Adam Vanbergen became an Editor-in-Chief of Agricultural and Forest Entomology in 2020. He works at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment and is one of our experts on pollinators. Read on below to find out what inspires him, how he became an entomologist, and what his favourite insect is!
Tell us a bit about the person behind the title Editor-in-Chief.
A career highlight was being one of the lead authors of the IPBES thematic assessment on pollinators and pollination and their role in food production. It gave me the chance to work with global experts and to present our key messages to both the IPBES (Kuala Lumpar) and CBD-SBSTTA (Montreal) general assemblies.
How did your academic career develop, and what led you to entomology in particular?
I had a meandering pathway into science. Destined for art college age 18, I decided that was not for me, but had little clue what was. I took up job as a lifeguard/swimming teacher and during the next several years I mixed that with travelling widely (Africa, India). During and following that time, I reconnected with my childhood interest in nature, obtained a (part-time) A level in Biology and then my BSc Environmental Biology from the University of Greenwich. It was there, that I realized ecology and entomology was for me and after graduation, I got a research assistant job with UK CEH (thanks to Allan Watt and Sue Hartley), then a PhD (part-time) with Hefin Jones at Cardiff. I left CEH in 2018 for a senior position at INRAE in France (Dijon). Ecological entomology appealed to me because of the evolution and complexity of interactions involving insects. During my career I have worked on invertebrate communities and interactions in forest and agricultural ecosystems, this diversity of topics keeps me stimulated.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Leading large European projects, mentoring young people, and I still get a kick out of publishing our (science is collaborative) research.
What do you appreciate the most about being involved with the RES?
Networking with colleagues worldwide and obtaining insights into publishing.
What is the best part of your role as EiC of your journal?
The chance to help others get published and to contribute to improving the quality of the submissions to the journal.
What has been your most exciting or interesting research discovery? Why?
We showed that introducing cattle to birch woods changed vegetation in ways that modified host-parasitoid interactions and plant-pollinator interactions and wild plant mating success (gene flow). I like this example of the interconnectedness of human actions, biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
“My most inspiring friend is someone who, in 1993, gave me the encouragement to believe that I could go to university. I was the first in my family and was daunted at the time. My life would have been very different without his encouragement and faith in me.”
Many entomologists travel widely – what was the most enjoyable fieldwork location you’ve worked in, and would you recommend it for a holiday?
East Africa, I love it there and besides travelling I went there as an undergrad student to help conduct a biodiversity hotspot inventory (East Usambara mountains, Tanzania). I have also been lucky enough to track hyenas in the Masai Mara and catch reindeer from a skidoo in Svalbard by helping friends/colleagues in their fieldwork (I did see some insects too!).
What’s your favourite insect and why?
I will go with Panolis flammea (my first paper) and Isotomiella minor – my favourite collembolan (easy to ID 😉) and a perfect example of the unglamourous yet vital soil fauna.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
To click my fingers and cure humanity of xenophobia!
What is the best piece of advice you received as an ECR?
That science takes all sorts of people and skills, there is a place for you, be proactive and team-up to achieve things together.
Where are you hoping your research (or career) will take you next?
I have just started coordinating a large European research project (AGRI4POL- Promoting sustainable agriculture for pollinators https://agri4pol.eu/ ) and I would really like this to make a difference.
If you could wake up with any new skill, what would it be?
Touch-typing – I am too lazy to learn.
What motto do you live your life by?
Do your best/Be pragmatic/Try and be nice.
Quickfire Questions
Emmanuel’s favourite:
- Place? Edinburgh – it’s where we got married and had our family.
- Food? Curry / œufs en meurette
- Drink? Coffee
- Book? So many… Beatrice & Virgil by Yann Martel – incredible.
- Song/album/musician (you choose)? According to mood: Beethoven/Massive Attack/Radiohead/Nina Simone…
- Film? Aargh, OK – The Usual Suspects
- Sport? Rugby Union or Squash.
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