Political Science Newsspring 2020 from the Chair

POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWSSPRING 2020 FROM THE CHAIR

IN THIS ISSUE

2 Rear Admiral Crickard Essay Prize 4 Our Faculty 10 Centre for the Study of Security and Development 11 Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative 12 Jean Monnet European Union Centre of Excellence 14 Undergraduate News 19 Graduate Program News 19 Welcome Alexa Dodge, Donald Hill Postdoctoral Fellow 25 Alumni

Stay Connected David Black, Political Science Chair Department of Political Science / Centre for the Study of Security and Development ONE OF THE GREAT JOYS OF ical science students and scholars will Henry Hicks Building, Room 301, university life generally, and political spend many years making sense of the 6299 South Street, PO Box 15000, science specifically, is the opportuni- ramifications of the covid-19 pandem- Halifax NS B3H 4R2 ty it provides for continuous change, ic, for our institutions, our field of study,  902.494.2396  dal.ca/ growth, and learning. The never-end- and the ideas, communities, and politi-  [email protected] politicalscience ing stimulus of new students with new cal dynamics we seek to understand. [email protected] dal.ca/cssd ideas, the application of new ways of If the pandemic is an intellectual Follow us on social media and thinking to old problems, the applica- goldmine for political scientists (and for stay up to date tion of longstanding ‘ways of knowing’ Armchair Epidemiologists like me – see to novel challenges, and the intellectu- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-  @Dal_ALUMNI @Dal_FASS al puzzle of distinguishing what is truly DhyjgPetQE), it also presented unprece- novel from perennial issues in new garb dented challenges to our students, staff, Visit alumni.dal.ca to update your contact are sources of enduring fascination for and colleagues. I am incredibly proud information and stay connected with Dalhousie University. students and faculty alike. of the way they have all responded. Stu- Well, if the never-ending onset of dents faced enormous and utterly unex- For information on events within the new issues, challenges and puzzles is pected disruptions and stresses as they Faculty or to plan a reunion, visit dal.ca/fass or email [email protected] an enduring hallmark of university life, had to complete their courses in an un- 2019/20 outdid itself. None of us in the familiar online environment, often department – young or old – has experienced anything quite like it, and polit- Continued on next page

