Friday 13th June, Dr Genevieve Patenaude, Earth Blox. Twenty Years, a Winding Path, and the Joy of Following Your North Star
To round off the 2025/25 academic year we have another exceptional speaker joining us: Dr. Genevieve Patenaude, CEO and Co-Founder of Earth Blox. Genevieve will be providing some candid insights into her journey from academia into entrepreneurship, and sharing the lessons learnt along the way.
Join us on Friday the 13th of June at 5pm in our traditional venue, room 2.13 in the Institute of Geography, Drummond Street, EH8 9XP. Afterwards we will be head to the Pleasance Beer Garden (weather permitting) for networking drinks. The talk will also be shared on zoom; details will follow closer to the date.
Find more information and register directly with Edinburgh Earth Observatory
Twenty Years, a Winding Path, and the Joy of Following Your North Star
Join me for a look back at two decades in academia and into the startup world, a journey that’s been anything but conventional. From my early days falling in love with physics and the wilderness, to understanding biodiversity in Panama’s Darien region (expect some nasty bud flies stories), to finding my niche in remote sensing & entrepreneurship, I’ll share the unexpected twists and turns that shaped my career and how the IPCC and my own children sharpened my focus on climate, nature and the future.
This talk isn’t a typical academic presentation, but rather a candid reflection on what I’ve learned: that failure is part of the journey, that empathy, the connections you make, and the team you’re part of are what truly counts, that business has a crucial role in solving global challenges, and that sometimes, the best thing you can do is just jump and follow that gut feeling. I’ll offer some honest insights into the world of startups. Expect a few laughs, some valuable entrepreneurship lessons, and a heartfelt thank you to the many friends and colleagues who made this adventure so rewarding. Whether you’re just starting out or looking back on your own journey, I hope my story inspires you to embrace your unique path and truly love what you do.