{"id":10732,"date":"2026-05-18T10:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/?p=10732"},"modified":"2026-05-18T10:47:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:47:00","slug":"thinking-outside-the-box-vincent-boulard-from-school-phobia-to-theorems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/articles\/thinking-outside-the-box-vincent-boulard-from-school-phobia-to-theorems\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking Outside the Box: Vincent Boulard, From School Phobia to Theorems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"Tunnel
Futuristic tunnel. with geometric light patterns Credit : Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is your research topic?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my PhD, I am working at the intersection of three branches of mathematics: analysis, geometry and control theory.  Analysis allows us to describe phenomena such as velocity, acceleration, and diffusion. The geometry I use \u2013 called differential geometry, which differs from the Euclidean geometry taught in middle school \u2013 describes curved spaces such as a sphere or a \u201cdonut.\u201d The combination of these two fields is known as geometric analysis and aims to provide the tools needed to model complex physical phenomena, such as heat diffusion which rarely occurs on perfectly flat surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Control theory, meanwhile, studies the mechanisms of action on dynamic systems \u2013 such as a car or a rocket \u2013 involved in moving them from point A to point B or in stabilizing them. For example, if I balance an object on my finger, control theory determines the movements required to keep it balanced.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My work remains essentially theoretical and aims to establish new theorems to provide mathematical tools that can be used in practical applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few years ago, theoretical advances in this area enabled EDF [\u00c9lectricit\u00e9 de France, the French state-owned utility company] to improve the control of certain dams \u2013 something that would not have been possible before these tools were developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
\u00a0<\/strong>Featured image: Chatou Dam. Laurent Mignaux \/ Terra<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since I was very young, I\u2019ve always loved the feeling of understanding: solving puzzles, tinkering with electronics, programming and, more broadly, that moment of revelation when everything suddenly clicks into place.  In high school, I realized that the subject that gave me the most satisfaction in this regard was mathematics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My academic path was unconventional. Nothing suggested I was destined for higher education: I didn\u2019t particularly like school, my parents didn\u2019t have high-school diplomas, and I grew up in a rural area. During high school, I developed a phobia of school. I didn\u2019t feel I belonged there and saw mathematics as a tool designed to select the best pupils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, I decided to leave school, and for two years I studied physics, mathematics, and electronics on my own using preparatory-class textbooks and popular science videos. At first out of curiosity, and then out of a genuine passion for mathematics, I decided to take the high school diploma [baccalaur\u00e9at] exams independently and prepare for competitive entrance exams, which allowed me to enter the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es. Since I was interested in research, I completed an internship at CERMICS, where I was pleasantly surprised by the human side of research and the intellectual freedom it offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One historical figure in science who naturally comes to mind is Albert Einstein, because of his story, his career path and his philosophy of thought. I admire the way he flouted many established norms in the world of physics. His career illustrates the importance of making science accessible to all, rather than reserving it solely for a small elite. It is not so much a question of his intelligence as of his original way of thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also see similar unconventional career paths among women scientists, at a time when they were excluded from science. For example, the French mathematician Sophie Germain had to use male pseudonyms to correspond with Legendre and Gauss. These obstacles shaped how these women worked and thought, leading them to develop strategies that differed from those of their male colleagues. Unfortunately, the role of women in science has long been overlooked.  Closer to my own research field, this includes the women at NASA who performed essential calculations for rocket launches. Their story inspired the film Hidden Figures<\/em>, which highlights their fundamental \u2013 yet long unrecognized \u2013 role in space exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mathematics is often seen as an extremely solitary pursuit. Yet today, research and laboratory life are increasingly collaborative. It has become, above all, a deeply human profession. With around 100,000 new theorems established each year, it is essential to promote one\u2019s work and make it known [Editor\u2019s note: Contrary to a common misconception, mathematics is not a fixed body of knowledge to be learned once and for all. It is a constantly evolving discipline, with new results, questions, and methods emerging all the time.]<\/em> This is where conferences come in; they can be seen as the social networks of the research world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of conference is all the more important as it allows young researchers to gain their first experience of presenting their work in a supportive environment, where they do not feel judged and can make mistakes. It\u2019s a way of gradually introducing oneself to the research community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being very good at mathematics is still essential, of course, but in my view it is no longer sufficient. The human dimension is becoming essential, all the more so with the rise of generative artificial intelligence. To draw a parallel with the past, mathematicians were once judged primarily on their computational ability \u2013 until the advent of computers. We may be undergoing a similar transformation with AI. [Editor\u2019s note: in the sense that value no longer lies solely in the technical output itself, but in the ability to ask the right questions, interpret the results and apply critical thinking to the generated answers.]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is your research topic? In my PhD, I am working at the intersection of three branches of mathematics: analysis, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":10731,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_related_content_post":[],"_related_content_subject":[690],"_related_content_author":[10717],"_related_content_category":[1716,1720],"_related_content_folder":[10721],"_excerpt":"From biology and physics to economics, engineering and many other fields, applied mathematics cuts across a wide range of disciplines, enabling us to model, understand, and solve complex problems. Yet far from the abstract image often associated with it, applied mathematics permeates everyday life and drives research at the heart of very concrete challenges. This feature gives voice to five young researchers in applied mathematics who took part in the Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics (CJC-MA)<\/a>. Drawing on their backgrounds and in their own words, they describe what led them to this field, the scientists who inspired them, and the importance of such a conference to them in their careers as young researchers.

