Graduate student profiles

PhD students

Meet our current students in the PhD in Political Science program.

Eleanor McGrath

Eleanor McGrath

Previous Degrees: 

Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University

Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University

Research Interests:

Reproductive politics, health policy, Canadian politics.

My doctoral research examines historical and contemporary attempts to improve data collection on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. 

Di Rao

Kelly Rao

Previous Degrees: 

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Double Minor in Public Law and International Development from University of Toronto

Master of Arts in Political Science from University of Toronto

Research Interests:

Judicial Politics, Constitutionalism, Canadian Public Policy, Federalism, Charter Politics, Indigenous Politics, Comparative Legal Systems, Political Theory, Canadian and American Legal History

Ryan Catney

Ryan Catney

Previous Degrees: 

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Queen’s University

Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University,

Master of Arts in History from Queen’s University

Research Interests:

Social Policy, the Welfare State, American Politics, Canadian Politics, Public Policy, Conservatism, Political Economy, Inequality, Historical Political Development, Provincial and State Politics

Ilona Dougherty

Ilona Doughtery

Previous Degrees: 

Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) in Community Public Affairs & Policy Studies and Contemporary Dance and with a membership in the School of Community and Public Affairs from Concordia University

Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation from University of Waterloo.

Research Interests:

Public Policy, Canadian Politics, Youth-focused Policy, Strategy and Programs, Civic Engagement

Mohamed Elgayar

Mohamed Elgayar

Previous Degrees: 

Master of Arts in Political Science from Dalhousie University, NS 

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from Dalhousie University, NS

Research Interests:

Conflicts in the developing world and changes in developmental as well as foreign policies of the post-Arab Spring MENA region.

Clare McKendry

Clare McKendry

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from University of Guelph
Master of Arts in Political Science from University of Guelph

Research Interests:

Foreign Policy, Chinese Politics, International Law, China-Japan Relations, Critical Security Studies, Territorial and Maritime Disputes, Lawfare and Human Rights. 

Nancy Hills

Nancy Hills

Previous Degrees:

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy from University of Guelph

Bachelor of Arts (Honors), Major in Criminal Justice, Public Policy and Political Science from University of Guelph 

Research Interests:

Law and Politics, Judicial Process, Rights Talk.

Hao Xi

Hao Xi

Previous Degrees:

Master of Arts in Political Science from University of Toronto

Master of Law, Major in Chinese and Foreign Political Institution from Peking University, China 

Bachelor of Law, Major in Political Science and Administration from China University of Political Science and Law

Research Interests:

Comparative Politics and Political Economy, with a focus on intergovernmental relations and their implications for governance outcomes (e.g. public goods supply and accountability) in Canada and China. Currently investigating how these relations impact local state strategies within multi-layered governmental structures, particularly in the realm of infrastructure policy. 

Dustin Fergusson-Vaux (he/him)

Dustin Fergusson-Vaux

Previous Degrees:

Master of Arts, Political Science from University of Waterloo

Joint Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Economics from Simon Fraser University

Diploma, Stagecraft & Event Technology from Douglas College

Research Interests:

International and Canadian political economy, credit policies and the state-finance nexus, Canada-CARICOM relations, Canadian migration policy, critical macro-finance, climate finance and the Blue Economy.

My doctoral research explores the battery of drivers (ideas, institutions and interests) behind epistemically distinct credit policy regimes in conjunction with postwar Canadian industrial transitions. Through my doctorate I seek to gain a clearer understanding of how the state-finance nexus is managed in conjunction with coalitional politics endemic to modern representative democracies.

Achievements:

Presentation entitled "Making the Next Great Transformation: Systemic Coordination Challenges for Green Transition Policymaking in Advanced Economy States," delivered at the Waterloo Climate Institute's 1st Annual Climate Con, March 16th, 2024.

Presentation entitled "The Return of the State: The Incipient Fiscal Status-Quo and its Progressive Policy Implications," delivered at the Queens University PSGSA's Annual Graduate Conference, June 26th, 2024.

Forthcoming presentation entitled "From 'Special Relationship' to 'Strategic Partnership': Prospects for the Future of Canada-CARICOM Relations in a Polarizing Global Political Economy," to be delivered at the Canada Caribbean Institute's 3rd Annual Research Symposium, October 16th-19th, 2024

MA students

Meet our current students in the MA Political Science program.

James Piers

James Piers

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from Mount Allison University, Minor in International Politics.

Research Interests:

Canadian Environmental Policy, Global Governance, International Relations. 

Conor Columb

Conor Columb

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science, Minor in North American Studies and Philosophy from Wilfrid Laurier University

Research Interests:

Canadian Politics, Political Parties, Political Leadership, Voting Behaviour, Campaigns and Elections, Democracy 

Zoya Hashim

Zoya Hashim

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sociology and Anthropology from Lahore University  of Management Sciences, Pakistan

Research Interests:

Climate and Environment Policy, International Development and Gender.  

Zachary Doiron

Zachary Doiron

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Development Studies from St. Francis Xavier University, NS

Research Interests:

International Affairs and US Politics

Michael Rossi

Michael Rossi

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a specialization in Law and Politics from University of Windsor

Certificate in Criminal Psychology and Behaviour from Georgian College 

Research Interests:

Constitutional Law and Policy, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Canada’s position within the global world of politics

John Nuttall

John Nuttall

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts with majors in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics and minors in History from Mount Allison University

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from University of Waterloo 

Research Interests:

Canadian Political Economy, Political Economic Theory, and Colonial Studies, especially about Atlantic Canada and the integration of bio-power with political economic thought.

Braedon McDonald

Braedon McDonald

Previous Degrees:

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Legal Studies with a minor in Political Science from University of Waterloo

Research Interests:

Canadian Politics and Constitutional Law. Particularly interested in exceptional powers like the Emergencies Act and the Notwithstanding Clause.