1 FROM THE CHAIR cont’d

having had to quickly decamp to homes No doubt Dalhousie and our depart- The research centres and institutes we all over the world, without access to ment, along with counterparts across are affiliated with – the Centre for the regular study spaces or, in some cas- the country, will face many novel de- Study of Security and Development, the es, reliable technology and internet ser- mands in the months ahead. In doing Jean Monnet European Union Centre of vice. Nothing exemplified their deter- so, however, we will be able to draw on Excellence, and the Dallaire Institute for mination more than our honours group, the remarkable strengths of our stu- Children, Peace and Security – contin- who achieved a 100% completion rate dents and colleagues. Our students’ ue to enrich our research and teaching of their fascinating research projects achievements, individually and collec- with the people and activities they at- under these extraordinary circumstanc- tively, are on full display in the pages tract and support. The exceptional qual- es. Faculty had to quickly re-engineer of this newsletter. We are particularly ity of our staff got the recognition it has their courses for online delivery while proud of the Dalhousie Undergradu- long deserved when Tracy Powell re- providing support and reassurance to ate Political Science Society (DUPSS), ceived the Faculty’s Staff Award for Ex- their students. Their flexibility and gen- which for years has been a tremendous cellence in Service. And the adventur- erosity in tackling these challenges was contributor to the life of the depart- ous spirit of our alumni is exemplified remarkable – even more so as we are ment and this year got long overdue by the reports from three relatively re- now faced with the challenge of deliv- recognition when it received an Impact cent graduates who have already under- ering the entire fall 2020 semester on- Award as the top student society at Dal- taken a striking range of post-gradua- line. If teaching involves continuous housie. Along with our faculty mem- tion work, study, and travel. learning, that learning curve just took bers’ commitment to teaching and ad- We remain grateful for the many con- a steep upward turn! And our adminis- ministrative excellence, their record of tributions of our graduates, in a wide trative staff – Tracy Powell and Mary Ok- research achievements is also reflected range of forms. Your adventures and wese – have been their usual source of in the pages that follow. We are partic- achievements are one of our great- knowledge, support, patience, and com- ularly pleased to have welcomed three est sources of satisfaction and inspi- petence as they faced the unprecedent- outstanding new scholars in the past ration. Please do let us know what you ed challenge of working from home and two years, with the addition of Profes- are up to – we love to hear from you. dealing with the university’s many and sors Leah Sarson, Kiran Banerjee, and And watch for new initiatives in the year rapidly changing ‘adjustments’ to the Scott Pruysers. They bring important ahead, Covid-19 notwithstanding! pandemic. My thanks to all! research and teaching strengths The pandemic has brought profound along with a sense of renewal to David Black, Political Science Chair challenges to people and communities the department. all over the world, but Nova Scotia has experienced more than its share. From the Portapique mass shooting, to the REAR ADMIRAL CRICKARD ESSAY PRIZE downing of the Halifax-based Canadi- an Forces Cyclone helicopter in the Ioni- When I first met the late Rear-Admiral owe so much of my success as a military an Sea, to the tragic loss of Haligonian Fred Crickard in 1989, I was at King’s Col- scholar and author to the late Adm. Crick- RCAF Captain Jennifer Casey (a Dalhou- lege studying Sociology and I immediate- ard, and so I decided that after he passed sie Arts and Social Sciences graduate) ly knew he was a special man and schol- away, I would create a $500 memorial es- in the Snowbirds crash in Kamloops, to ar. Not only was he the Navy’s second say prize focusing on international rela- the deep and enduring social wounds highest ranking officer from 1983-1985, tions. This new prize will encourage stu- exposed by the killing of George Floyd he was a true friend and mentor to me. dents to write on important matters with in the face of this province’s long histo- When I graduated, I decided to change the same dedication that he did in his ry of structural racism, our communi- disciplines and read for an MA in Political days as a Senior Research Fellow at the ty has experienced a series of traumas Science at Dal just so I could learn more Centre for Foreign Policy Studies (now that have challenged the resilience of from him. I wrote my MA thesis on bu- named Centre for the Study of Securi- Nova Scotians at a time when our usual reaucratic politics in the U.S. Navy, and ty and Development). It’s my way of giv- forms of community support have been his expert advice helped me complete the ing back to the admiral and the university sharply limited. Each of these traumas first draft in just three months. My the- that helped make me who I am, and I am will leave an imprint, but the last one in sis was published twice and became re- forever grateful to both. particular challenges us to deploy our quired reading in a class at MIT. It was research and teaching to both under- even endorsed by the late Admiral “Bud” Roger Thompson MA (Dal), FRAS FRSA, stand our community as it has been, Zumwalt, USN (Ret.), who was the U.S. Assistant Professor, Kyung Hee and imagine what it might become. Chief of Naval Operations in the 1970s. I University, Korea

2 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS ON THEIR SHOULDERS: The Women Who Paved the Way in Nova Scotia Politics - Book Launch and Women in Politics Scholarship Sarah Dobson (POLI BA Honours Alumni) and Grace Evans (POLI BA Candidate)

SARAH DOBSON, A THIRD-YEAR tics scholarship fund, housed at Dalhou- ernment. Sarah and Grace hope that student at the Schulich School of Law sie for young women entering political the book and scholarship fund will serve and political science alum, and GRACE science, with a goal of $20,000. To offi- as an inspiration to women across the EVANS, A THIRD-YEAR political science cially launch their crowdfunding cam- province who are interested in politics. student have been working on a book paign with projectDal, Sarah and Grace Stay tuned for the release of On Their for the past year which highlights the hosted an International Women’s Day Shoulders later this year, as it will be fifty women to have served in the Nova Event with the Dalhousie Women’s Di- available for purchase online and at lo- Scotia Legislature. On Their Shoulders: vision and the Junior League of Halifax. cal bookstores. The Women Who Paved the Way in Thanks to the many supporters both on- Nova Scotia Politics, will tell the stories line and at the event, they have reached of each of the women, including over $8,000. Due to COVID-19, the cam- the barriers they faced, the success- paign is currently on pause, but they es they achieved, and advice they have plan to continue fundraising this sum- for future generations of women pursu- mer. ing politics. This book will serve as a celebration The book is anticipated to be re- of the women who have served as MLAs leased this fall, with hopes of reach- in Nova Scotia, and a reminder of how ing $10,000 in sales. The proceeds of far we have to go to further increase fe- the book will create the Women in Poli- male representation at all levels of gov-