","_duration":4,"_manual_duration":false,"footnotes":""},"article-types":[8,13],"class_list":["post-10732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article-types-article"],"has_blocks":true,"block_data":[{"blockName":"enpc\/excerpt","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":10731,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"wide","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/MEDIATION2026_DDAP_FDS-1024x724.jpg","alt":"Tunnel futuriste. Cr\u00e9dit : Pexels","caption":"Futuristic tunnel. with geometric light patterns Credit : Pexels","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-image alignwide size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"Tunnel
Futuristic tunnel. with geometric light patterns Credit : Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"Tunnel
Futuristic tunnel. with geometric light patterns Credit : Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"Tunnel
Futuristic tunnel. with geometric light patterns Credit : Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"What is your research topic?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

What is your research topic?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

What is your research topic?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

What is your research topic?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"In my PhD, I am working at the intersection of three branches of mathematics: analysis, geometry and control theory.\u00a0 Analysis allows us to describe phenomena such as velocity, acceleration, and diffusion. The geometry I use \u2013 called differential geometry, which differs from the Euclidean geometry taught in middle school \u2013 describes curved spaces such as a sphere or a \u201cdonut.\u201d The combination of these two fields is known as geometric analysis and aims to provide the tools needed to model complex physical phenomena, such as heat diffusion which rarely occurs on perfectly flat surfaces.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

In my PhD, I am working at the intersection of three branches of mathematics: analysis, geometry and control theory.  Analysis allows us to describe phenomena such as velocity, acceleration, and diffusion. The geometry I use \u2013 called differential geometry, which differs from the Euclidean geometry taught in middle school \u2013 describes curved spaces such as a sphere or a \u201cdonut.\u201d The combination of these two fields is known as geometric analysis and aims to provide the tools needed to model complex physical phenomena, such as heat diffusion which rarely occurs on perfectly flat surfaces.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

In my PhD, I am working at the intersection of three branches of mathematics: analysis, geometry and control theory.  Analysis allows us to describe phenomena such as velocity, acceleration, and diffusion. The geometry I use \u2013 called differential geometry, which differs from the Euclidean geometry taught in middle school \u2013 describes curved spaces such as a sphere or a \u201cdonut.\u201d The combination of these two fields is known as geometric analysis and aims to provide the tools needed to model complex physical phenomena, such as heat diffusion which rarely occurs on perfectly flat surfaces.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

