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2025 Award for Excellence in Supervision: Andréanne Doyon

As Associate Professor in the School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM) and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Environment, Dr. Andréanne Doyon is recognized for her exceptional graduate mentorship, blending academic excellence, advocacy, and accessibility. Her supervision style is deeply student-centered, empowering graduate students to pursue meaningful research while receiving the support and guidance needed to thrive.

Since joining SFU in 2019, Doyon has supervised ten graduate students to completion, currently mentors eight more across REM and Urban Studies programs and co-supervised two students outside of SFU. Her students formed the research group ANANAS—Advancing New Approaches and Narratives Around Sustainability—a name that reflects both the collaborative spirit and the innovative focus of their work. Topics span environmental planning, energy transitions, and reconciliation, and the group meets regularly to share research, workshop proposals, and prepare for conferences and defenses.

Doyon’s mentorship is grounded in regular one-on-one meetings, collaborative project design, and a commitment to professional development. She encourages students to take ownership of their research questions while providing structure and support to ensure academic rigor. Her lab culture fosters peer learning and mutual encouragement, contributing to a remarkable track record of success in competitive scholarship applications.

PhD student Will Niver says, “When I was exploring PhD programs, Andréanne was one of the few professors who responded to my cold email—and she did so with a thoughtful invitation to chat. Her advocacy made it possible for me to accept SFU’s offer and move my family across the continent. She fought for the Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship on my behalf, connected me to teaching assistantships, workshops, and conferences, and even supported my hiring as a limited-term lecturer. Her support has been constant, and her belief in her students is matched by her tireless efforts to help them succeed.”

Niver adds, “Three themes define Andréanne’s mentorship: advocacy, guidance, and accessibility. And that accessibility isn’t limited to her own lab—REM students across the program seek her out for support with job searches, planning advice, and more. In my first three years in the lab, every student who applied for a CGS SSHRC award was successful. The key was those lab meetings, where we pushed one another toward sharper writing and clearer proposals.”

PhD student Anwen Rees, who also completed her master’s under Doyon’s supervision, says, “Andréanne is genuinely a joy to work with. She is structured, highly organized, responsive, and accessible. She always makes time for her students and truly cares about them. She constantly looks for opportunities to elevate our work and encourages us to do our best. Her ‘open door’ policy even extends to students beyond her lab.”

A group of current and former students—Alli Di Giovanni, Simonne Mikolay, Alison Gu, Wesley Chenne, and Mieke Boecker—echo this sentiment in a joint letter of support.

They write, “From our very first meeting, before even applying to the REM program, Andréanne was a beaming example of an attentive and supportive academic leader. She goes above and beyond for potential students before they’re even hers. She introduced us to existing lab members to help us feel connected to the program and created a transparent, empowering learning environment. Her supervision is tailored to each student’s goals and obligations, and her editorial support on SSHRC applications is unmatched. Behind the scenes, she works to increase the percentage of racialized students in REM and actively seeks ways to reduce systemic barriers. It truly feels as though we can approach Andréanne with any problem, academic or personal, and she would be there for us. This is an incredible, and unparalleled, gift.”

Doyon sees her role as both academic supervisor and professional mentor. She tailors opportunities to each student’s goals, connecting them with networks, internships, and teaching experiences that align with their aspirations. She also maintains high expectations for student work, resulting in co-authored peer-reviewed publications and impactful contributions to the field.

“My goal,” says Doyon, “is to provide academic training alongside professional mentorship. I collaborate with students to shape research projects that reflect their interests and long-term goals, and I advocate for opportunities that support their growth—whether within my lab or beyond.”

We congratulate Dr. Andréanne Doyon on receiving the Dean of Graduate Studies Award for Excellence in Supervision. Her dedication to mentorship, advocacy, and inclusive academic leadership continues to empower the next generation of environmental leaders.

The 2026 Graduate Studies Awards for Excellence are opening soon for nominations. Nominations will be accepted from November 1, 2025 until 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2026.