Margaux Knoerr
University of Ottawa
Margaux Knoerr has recently completed her Undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa in conflict studies and human rights. She was a member of the 2025 mentorship program working under the supervision of Dr. Jean-François Ratelle.
Mentorship Program 2025 Testimonial
Margaux kindly shared her perspective on the mentorship program and highlighted the benefit that her participation had on her academic and professional development.
Can you tell me a little bit about your experience in the mentorship program?
This was my first time being part of a mentorship program, and it turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Over six months, I had regular check-ins with Dr. Ratelle that kept me focused and motivated. The guidance I received not only strengthened my writing but also gave me confidence in my work. The entire process was flexible, and the publication of our piece moved forward quickly. The program enhanced my skills and gave me valuable professional growth.
What was the process of working with your mentor like? How did your relationship aid in the drafting of your policy memo?
My mentor was one of my professors at the University of Ottawa, someone I had the pleasure of learning from multiple times during my undergraduate degree. Having that prior academic connection made the mentorship especially meaningful, as he already understood my interests and strengths. We met regularly, beginning with open discussions on potential topics. He encouraged me to pursue the ideas I was most passionate about and offered insightful suggestions to shape my direction. Our process was very collaborative. I would draft sections, we would review them together, and I would rework the writing based on his feedback.
Around the midpoint, we decided to co-author the piece as my mentor had datasets that helped strengthen my research, and we continued to work closely together to finalize the analysis. This experience deepened our working relationship and gave me valuable insight into the research and drafting process. His continuous support and encouragement reinforced my confidence and inspired me to pursue further opportunities in policy writing.
How has this experience changed the way that you think of academic work?
This experience didn’t drastically change how I view academic work, but it continued to reinforce my belief in the importance of writing with clarity, purpose, and an awareness of the audience and objectives. I found it rewarding to apply the knowledge I had gained during my studies and to see how it could be further strengthened through this mentorship.
How important was the mentorship program to you and your development as a young scholar?
This mentorship was incredibly important to my development as a young scholar. It gave me the chance to complete my first publication and helped me realize that this type of writing is something I want to continue pursuing. Being able to publish on a topic that matters to me at a relatively early stage in my career is very rewarding, and it opened the door to other opportunities to share research more widely. This experience also enhanced my professional network, something especially valuable as I prepare to enter the workforce. Working alongside a mentor I look up to and ultimately co-authoring a publication together was a meaningful experience and very rewarding.
What would you like future generations of young scholars enrolled in the mentorship program to know?
To future scholars in this program, I would say this program is an excellent learning opportunity. You will sharpen your research and communication skills, and you’ll learn a thing or two about yourself in the process. The writing process takes time and rarely follows a straightforward path. Your direction may shift more than once, but that’s part of the growth. And always remember that your mentor is there to guide you, so never hesitate to ask questions or seek support along the way!
Read the Memo
2 min read
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