In my PhD, I am working at the intersection of three branches of mathematics: analysis, geometry and control theory.  Analysis allows us to describe phenomena such as velocity, acceleration, and diffusion. The geometry I use \u2013 called differential geometry, which differs from the Euclidean geometry taught in middle school \u2013 describes curved spaces such as a sphere or a \u201cdonut.\u201d The combination of these two fields is known as geometric analysis and aims to provide the tools needed to model complex physical phenomena, such as heat diffusion which rarely occurs on perfectly flat surfaces.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Control theory, meanwhile, studies the mechanisms of action on dynamic systems \u2013 such as a car or a rocket \u2013 involved in moving them from point A to point B or in stabilizing them. For example, if I balance an object on my finger, control theory determines the movements required to keep it balanced.\u00a0\u00a0","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Control theory, meanwhile, studies the mechanisms of action on dynamic systems \u2013 such as a car or a rocket \u2013 involved in moving them from point A to point B or in stabilizing them. For example, if I balance an object on my finger, control theory determines the movements required to keep it balanced.  <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Control theory, meanwhile, studies the mechanisms of action on dynamic systems \u2013 such as a car or a rocket \u2013 involved in moving them from point A to point B or in stabilizing them. For example, if I balance an object on my finger, control theory determines the movements required to keep it balanced.  <\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Control theory, meanwhile, studies the mechanisms of action on dynamic systems \u2013 such as a car or a rocket \u2013 involved in moving them from point A to point B or in stabilizing them. For example, if I balance an object on my finger, control theory determines the movements required to keep it balanced.  <\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"My work remains essentially theoretical and aims to establish new theorems to provide mathematical tools that can be used in practical applications.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

My work remains essentially theoretical and aims to establish new theorems to provide mathematical tools that can be used in practical applications.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

My work remains essentially theoretical and aims to establish new theorems to provide mathematical tools that can be used in practical applications.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

My work remains essentially theoretical and aims to establish new theorems to provide mathematical tools that can be used in practical applications.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"A few years ago, theoretical advances in this area enabled EDF [\u00c9lectricit\u00e9 de France, the French state-owned utility company] to improve the control of certain dams \u2013 something that would not have been possible before these tools were developed.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

A few years ago, theoretical advances in this area enabled EDF [\u00c9lectricit\u00e9 de France, the French state-owned utility company] to improve the control of certain dams \u2013 something that would not have been possible before these tools were developed.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

A few years ago, theoretical advances in this area enabled EDF [\u00c9lectricit\u00e9 de France, the French state-owned utility company] to improve the control of certain dams \u2013 something that would not have been possible before these tools were developed.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

A few years ago, theoretical advances in this area enabled EDF [\u00c9lectricit\u00e9 de France, the French state-owned utility company] to improve the control of certain dams \u2013 something that would not have been possible before these tools were developed.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":10679,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Laurent-Mignaux_Terra-1024x681.jpg","alt":"","caption":"\u00a0Featured image: Chatou Dam. Laurent Mignaux \/ Terra","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
\u00a0<\/strong>Featured image: Chatou Dam. Laurent Mignaux \/ Terra<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
\u00a0<\/strong>Featured image: Chatou Dam. Laurent Mignaux \/ Terra<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
\u00a0<\/strong>Featured image: Chatou Dam. Laurent Mignaux \/ Terra<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"What led you to study mathematics?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Ever since I was very young, I\u2019ve always loved the feeling of understanding: solving puzzles, tinkering with electronics, programming and, more broadly, that moment of revelation when everything suddenly clicks into place.\u00a0 In high school, I realized that the subject that gave me the most satisfaction in this regard was mathematics.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Ever since I was very young, I\u2019ve always loved the feeling of understanding: solving puzzles, tinkering with electronics, programming and, more broadly, that moment of revelation when everything suddenly clicks into place.  In high school, I realized that the subject that gave me the most satisfaction in this regard was mathematics.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Ever since I was very young, I\u2019ve always loved the feeling of understanding: solving puzzles, tinkering with electronics, programming and, more broadly, that moment of revelation when everything suddenly clicks into place.  In high school, I realized that the subject that gave me the most satisfaction in this regard was mathematics.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Ever since I was very young, I\u2019ve always loved the feeling of understanding: solving puzzles, tinkering with electronics, programming and, more broadly, that moment of revelation when everything suddenly clicks into place.  In high school, I realized that the subject that gave me the most satisfaction in this regard was mathematics.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"My academic path was unconventional. Nothing suggested I was destined for higher education: I didn\u2019t particularly like school, my parents didn\u2019t have high-school diplomas, and I grew up in a rural area. During high school, I developed a phobia of school. I didn\u2019t feel I belonged there and saw mathematics as a tool designed to select the best pupils.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

My academic path was unconventional. Nothing suggested I was destined for higher education: I didn\u2019t particularly like school, my parents didn\u2019t have high-school diplomas, and I grew up in a rural area. During high school, I developed a phobia of school. I didn\u2019t feel I belonged there and saw mathematics as a tool designed to select the best pupils.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