Roger Thompson and David Black during From left to right: The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, Roger’s visit from Korea to Dalhousie. and the Canadian Coast Guard; Sarah Dobson; Grace Evans; The Honourable Kelly Regan, Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services and Status of Women.

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DR. PETER During his first DR. BRIAN BOW ARTHUR year as a faculty wrapped up a continued in his member in the couple of long- role as a member Department, running projects of the DR. KIRAN this past year, and department’s BANERJEE spent is carrying on with graduate the year teaching a few others. committee new courses, Papers from the during the academic year. In this role, researching and writing, preparing 2016 workshop on security policy he, with other members were several grant applications, as well as coordination in North America and responsible for the admission of engaging in a number of collaborative Europe—co-organized with Ruben graduate students to the department. projects. His course offerings featured a Zaiotti—were published as a special He also served on the Research Ethics graduate and advanced undergraduate issue of Journal of Transatlantic Studies. Committee during the academic year. seminar on international ethics, as well And UBC Press has confirmed that the Along with these roles, he co-edited as an upper level course on the global edited volume that came out of the with Kobena Hanson and Korbla politics of migration, both of which “Generations” project—co-organized Puplampu a book, Disruptive were offered for the first time at with Andrea Lane—will be published in Technologies, Innovation, and Dalhousie. In the last few months, he Fall 2020, with the new title, Canadian Development in Africa, published by has also published two pieces. The first Foreign Policy: Reflections on a Field in Palgrave Macmillan, which examines is a co-authored book chapter critically Transition. Work continues—sometimes how disruptive technologies and analyzing the neglected place of very slowly—on other components of innovation underpin the attainment of a migration in international relations the security policy coordination project broader development agenda in Africa. theory, appearing in the edited volume and the book on the unraveling of While one of his contributions, “SMEs, Nomad-State Relationships in regional integration in North America. Industrialization and Disruptive International Relations: Before and After Some of the delay can be attributed to Technologies in Africa: Enabling or Borders (Palgrave). distracting new work on populism and Constraining?,” discusses how SMEs The second is a co-authored article in technocracy, and a new theoretical can use ICTs as a tool to improve their the European Journal of International paper on ontological templates in business operations, initiate Security on the role of communities of different varieties of constructivism. socioeconomic development and practice in defense diplomacy. He also Dr. Bow continued to serve as director promote the industrialization process, published a contribution in the special of Dalhousie’s Centre for the Study of another, “Disruptive Technologies, issue of the Migration & Citizenship Security and Development (CSSD), as Democracy, Governance, and National Section newsletter of the American one of the two co-editors of Elections in Africa: Back to the Future?” Political Science Association. In addition International Journal (with Greg explores and assesses the role of mobile to this, Dr. Banerjee completed the Donaghy), as co-lead for the North technologies and other forms of social nomination process for his Canada America team within the Defence and media platforms to check government Research Chair position in forced Security Foresight Group (with Veronica activities and help improve the migration governance and refugee Kitchen), as a member of FASS’s governance, electoral and democratic policy, was co-applicant with Dr. Zaiotti Academic Development Committee, processes in Africa. Furthermore, he is on a multi-year grant they have etc. supervising the thesis of a Master’s submitted to create a summer institute student in International Development on migration and identity at Dalhousie, Studies (IDS), who is planning on and is currently organizing a research defending her research during the workshop on North American migration summer. While Peter was planning on governance. Having recently arrived at presenting a paper at the Annual Dalhousie, Dr. Banerjee would like to Canadian Association for African express his sincere thanks and Studies (CAAS) Conference, which was appreciation to all members of the scheduled to be held in early June 2020 Department of Political Science, at the University of Western Ontario, including his new colleagues and the London, Ontario, he was unable to do so Department staff, for their warm due to COVID-19. He hopes he will be welcome and extensive support able to share his research work when in helping him get settled in at things get back to normal. the University.

