lavellot:

I think we all know about super smart “university professor in modern AU” Dorian and Solas, but let’s not forget that Vivienne de Fer is a well recognized scholar in her own right:

Her first companion quest is asking you to find Circle of Magi tomes because the thought of “priceless books in the hands of scavengers” in her words “makes her sick.”

She admits that she transferred the Montsimmard Circle not just for the Game but for the intellectual challenge (like she literally says this), AND she praises that Circle specifically because they have the best catalog of books in all of Southern Thedas (yes, the best Circle library outside Tevinter) 

All the mages in Orlais recognize her as a highly talented mage and scholar and her intellect was enough to not only get her promoted to First Enchanter at a young age, but enough that she was named Imperial Court Enchanter – which includes serving not only as a political advisor, but an on-call alchemist.

And, just by the way:

(yeah, she just whipped together a little youth serum with advanced alchemy your Circle Mage Inquisitor can’t wrap their head around)

so I humbly propose that your DA!University AU has Vivienne in a science lab as a brilliant chemist – up late at night with modernAU Solas and Dorian as well, arguing late into the night about magical theory and application. 

(Also have a feeling she wouldn’t try to argue with Solas re: the Fade in certain aspects, like she knows that Solas is very knowledgeable on that, but don’t test Vivienne on alchemy, because she. will. destroy. you.)