My academic path was unconventional. Nothing suggested I was destined for higher education: I didn\u2019t particularly like school, my parents didn\u2019t have high-school diplomas, and I grew up in a rural area. During high school, I developed a phobia of school. I didn\u2019t feel I belonged there and saw mathematics as a tool designed to select the best pupils.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

My academic path was unconventional. Nothing suggested I was destined for higher education: I didn\u2019t particularly like school, my parents didn\u2019t have high-school diplomas, and I grew up in a rural area. During high school, I developed a phobia of school. I didn\u2019t feel I belonged there and saw mathematics as a tool designed to select the best pupils.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"So, I decided to leave school, and for two years I studied physics, mathematics, and electronics on my own using preparatory-class textbooks and popular science videos. At first out of curiosity, and then out of a genuine passion for mathematics, I decided to take the high school diploma [baccalaur\u00e9at] exams independently and prepare for competitive entrance exams, which allowed me to enter the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es. Since I was interested in research, I completed an internship at CERMICS, where I was pleasantly surprised by the human side of research and the intellectual freedom it offers.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

So, I decided to leave school, and for two years I studied physics, mathematics, and electronics on my own using preparatory-class textbooks and popular science videos. At first out of curiosity, and then out of a genuine passion for mathematics, I decided to take the high school diploma [baccalaur\u00e9at] exams independently and prepare for competitive entrance exams, which allowed me to enter the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es. Since I was interested in research, I completed an internship at CERMICS, where I was pleasantly surprised by the human side of research and the intellectual freedom it offers.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

So, I decided to leave school, and for two years I studied physics, mathematics, and electronics on my own using preparatory-class textbooks and popular science videos. At first out of curiosity, and then out of a genuine passion for mathematics, I decided to take the high school diploma [baccalaur\u00e9at] exams independently and prepare for competitive entrance exams, which allowed me to enter the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es. Since I was interested in research, I completed an internship at CERMICS, where I was pleasantly surprised by the human side of research and the intellectual freedom it offers.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

So, I decided to leave school, and for two years I studied physics, mathematics, and electronics on my own using preparatory-class textbooks and popular science videos. At first out of curiosity, and then out of a genuine passion for mathematics, I decided to take the high school diploma [baccalaur\u00e9at] exams independently and prepare for competitive entrance exams, which allowed me to enter the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es. Since I was interested in research, I completed an internship at CERMICS, where I was pleasantly surprised by the human side of research and the intellectual freedom it offers.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"One historical figure in science who naturally comes to mind is Albert Einstein, because of his story, his career path and his philosophy of thought. I admire the way he flouted many established norms in the world of physics. His career illustrates the importance of making science accessible to all, rather than reserving it solely for a small elite. It is not so much a question of his intelligence as of his original way of thinking.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

One historical figure in science who naturally comes to mind is Albert Einstein, because of his story, his career path and his philosophy of thought. I admire the way he flouted many established norms in the world of physics. His career illustrates the importance of making science accessible to all, rather than reserving it solely for a small elite. It is not so much a question of his intelligence as of his original way of thinking.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

One historical figure in science who naturally comes to mind is Albert Einstein, because of his story, his career path and his philosophy of thought. I admire the way he flouted many established norms in the world of physics. His career illustrates the importance of making science accessible to all, rather than reserving it solely for a small elite. It is not so much a question of his intelligence as of his original way of thinking.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

One historical figure in science who naturally comes to mind is Albert Einstein, because of his story, his career path and his philosophy of thought. I admire the way he flouted many established norms in the world of physics. His career illustrates the importance of making science accessible to all, rather than reserving it solely for a small elite. It is not so much a question of his intelligence as of his original way of thinking.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"We also see similar unconventional career paths among women scientists, at a time when they were excluded from science. For example, the French mathematician Sophie Germain had to use male pseudonyms to correspond with Legendre and Gauss. These obstacles shaped how these women worked and thought, leading them to develop strategies that differed from those of their male colleagues. Unfortunately, the role of women in science has long been overlooked.\u00a0 Closer to my own research field, this includes the women at NASA who performed essential calculations for rocket launches. Their story inspired the film Hidden Figures, which highlights their fundamental \u2013 yet long unrecognized \u2013 role in space exploration.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