4 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS DR. MARGARET Constitutional Status,” was published by The Routledge DENIKE is heading the University of Toronto’s Institute on Handbook of Global up the popular Municipal Finance and Governance Sustainability interdisciplinary (Munk School of Global Affairs and Governance, which program, Law, Public Policy) in November 2019 DR. ANDERS Justice and Society. (https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/ HAYDEN co-edited In collaboration bitstream/1807/98264/1/imfgpaper_ (with Agni with the Chairs no46_recognizingandprotecting Kalfagianni and from the Departments of Political municipalities_kristingood_ Doris Fuchs) was published in the fall, Science, History, Philosophy, and nov_26_2019.pdf). She also contributed including a chapter he wrote on the Sociology and Social Anthropology. to the ongoing public debate on concept of “sufficiency.” With his Denike introduced the new B.A. (Major municipal empowerment in Toronto and colleagues Céo Gaudet and Jeff Wilson, and Honours) in 2016-17, by drawing on nationally with an editorial in the he has been editing a book tentatively the existing courses that have legal Toronto Star (https://www.thestar.com/ titled Beyond GDP: International studies and justice-related content that opinion/contributors/ Experiences, Canada’s Options, which are offered in different programs and thebigdebate/2019/11/26/is-a-city- builds on a major workshop of the same faculties at Dalhousie. Interest in the charter-the-best-way-forward-for- name that he organized in 2019. He new degree program has grown toronto.html); a piece in Policy Options developed and taught a new course on exponentially, for students seeking the (https://policyoptions.irpp.org/authors/ the Politics of Consumption, in addition opportunity to study law and public kristin-r-good/); and as a speaker at an to existing courses in the Politics of the policy through the varying perspectives event held on November 28th, 2019 at Environment, the Politics of Climate of different disciplines, and to sample the University of Toronto entitled Change, and quantitative methods. He courses, for example, in International “Charting a New Path: Does Toronto continues to be involved with the Human Rights, the History of Justice, Need a City Charter?” (the event was Sustainable Consumption Research and the Sociology of Crime, and the co-sponsored by the Institute on Action Initiative as a member of the Philosophy of Law. Municipal Finance and Governance and Advisory Board and the International the Urban Land Institute). Review Board for its upcoming (now DR. KRISTIN Prof. Good is a founding co- virtual) conference. As a member of the GOOD began a editor (with Dr. Martin Horak) of the Steering Committee of United for sabbatical leave in McGill-Queen’s Studies in Urban Climate Justice, an initiative of the January. Although Governance book series: (https://www. Foundation for European Progressive many of her mqup.ca/browse-books-pages-46. Studies, he contributed to a policy sabbatical research php?filters=a%3A1% paper with proposals for progressive and travel plans are 3A{i%3A2%3Bs%3A4%3A%224478%22 climate action that was launched in on hold due to the %3B}&do=changeFilter). September in New York. He contributed current pandemic, she has continued to a policy brief on work-time reduction for work on a textbook on comparative the Bonn-based ZOE Institute for urban governance (with co-editor Dr. Future-Fit Economies, a new economics Jen Nelles). When research restrictions think tank. Dr. Hayden has been serving are lifted, she will resume her research as the department’s Undergraduate on local immigration policies and forms Advisor and on a number of of governance. This research focuses on departmental, faculty, and College of the ways in which local immigration Sustainability committees. He is looking governance varies in Canadian cities forward to a sabbatical– which will now with different demographic take place closer to home than configurations of Francophone originally planned – to work on a project minorities and Indigenous populations. on “sufficiency: a missing ingredient in Prof. Good is also developing a research a low-carbon transition” and start a new program that critically interrogates book project. municipalities’ constitutional status in Canada. Her contribution on this subject, “The Fallacy of the ‘Creatures of the Provinces’ Doctrine: Recognizing and Protecting Municipalities’ Continued on next page

