At AQEIPS, we continue to be proud of the achievements of students who break down barriers and change the rules. We are delighted to highlight the achievements of Rivelie Tchuisseu, recipient of an AQEIPS bursary in 2024, now a Knight of the National Order of Quebec!
A commitment to gender equality in scientific circles
Rivellie’s inspiring journey is marked by an inclusive vision that stems from both her academic commitments and her professional career. A doctoral student in environmental sciences at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), she is actively involved in promoting access to scientific and agricultural fields for women, which is also the subject of her thesis.
Rivellie is the founder of Seedcha, a consulting firm specializing in agricultural and environmental policy. She has led several projects with the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPAQ) and has also contributed to work for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Rivellie’s work and collaborations promote sustainable agriculture, food security, and gender equality in the agricultural sector, while contributing to the reputation of Quebec and the next generation of female scientists.
To learn more about her work : Rivellie Tchuisseu – Ordre national du Québec
Photo credit : Nathalie St-Pierre, UQAM
“I move forward with the conviction that my voice matters and that my difference is a source of richness.”
Recipient of an AQEIPS bursary in 2024, aimed at supporting and encouraging the academic journeys of students with disabilities in postsecondary education, Rivellie, who is hard of hearing with total hearing loss in her right ear and partial hearing loss in her left ear, emphasizes the importance of community engagement and volunteering as ways to build a society that reflects our diversity.
“My post-secondary education has been a journey of perseverance and challenges. Living with a disability since early childhood, I learned very early on to cope with a world that is often ill-equipped to deal with difference.
Being a Black woman, an immigrant, a mother, and a person with a disability in the professional and academic world is not easy. But I move forward with the conviction that my voice matters and that my difference is a source of strength. I find in my work and education a space for empowerment, but also for struggle, where each step taken carries the weight of a battle, but also the light of a victory. I can count on caring people and resources such as those provided by AQEIPS, which allow me to aim high.
Today, as a consultant, entrepreneur, and doctoral student in environmental sciences, committed to women in science, I am proud of how far I have come. Receiving the title of Knight of the National Order of Quebec is much more than recognition for me: it is a sign that the diversity of our backgrounds enriches our society and that excellence has many faces. Together, we are building a Quebec that shines here and elsewhere!”
The AQEIPS team would like to congratulate Rivellie on her achievements! We would also like to thank her for her commitment, which has had a significant impact on equity and inclusion in scientific circles and will continue to inspire the next generation of students in all their diversity.