Name: Léa Delambre
Pronoun: She/her
Supervisor: Chiara Piazzesi, PhD.
Email address: delambre.lea@courrier.uqam.ca
Describe your research project in a few lines.
My research examines how young feminist women in heterosexual relationships perceive and experience their intimate partnerships within a contemporary context where feminist discourses coexist alongside romantic norms still structured by gender relations. My project seeks to analyze, on the one hand, the tensions between feminist dispositions and everyday relational practices, and on the other hand, the strategies (discursive, interactional, and organizational) that women mobilize to negotiate these tensions in their daily lives.
Can you share with us a memorable moment or experience from your academic journey?
Writing retreats are always memorable experiences. These moments transform my writing conditions by creating distance from daily demands, allowing for sustained focus and more structured writing. Sharing these retreats with other students also helps break the isolation often associated with academic work. Research ceases to be an individual activity and becomes part of a collective dynamic, enriched by presence, dialogue, and mutual support.
What is the most challenging aspect of your research or studies, and how do you overcome it?
The most demanding aspect of my academic journey has been maintaining a sense of confidence and intellectual legitimacy, particularly when imposter syndrome undermines my assurance in my ideas and slows my progress. To address this, I rely on both a structured and pragmatic writing organization (with realistic goals, planned work blocks, and regular progress tracking) and a posture of resilience that involves acknowledging more difficult periods without interpreting them as failure. I also discuss my work with colleagues and my supervisor, which helps me put doubts into perspective and sustain the continuity of my research.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I prioritize outdoor activities, which play a central role in my daily life. I enjoy trail running, ski touring, and cycling. I am also involved in my community, contributing to the democratization of sport and outdoor activities by participating in initiatives that broaden access to these practices and environments. Finally, I enjoy reading essays, literary works, and philosophical texts.