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Despite the CN-Paul M. Tellier Chair on Business he published “Implementing CETA: A cancellation of and Public Policy, with panels Preliminary Report” EU-Canada Network several international discussing many of CETA’s complex Policy Brief, Carleton University. He events this summer, chapters. This conference was continues to work with the Center for a pandemic isn’t the capstone event of the CETA Studies on Integration and Globalization necessarily the Implementation and Implication (CEIM), University of Quebec at worst thing to Project. While the Covid disruption is Montreal (UQÀM). With his colleagues happen to a health posing challenges for some contributors there, he has chapters in process on policy specialist, so DR. KATHERINE in hard hit nations and changing socially responsible trade lessons from FIERLBECK is currently engaged in a how the publisher works, most of the NAFTA and on trade agreements as number of new projects (just not participants have submitted chapters constitutionalism for a festschrift in necessarily the ones she was planning for a book covering the implementation honour of the late Stephen Clarkson. to do). The past year saw Dr. Fierlbeck process and early effects of CETA. He is also working on a book prospectus giving talks near (Faculty of Medicine, Entitled Unraveling the puzzle: CETA for a monograph on populism in the School of Nursing, Sodales Society) and Implementation and Implications, it “Five Eyes” states and a theoretical far (Spain, Ottawa). She has new will be published by McGill-Queen’s piece for Studies in Political Economy. articles in the Health Reform Observer University Press. Chapters cover He continued as Deputy Director of the and Canadian Public Administration, one regulation, procurement, environment, Jean Monnet European Union Centre of book in press (Thomson Reuters), one food and wines and spirits, the Excellence and represented the centre under review (University of Toronto innovative investment disputes system, at an October meeting of Erasmus Press) and a special issue of the Journal labour mobility and labour relations projects and networks in Canada, of Health Politics, Policy, and Law and the implications for EU trade policy hosted by the EU delegation in Ottawa. accepted for publication in January of the contested ratification of the He is a participant in their EU SPA and 2021. Dr F is involved in three new grant agreement. It will be an interdisciplinary CETA Implementation Coordination projects (CIHR Catalyst, SSHRC volume with insights from law, political Platform and Delegation of European Connection, and NS COVID-19 science, public policy and economics. Union to Canada Alumni Group. Before research). She gave fourteen media Contributors hail from Italy, France, the shut down of planned campus interviews this past year, and was brave Netherlands, Germany, USA, India and events and conferences, he presented enough to commit to her first full Canada. With these collaborators, Dr. on “Obama’s trade policy – liberalization podcast (on health care in Canada). Finbow is planning a possible Erasmus as usual?” to a Centre for the Study of plus networking project application on Security and Development (CSSD) panel DR. ROBERT the EU’s transatlantic and transpacific discussion on “Obama’s foreign policy FINBOW continued economic and trade agreements. legacy” to mark the former president’s as Honours In addition to his forthcoming visit to Halifax in November. Coordinator for the chapters for the conference publication, department and helped navigate our students to completion of the Honours project and defenses in a time of social distancing. He continued work on his Erasmus+ project on CETA Implementation and Implications and hosted a very successful CETA Implications Conference in September with presenters from several EU states as well as Canada and the US. The event featured panels exploring the implications of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union. The event began with a keynote address from Dr. Patrick Leblond, Dr. Robert Finbow speaking at the CETA Implications Conference at Dalhousie University.

