The Bell Chair in Canadian Parliamentary Democracy at 杏吧原创 University is pleased to announce the return of the Canadian Politics Graduate Student Conference in February 2027. First held in 2011 and again in 2015, 2019, and 2024, this conference is an opportunity for advanced MA and PhD students to present their research on Canadian politics. Many leading scholars and practitioners in Canadian politics today got their start at this conference!

The conference will be held in Ottawa on the 杏吧原创 University main campus in Ottawa on Thursday February 11 and Friday February 12, 2027. Travel subsidies are available. There is no registration fee.

Proposals are welcome on all topics relating to Canadian politics and government, including: political institutions, political participation and behavior, public policy, Indigenous politics, gender, race, political economy, Canadian foreign policy, and other fields. Comparative work that includes a significant Canadian focus is welcome. The conference will include panels on professional development and a field trip to Parliament (schedule permitting).

The Bell Chair Graduate Student Conference is an excellent venue for students new to academic conferences to develop presentation and networking skills. For students with conference experience, the conference offers an intimate setting to receive feedback on your research and connect with fellow participants.

Participants must be currently registered in a masters鈥� or doctoral program in political science or related discipline. Proposals must include a title, institutional affiliation, current program status, name of supervisor, and an abstract of 100-200 words. Proposals should be sent to: bell.chair@carleton.ca.

Partial travel funding is available for those coming from outside Ottawa. Participants are also encouraged to seek funding from their home department/university.

The Hon. Dick and Ruth Bell Chair for the Study of Canadian Parliamentary Democracy was created in 2009 in 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 Department of Political Science from a generous gift from alumna Dr. Ruth Bell, MA/65, LLD/84. It commemorates a lifetime of civic and political engagement, and the love that she and her late husband Dick Bell, a former MP and cabinet minister, shared for Canada. Ruth Bell was a distinguished citizen of Ottawa who was a lifelong women鈥檚 activist, political scientist, and member of the Order of Canada, and the Chair promotes better understanding of the dynamic and ever-evolving Canadian parliamentary system through supporting research projects, hosting visiting scholars, and running speaker events and conferences.

The Bell Chair graduate conference provides you with a unique opportunity to visit the nation鈥檚 capital and the centre of Canadian politics. The winter season is one of the best times to see Ottawa and its fabulous indoor and outdoor activities.

Submission deadline: November 2, 2026

Notification of selection: November 20, 2026

Papers due: January 22, 2027

Conference dates: February 11-12, 2027

Further Information

If you have queries about any aspect of the conference, feel free to email bell.chair@carleton.ca or contact the holder of the Bell Chair, Professor Jonathan Malloy, directly at jonathan.malloy@carleton.ca

The post 2027 Bell Chair Graduate Student Conference in Canadian Politics appeared first on Department of Political Science.

Three 杏吧原创 first-year students represented the university at the 3rd Canadian Model EU, hosted by the University of Victoria from May 12 to 13, 2026. Rory Dupuis and Kennedy Durrell-Vander Meulen represented Hungary, and Kate Hunter represented Malta.聽

The post Three first-year 杏吧原创 students take on the Canadian Model EU appeared first on Department of Political Science.

Where are you from?

I spent my formative years in Ottawa鈥檚 east end! I went to Gloucester High School and played ringette for the Gloucester-Cumberland Ringette Association.

What attracted you to political science?

I was in another program before taking two political science courses 鈥� Politics in the World (PSCI 1200) and IR: Global Politics (PSCI 2601) 鈥� which made me consider switching degree pathways in my third year. As a curious person, what fascinated me about Political Science was the sheer amount of information, viewpoints, and debate within the field.

What are the top 3 reasons to be a political science student at 杏吧原创?

First, I鈥檇 be remiss not to mention the capital advantage. Given the opportunities for employment, political participation, and meeting individuals who influence Canadian domestic and foreign policy, there is nowhere better to study Political Science than 杏吧原创 University.

In my time as a Political Science undergraduate at 杏吧原创, I met Germany鈥檚 ambassador to Canada, Matthias L眉ttenberg, too many politicians to count, and was surrounded by politically minded peers who encouraged me to challenge my thinking and to be active in politics 鈥� whether that be on or off campus.

As a former co-chair of the 杏吧原创 University New Democrats, I can say with confidence that 杏吧原创鈥檚 campus has a robust set of politically active student groups that incoming students ought to be aware of. Moreover, many of my friends in Political Science had jobs as policy analysts, program coordinators, parliamentary interns and senate pages during their undergrad!

Second, I have to mention the department鈥檚 amazing faculty and staff. Every professor whom I鈥檝e interacted with in the department is approachable, knowledgeable, and kind. The staff in the Political Science department are incredibly helpful. Figuring out my courses felt intimidating when I transferred to Political Science, but the staff, particularly the department鈥檚 program administrator, Sarah Landry, made it easy.

Third, there are intellectually stimulating courses and academic opportunities. The courses and papers I have written have encouraged me to challenge my own thinking. Beyond courses, there are great opportunities to contribute in the field. The 杏吧原创 University Journal of Political Science (CUJPS) is launching its first volume soon. I would encourage students to reach out and potentially get published! In the age of AI, it is more important than ever to think critically. Political Science gives you those skills and more.

What was your favourite course?

