Marion Cossin headshot

Marion Cossin (she/her)

Research Engineer

Centre for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer

Created On: August 7, 2024
Sector:
Engineering,  Technology
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Drama,  French,  Physical Education,  Science,  Technology & Engineering
Readability:
8.17

Learn About My Career

I do research on how acrobats use their equipment and explore the design of new circus equipment and improve the performances.

I was born/grew up in:  I was born in Épinal, France

I now live in:  I currently live in Montreal, Quebec

I completed my training/education at:  After high school, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in France, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Polytechnique Montréal, and a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Université de Montréal.

I am a research engineer at the Centre for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (CRITAC). It's very difficult for me to describe a typical day, because I don't really have one. Most of the time, I work on the design of new circus equipment. Circus artists or companies contact me with their ideas and projects. Then my team and I work to bring their ideas to life. 

I also do digital work. I create circus shows in virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR). Then I measure the emotional impact these shows can have on the audience. To do this, I measure their physiological reactions (e.g., breathing, heart rate). At other times, I explore motion capture technologies that are adapted to the circus arts. 

I also work on biomechanical aspects of circus. To do this, I analyse and try to understand how an acrobats' body moves on different equipment. I use this information to design more ergonomic circus equipment. 

My responsibilities go far beyond what I do on a day-to-day basis in my company. When I'm not busy with circus-related tasks, I supervise several master's and doctoral students during their internships. I also publish scientific articles, apply for grants, and take part in conferences and symposia.

I did an internship in industry during my first year at the engineering school. During this time, I realised that I was not meant for this. So I had to question all my career choices. I decided to do an internship in arts, as this was something I liked. The following year, I finally had the opportunity to do my internship at the Opéra de Lyon. After that, I worked in the performing arts (theatre, festivals, etc.) in Montreal. Then I did an internship at the National Circus School. I continued my studies and obtained my Master's degree in circus arts. Then I completed my doctorate. And now I am doing my dream job at CRITAC.

I'm passionate about everything I do. I love being part of and helping the circus arts community. I also enjoy working with professionals in different fields. For example, researchers, artists, technicians and so on. 

I also enjoy setting up research projects, supervising students, testing technologies and creating prototypes. What excites me most is that my job is not routine. Every project has its challenges, and it's up to us to find the best way to solve them.

I've found my dream job! I feel I have a real impact on the well-being and safety of artists. I also help them bring their artistic projects to life. It's fantastic!

I do Latin dance competitions. I also run the ComSciCon-Qc association. For three days each year, the association offers conferences and workshops on scientific communication for graduate students.

Try to find an internship or other job in this field so that you understand it. Get to know all the trades in the field. This includes circus technicians, stage managers, scenographers, sound and light specialists, designers, etc.). There are so many jobs in the performing arts!

What I do at work

I am a research engineer at the Centre for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (CRITAC). It's very difficult for me to describe a typical day, because I don't really have one. Most of the time, I work on the design of new circus equipment. Circus artists or companies contact me with their ideas and projects. Then my team and I work to bring their ideas to life. 

I also do digital work. I create circus shows in virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR). Then I measure the emotional impact these shows can have on the audience. To do this, I measure their physiological reactions (e.g., breathing, heart rate). At other times, I explore motion capture technologies that are adapted to the circus arts. 

I also work on biomechanical aspects of circus. To do this, I analyse and try to understand how an acrobats' body moves on different equipment. I use this information to design more ergonomic circus equipment. 

My responsibilities go far beyond what I do on a day-to-day basis in my company. When I'm not busy with circus-related tasks, I supervise several master's and doctoral students during their internships. I also publish scientific articles, apply for grants, and take part in conferences and symposia.

My career path is

I did an internship in industry during my first year at the engineering school. During this time, I realised that I was not meant for this. So I had to question all my career choices. I decided to do an internship in arts, as this was something I liked. The following year, I finally had the opportunity to do my internship at the Opéra de Lyon. After that, I worked in the performing arts (theatre, festivals, etc.) in Montreal. Then I did an internship at the National Circus School. I continued my studies and obtained my Master's degree in circus arts. Then I completed my doctorate. And now I am doing my dream job at CRITAC.

I am motivated by

I'm passionate about everything I do. I love being part of and helping the circus arts community. I also enjoy working with professionals in different fields. For example, researchers, artists, technicians and so on. 

I also enjoy setting up research projects, supervising students, testing technologies and creating prototypes. What excites me most is that my job is not routine. Every project has its challenges, and it's up to us to find the best way to solve them.

How I affect peoples’ lives

I've found my dream job! I feel I have a real impact on the well-being and safety of artists. I also help them bring their artistic projects to life. It's fantastic!

Outside of work I

I do Latin dance competitions. I also run the ComSciCon-Qc association. For three days each year, the association offers conferences and workshops on scientific communication for graduate students.

My advice to others

Try to find an internship or other job in this field so that you understand it. Get to know all the trades in the field. This includes circus technicians, stage managers, scenographers, sound and light specialists, designers, etc.). There are so many jobs in the performing arts!

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Art
  • Math
  • Science
  • Technology

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Played on a sports team
  • Was motivated by success
  • Like being given free range to explore my ideas
  • Liked reading
  • Was really creative
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Wasn't sure what I wanted to do

Related Topics

Augmented Reality Biomedical Engineering Carrières en systèmes mécaniques Information and Communication Technologies Mechanical Engineering Research Methods Technology Virtual Reality

Explore More Career Profiles

  • headshot of Sarra Filali

    Sarra Filali

    Career Profiles

    Doctoral Student, Science, Technology and Society

    I'm a PhD student, specializing in the relationship between science, technology and society.
    Learn More Sarra Filali
  • Hugo Asselin headshot

    Hugo Asselin (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Full Professor

    I do research and teach university courses.
    Learn More Hugo Asselin (he/him)
  • Charles Bricout headshot

    Charles Bricout (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Applied Science

    I'm a graduate student, and my program includes a major research project supervised by a professor.
    Learn More Charles Bricout (he/him)
  • Sonia Francoeur headshot

    Sonia Francoeur

    Career Profiles

    Business Manager

    I manage sales of laboratory products for part of Quebec and the Ottawa region.
    Learn More Sonia Francoeur
  • Marion Cossin headshot

    Marion Cossin (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Research Engineer

    I do research on how acrobats use their equipment and explore the design of new circus equipment and improve the performances.
    Learn More Marion Cossin (she/her)
  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Frederic Le Pimpec headshot

    Frédéric Le Pimpec

    Career Profiles

    Accelerator Operations and Development Manager

    I am responsible for the proper functioning, maintenance and updates of the synchrotron accelerator chain at the Canadian Light Source.
    Learn More Frédéric Le Pimpec
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)