoy discovering what it’s like from the other perspective. To feel more comfortable, I try to actively seek advice from peers, and I stay curious about new things to learn or try.

What do you hope to bring to this role from your own experience as a PhD student?

Plenty! I aim to create a culture that encourages sharing, exploring, and even celebrates failure. I am also borrowing several tools and practices from my time in the private sector. Of course, these need refinements to fit the academic context, with small, incremental steps, I hope to build a great environment to learn, collaborate, and deliver meaningful research.

Are there specific things you learned during doctoral journey that you want to do differently or exactly the same, now that you're guiding someone else?

During my PhD, I learned to be curious. I believe this is an underrated skill in academia. I also want to keep developing my approach to problem-solving: starting from first principles and building quick prototypes with minimum viable products. It often helps to understand how a solution might work and decide on the next steps. I plan to continue growing and learning new skills, but one thing I want to do differently is to focus my research more clearly. I am interested in many different topics and methods, and I often find it challenging to commit to one specific direction.

Thank you ^^

Thibaud Chassin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thibaud-chassin/