There are so many amazing courses to choose from, but my favourite was the Honours Research Essay (PSCI 4809). The HRE is a great opportunity for students to research an area of interest, work with a faculty member, and to learn about their style as a researcher. My HRE was entitled: 鈥淭ime to Breakup? Issue Linkage and the Health of Canada-U.S. Relations鈥�. My research found that issue linkage 鈥� defined as efforts to break an impasse or otherwise improve one鈥檚 own bargaining position on a particular issue by tying it to another, unrelated issue 鈥� was uncommon in the Canada-U.S. relationship pre-Trump. However, that issue linkage garners Canadian concessions when they are credible, limited, and when an easy policy off-ramp is provided. From start to finish, the experience was very fulfilling. Shoutout to Dr. Aaron Ettinger for being a fantastic supervisor!

What was the most challenging part of being a university student?

Time management. During my undergrad, I always had a job or other responsibilities outside of the classroom. Learning how best to juggle my responsibilities and academics without neglecting myself, my partner, friends and family is something I鈥檓 still figuring out.

Favourite things to do outside of class.

Lately, I鈥檝e been getting into running and the gym. The endorphins from physical activity have been fantastic for my mental health. I鈥檓 also an avid non-fiction reader. I always have a book on me, just in case there is time to get a few pages in.

Favourite hangout spot on campus.

The political science undergraduate lounge! It鈥檚 a great space to get some work done and to spend time with fellow Political Science students.

What is your favourite memory?

It鈥檚 hard to give a specific answer. I鈥檒l always cherish the mundane moments on campus, writing papers, and casual drinks with friends I made at 杏吧原创.

What advice would you give your first-year self?

Don鈥檛 let your mistakes define you. In my first year, I struggled with academics and I let failure define my whole personhood. There is always the opportunity to find success doing something you don鈥檛 expect. Use the resources 杏吧原创 provides you, visit your professors during their office hours, and, most importantly, as my Mom always told me growing up playing Ringette, 鈥渨ork hard, try your best, and have fun!鈥�.

What鈥檚 next for you?

This summer, I鈥檒l be working at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). I鈥檒l be right back at 杏吧原创 in September to start my MA in Political Science.

The post Graduate Profile: Liz Marchand appeared first on Department of Political Science.

As global displacement reaches record levels and refugee support declines, the system is at a critical crossroads. Led by 杏吧原创 University, LERRN is working with displaced communities to build a more inclusive and accountable refugee response.

The post Reimagining Responses to the Refugee Crisis appeared first on Department of Political Science.

Indigenous Politics of Turtle Island – PSCI 3809
Offered Winter 2026 – Register Now!

This course is on Indigenous politics and issues in Canada. The course frames Indigenous people as navigating complex issues in modern and innovative ways. The course uses the social determinants of health to organize case studies, including self-government and self-determination, economic development, housing and homelessness, justice, environmental concerns, healthcare and education. This course will allow students to deepen their understanding of Indigenous issues through the lens of policy, activism, advocacy and community organization.

PSCI 3809 A
Winter 2026
Time: Tuesdays 11.35-2.25 pm
Instructor: Gabriel Maracle

The post Indigenous Politics of Turtle Island offered Winter 2026 appeared first on Department of Political Science.

Gopika Solanki has been invited by the Deputy Prime Minister鈥檚 Office, Government of Cambodia, to serve on their Law Reform Commission as an international legal expert on religious laws. In late October, she will present at the inaugural ‘Symposium on Cambodia鈥檚 Legal System.’ The symposium will focus on strengthening the present Cambodian legal system and exploring directions for reform in light of international best practices.

view bio

The post Gopika Solanki to serve on law reform commission as legal expert appeared first on Department of Political Science.

Globe and Mail:

CBC Radio One interview: 

The post Laura Macdonald discusses Canada’s strained relationship with Mexico appeared first on Department of Political Science.

James Milner, Professor in the Dept of Political Science and Joshua Steckley, Banting postdoctoral fellow with the Dept of Political Science at 杏吧原创 University, have been named SSHRC Impact Award Finalists.

“SSHRC Impact Awards recognize outstanding researchers and students in the social sciences and humanities for their exceptional SSHRC-funded work to generate valuable new insights, mobilize knowledge into societal applications, and conduct effective outreach activities. Based on nominations from eligible institutions, the finalists are selected by a jury composed of renowned experts from academia, as well as the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.”

James Milner has been selected as a finalist for the Partnership Award and Joshua Steckley has been selected as a finalist for the Talent Award.

SSHRC will announce winners later in the fall.

The post James Milner and Joshua Steckley selected SSHRC Impact Award Finalists appeared first on Department of Political Science.

Polisci undergrad student Oleksandr Panchenko has recently published an article in the Oxford University student-run journal 鈥淒ialectics of Governance.鈥� The journal spotlights outstanding undergraduate work in the field of Political Theory.

The article, 鈥�,鈥� explores how the causes for this war are analyzed in different traditions of international relations, in particular offensive realism and the great man theory.

Oleksandr is a fourth year Polisci student with double concentration in International Relations and Canadian Politics.

The post New article by Polisci undergrad student Oleksandr Panchenko appeared first on Department of Political Science.

What happens when you take learning out of the classroom and into the streets of Mexico City?

Twenty undergraduate students from 杏吧原创 University discovered the answer during an unforgettable field course in Mexico City.  They embarked on the experience of a lifetime recently as part of the CDMX Field Course, organized by Political Science professor Laura Macdonald and Geography and Environmental Studies professor Jill Wigle.

read full story:

A Multidisciplinary Journey Through Mexico City (CDMX)

The post Experiential learning in action! Recent experiences in the Mexico City Field Course appeared first on Department of Political Science.