Arielle Vidal

Arielle Vidal is a Research Lecturer at the Purpan Engineering School (INP - PURPAN) and a permanent member of the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Solidarity, Societies, Territories (LISST) at University Toulouse 2. Her academic work focuses on the intersection of agricultural systems, rural development, and environmental sustainability, particularly in Mediterranean and West African contexts.

Dr. Vidal's research interests span agroecology, rural dynamics, animal husbandry (especially dairy sheep production), agropastoral systems, organic agriculture, and food systems. Her work examines the sociotechnical dimensions of agricultural transitions, with particular attention to how farming practices evolve in response to market demands, environmental constraints, and policy frameworks. She has conducted extensive research in both France (particularly in the Grands Causses region of southern France) and West Africa (notably Burkina Faso).

Her research reveals important insights into the complexities of agroecological transitions, showing that while organic conversion can facilitate certain aspects of ecological sustainability, it may also lead to trade-offs in other areas such as reduced grazing on natural pastures. Her work emphasizes the importance of understanding local contexts and sociotechnical systems when designing agricultural transition pathways.

Dr. Vidal has contributed significantly to the Dictionary of Agroecology published by INRAE with entries on regenerative agriculture, natural mating, self-medication in pasture, and resilience. Her publication trends show a consistent focus on analyzing agricultural transitions through processual analysis, with increasing attention to bio-sourced sectors and food diversity in recent years.

She has received recognition for her contributions through numerous publications in reputable journals including Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, Tropical Animal Health and Production, and Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement. Her 2022 paper on organic conversion in ewe's milk production systems has been particularly influential.

Dr. Vidal actively collaborates with researchers across disciplines and institutions, frequently working with Charles-Henri Moulin, Marie-Odile Nozières-Petit, Amandine Lurette, and Eric Vall. She has supervised multiple students and contributed to research projects examining how livestock farming contributes to agricultural and food diversity, with particular attention to the cultural and nutritional roles of meat in our diet.

Her current research explores the re-emergence of bio-sourced sectors in France, particularly examining how agricultural operations contribute to the development of hemp, leather, and wool sectors in Occitanie, while addressing challenges related to territorial anchoring and quality standards in luxury industries.