We also see similar unconventional career paths among women scientists, at a time when they were excluded from science. For example, the French mathematician Sophie Germain had to use male pseudonyms to correspond with Legendre and Gauss. These obstacles shaped how these women worked and thought, leading them to develop strategies that differed from those of their male colleagues. Unfortunately, the role of women in science has long been overlooked.  Closer to my own research field, this includes the women at NASA who performed essential calculations for rocket launches. Their story inspired the film Hidden Figures<\/em>, which highlights their fundamental \u2013 yet long unrecognized \u2013 role in space exploration.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

We also see similar unconventional career paths among women scientists, at a time when they were excluded from science. For example, the French mathematician Sophie Germain had to use male pseudonyms to correspond with Legendre and Gauss. These obstacles shaped how these women worked and thought, leading them to develop strategies that differed from those of their male colleagues. Unfortunately, the role of women in science has long been overlooked.  Closer to my own research field, this includes the women at NASA who performed essential calculations for rocket launches. Their story inspired the film Hidden Figures<\/em>, which highlights their fundamental \u2013 yet long unrecognized \u2013 role in space exploration.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

We also see similar unconventional career paths among women scientists, at a time when they were excluded from science. For example, the French mathematician Sophie Germain had to use male pseudonyms to correspond with Legendre and Gauss. These obstacles shaped how these women worked and thought, leading them to develop strategies that differed from those of their male colleagues. Unfortunately, the role of women in science has long been overlooked.  Closer to my own research field, this includes the women at NASA who performed essential calculations for rocket launches. Their story inspired the film Hidden Figures<\/em>, which highlights their fundamental \u2013 yet long unrecognized \u2013 role in space exploration.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Mathematics is often seen as an extremely solitary pursuit. Yet today, research and laboratory life are increasingly collaborative. It has become, above all, a deeply human profession. With around 100,000 new theorems established each year, it is essential to promote one\u2019s work and make it known [Editor\u2019s note:\u00a0Contrary to a common misconception, mathematics is not a fixed body of knowledge to be learned once and for all. It is a constantly evolving discipline, with new results, questions, and methods emerging all the time.] This is where conferences come in; they can be seen as the social networks of the research world.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Mathematics is often seen as an extremely solitary pursuit. Yet today, research and laboratory life are increasingly collaborative. It has become, above all, a deeply human profession. With around 100,000 new theorems established each year, it is essential to promote one\u2019s work and make it known [Editor\u2019s note: Contrary to a common misconception, mathematics is not a fixed body of knowledge to be learned once and for all. It is a constantly evolving discipline, with new results, questions, and methods emerging all the time.]<\/em> This is where conferences come in; they can be seen as the social networks of the research world.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Mathematics is often seen as an extremely solitary pursuit. Yet today, research and laboratory life are increasingly collaborative. It has become, above all, a deeply human profession. With around 100,000 new theorems established each year, it is essential to promote one\u2019s work and make it known [Editor\u2019s note: Contrary to a common misconception, mathematics is not a fixed body of knowledge to be learned once and for all. It is a constantly evolving discipline, with new results, questions, and methods emerging all the time.]<\/em> This is where conferences come in; they can be seen as the social networks of the research world.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Mathematics is often seen as an extremely solitary pursuit. Yet today, research and laboratory life are increasingly collaborative. It has become, above all, a deeply human profession. With around 100,000 new theorems established each year, it is essential to promote one\u2019s work and make it known [Editor\u2019s note: Contrary to a common misconception, mathematics is not a fixed body of knowledge to be learned once and for all. It is a constantly evolving discipline, with new results, questions, and methods emerging all the time.]<\/em> This is where conferences come in; they can be seen as the social networks of the research world.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"This type of conference is all the more important as it allows young researchers to gain their first experience of presenting their work in a supportive environment, where they do not feel judged and can make mistakes. It\u2019s a way of gradually introducing oneself to the research community.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

This type of conference is all the more important as it allows young researchers to gain their first experience of presenting their work in a supportive environment, where they do not feel judged and can make mistakes. It\u2019s a way of gradually introducing oneself to the research community.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

