Sylvie Debras

I’m a journalist and photographer ; I also host symposiums and forum theatre shows and do radio work. In 2003, I set up, produced and contributed to a hiking magazine. I’ve also worked as a teacher, from nursery school up to university level, been a researcher in information science, trained adults and worked as a tour guide.

I’m passionate about sharing knowledge, know-how and interpersonal skills. And once the day’s work is done, I like having the feeling that I’ve made a contribution – albeit minute – to changing the world.

My support network. I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a desire to understand. And I’ve always had an unusual amount of energy. A lot of good people have watched over me. Various colleagues at the university believed in my projects. And I’ve got a very close-knit circle of friends who are there for me. And the men in my life have also played their part !

A downside or obstacle ? My career has been held back because I’m a woman. There are so many obstacles to overcome and you always have to prove yourself, and you get very little professional recognition for it.

I’m proud that I’ve managed to commit passionately to so many different things and also raise my children and start studying again from the ages of 30 to 40, when I obtained a PhD in information science. I’m proud to have been a feminist for some 40 years and to conduct research in the field of women and media. The results of my work have been recognized by the scientific community and have confirmed feminist intuitions and observations. They’ve also had an impact on media professionals.