Guram Jurkhadze
Tbilisi Free University
Guram Jurkhadze is an Undergraduate student at the Tbilisi Free University and a member of the 2025 mentorship program. His policy memo, published with Kristine Zubtsova, titled “NATO’s Role in the Black Sea Region – Strategic Interests and Challenges,” explores the current security landscape of the Black Sea and presents the important strategic value of this region to Russia.
Mentorship Program 2025 Testimonial
Guram kindly shared his perspective on the mentorship program and highlighted the benefit that his participation had on his academic and professional development.
Can you tell me a little bit about your experience in the mentorship program?
At the beginning of our last semester, I was selected to participate in the EETN Mentorship Program recommended by our professor. My co-author, Kristine Zubtsova, and I chose to research the Black Sea Region and its security challenges, given our long-standing scholarly interest it was a natural fit for us. We then shared our plan and proposed structure with our mentor, who approved it. From there, we held weekly meetings with our mentor, during which he provided valuable feedback and recommendations. Working on this project with my co-author and mentor was a rewarding experience that allowed me to learn a great deal throughout the process.
What was the process of working with your mentor like? How did your relationship aid in the drafting of your policy memo?
I already had a good academic relationship with my mentor, which made it easy to work together during the drafting of the memo. It was a very insightful and interesting process. I enjoyed the exchange of ideas with a professional a lot.
How did this experience change the way that you think of academic work?
This experience taught me a lot about academic work, most importantly, it made me realize the nuances and depth of academic research. My mentor’s detailed feedback was especially impactful, as it showed just how much every detail truly matters. I also came to understand that academic work goes beyond simply writing – it is a process of research, discussion, understanding, and respect. Hearing different perspectives and my mentor’s insights significantly strengthened my critical thinking, which helped me in writing this memo and will continue to benefit me in my future endeavours.
How important was the mentorship program to you and your development as a young scholar?
The knowledge and skills I gained through the EETN Mentorship Program will be invaluable for both my academic and professional careers. Over these few months, I not only developed new skills but also improved existing ones – all of which are essential for a scholar. Becoming familiar with the level of detail and precision required in academic research has deepened my understanding of international relations, the way processes actually function, and the importance of teamwork in scholarly work.
What would you like future generations of young scholars enrolled in the mentorship program to know?
To future participants of the EETN Mentorship Program, I would say that this program is designed to help you grow both professionally and personally. It is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and sharpen your skills. Working closely with a mentor who is an expert in the field provides invaluable insight into how research is conducted and how the overall process is managed. We should never stop learning or striving toward new opportunities – and the EETN Mentorship Program gives you the perfect chance to do exactly that.
Read the Policy Memo
2 min read
NATO’s Role in the Black Sea Region – Strategic Interests and Challenges
This policy memo assesses the current security landscape of the Black Sea and presents the important strategic value of this region to Russia.