This type of conference is all the more important as it allows young researchers to gain their first experience of presenting their work in a supportive environment, where they do not feel judged and can make mistakes. It\u2019s a way of gradually introducing oneself to the research community.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

This type of conference is all the more important as it allows young researchers to gain their first experience of presenting their work in a supportive environment, where they do not feel judged and can make mistakes. It\u2019s a way of gradually introducing oneself to the research community.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Being very good at mathematics is still essential, of course, but in my view it is no longer sufficient. The human dimension is becoming essential, all the more so with the rise of generative artificial intelligence. To draw a parallel with the past, mathematicians were once judged primarily on their computational ability \u2013 until the advent of computers. We may be undergoing a similar transformation with AI. [Editor\u2019s note: in the sense that value no longer lies solely in the technical output itself, but in the ability to ask the right questions, interpret the results and apply critical thinking to the generated answers.]","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Being very good at mathematics is still essential, of course, but in my view it is no longer sufficient. The human dimension is becoming essential, all the more so with the rise of generative artificial intelligence. To draw a parallel with the past, mathematicians were once judged primarily on their computational ability \u2013 until the advent of computers. We may be undergoing a similar transformation with AI. [Editor\u2019s note: in the sense that value no longer lies solely in the technical output itself, but in the ability to ask the right questions, interpret the results and apply critical thinking to the generated answers.]<\/em><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Being very good at mathematics is still essential, of course, but in my view it is no longer sufficient. The human dimension is becoming essential, all the more so with the rise of generative artificial intelligence. To draw a parallel with the past, mathematicians were once judged primarily on their computational ability \u2013 until the advent of computers. We may be undergoing a similar transformation with AI. [Editor\u2019s note: in the sense that value no longer lies solely in the technical output itself, but in the ability to ask the right questions, interpret the results and apply critical thinking to the generated answers.]<\/em><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Being very good at mathematics is still essential, of course, but in my view it is no longer sufficient. The human dimension is becoming essential, all the more so with the rise of generative artificial intelligence. To draw a parallel with the past, mathematicians were once judged primarily on their computational ability \u2013 until the advent of computers. We may be undergoing a similar transformation with AI. [Editor\u2019s note: in the sense that value no longer lies solely in the technical output itself, but in the ability to ask the right questions, interpret the results and apply critical thinking to the generated answers.]<\/em><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em><\/p>\n"}],"seo":{"title":"Thinking Outside the Box: Vincent Boulard, From School Phobia to Theorems"},"media":{"img":"\"Tunnel","src":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/MEDIATION2026_DDAP_FDS.jpg"},"url":"\/en\/articles\/thinking-outside-the-box-vincent-boulard-from-school-phobia-to-theorems\/","related":{"post":[],"author":[{"title":"Vincent Boulard","url":"\/en\/authors\/vincent-boulard\/","id":"10717","media":"\"\"","slug":"vincent-boulard"}],"subject":[{"title":"Digital Technology, Modeling & Artificial Intelligence","url":"\/en\/subjects\/digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence\/","id":"690","media":"\"\"","slug":"digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence"}],"category":[{"title":"Articles","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/articles\/","id":"1716","media":"","slug":"articles","_related_post_type":""},{"title":"Article collection","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/dossier\/","id":"1720","media":"","slug":"dossier","_related_post_type":"folder"}],"folder":[{"title":"Applied Mathematics: pathways for young researchers","url":"\/en\/folders\/applied-mathematics-pathways-for-young-researchers\/","id":"10721","media":"\"\"","slug":"applied-mathematics-pathways-for-young-researchers"}]},"translated":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/articles\/sortir-des-sentiers-battus-vincent-boulard-de-la-phobie-scolaire-aux-theoremes\/","icon":"icon-article","duration":"4","custom_excerpt":"From biology and physics to economics, engineering and many other fields, applied mathematics cuts across a wide range of disciplines, enabling us to model, understand, and solve complex problems. Yet far from the abstract image often associated with it, applied mathematics permeates everyday life and drives research at the heart of very concrete challenges. This feature gives voice to five young researchers in applied mathematics who took part in the Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics (CJC-MA)<\/a>. Drawing on their backgrounds and in their own words, they describe what led them to this field, the scientists who inspired them, and the importance of such a conference to them in their careers as young researchers.

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