6 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS DR. SCOTT The book establishes a profile of those her research activities took a backseat PRUYSERS joined who express political ambition, explores during her leave, Dr. Sarson continued the Department in the barriers to cultivating this interest, to advance a project exploring fall 2019. During his and reports the results of experiments Indigeneity and International Relations, first year he taught to foster ambition among marginalized examining indigeneity through the a variety of groups. The second is a study of the lens of International Relations and undergraduate makeup, activity, and organization of International Relations through the classes on political parties at the constituency thought and praxis of Indigenous constitutional politics, Canadian level in Canada - both during and in peoples. While a number of events this political institutions, and social media, between elections. While parties are spring had to be cancelled due to the served on the Canadian Politics PhD often portrayed as singular coherent ongoing pandemic, she collaborated examination committee, and is organizations, considerable variation with a colleague to submit several currently supervising an MA thesis (Ben exists at the constituency level where grant applications related to the project Andrews) on the relationship between each major party has 338 unique and is looking forward to rescheduling the state of local media/journalism and organizations. events soon. Dr. Sarson also published a the health of municipal elections in book chapter with colleagues on Arctic Canada. During this time Dr. Pruysers This past year has been full of new security and is awaiting publication of a also joined the editorial board of the adventures, as DR. LEAH SARSON and chapter on feminist research methods journal Frontiers in Political Science her husband welcomed their first child in International Relations and one where he serves as Reviews Editor. in September. Before shifting gears and considering Indigeneity and the study of Since joining the Department in the beginning maternity leave, Dr. Sarson Canadian foreign policy. This summer, fall, Dr. Pruysers has published articles co-organized the 12th annual Women Dr. Sarson expects to finalize her in the Canadian Journal of Political in International Security (WIIS)-Canada current book project on the relationship Science, Political Studies, the Journal workshop at the University of Toronto in between Indigenous global politics and of Public Opinion, Elections, & Parties, June, which brought together students, Canadian foreign policy and move to and the European Journal of Politics scholars, and practitioners in the field Halifax with her family. She is looking and Gender. He also continued his work of international security for two days of forward to continuing to reintegrate with the Canadian Municipal Election research presentations and mentorship herself into all that the Department Study (CMES), contributing chapters opportunities. Dr. Sarson remains the has to offer, settle in the wonderful city to two edited volumes. Much of his organization’s Director of Operations of Halifax, and continue to build new current research is dedicated to two and is looking forward to launching a collaborations and friendships in the SSHRC funded book projects. The first Dalhousie chapter of WIIS-Canada in year ahead in a healthy and convivial explores political ambition in Canada. the coming academic year. Although community.

DR. RUBEN ZAIOTTI When I was growing up, a millennium ago, I used to binge watch the movies of my favourite director, Luis Buñuel (NB: that was the pre-streaming era; so no Netflix, but good old video tapes…). One of the Spanish author’s most iconic cinematic masterpieces is the Exterminating Angel (‘El Angel Exterminador’). The movie, which came out in 1962, tells the story of a group of individuals invited to a dinner party who find themselves stuck in the premises, without knowing why… It does not require a big stretch of the imagination (certainly not for me!) to see in the movie an eery reminder of the situation we are living today, with Dr. Leah Sarson (far right) and colleagues at the 12th annual Women in International Security-Canada workshop. Continued on next page

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all the uncertainty and anxiety that the Covid pandemic has created in all of us. The reality we are facing today means that if I have to tell the story of my 2019/2020 academic year that just wound down, it is apparent that this has to be a play in two acts, the pre—and post—pandemic… In what now feels a long time ago, during the tranquil and careless pre-Covid era, I was immersed in my work as director of the Jean Monnet European Union Centre of Excellence (see dedicated article in the Newsletter) and Jean Monnet Chair in Public Diplomacy. Before the pandemic Dr. Zaiotti (pictured, left) at the conference “An Integrated Approach hit, I was able to finalize a project on to NATO Communications”, Brussels, January 24, 2020. international organizations and social media, and an edited volume on this Carolina and a SSHRC postdoctoral was nominated for a Sessional and Part- topic is scheduled to be published by fellowship at the University of Chicago Time Instructor Award for Excellence in Routledge in the fall of 2020. Together and Northwestern University. She is Teaching. with colleague Brian Bow, I oversaw the currently finishing her first book Earlier this year, Dr. French presented publication of a special issue of Journal manuscript, Tragic Judgement, which papers at the annual meetings held by of Transatlantic Studies on transatlantic looks to the Greek tragic poet, the American Historical Association security cooperation. Then, the world Sophocles, to explore civic judgment in (AHA) and the American Catholic came to a screeching halt. In the post- moments of crisis. She has teaching Historical Association (ACHA), both of pandemic era, I have followed the fate and research expertise in the history of which were held in New York City. He of my colleagues at Dalhousie and political thought, democratic theory, was also awarded funding from the beyond, namely moving my academic and public law and federalism. Dr. Organization of American Historians endeavours online. Yes, Dr. Zaiotti joined Atkison is also a Canadian Centre for (OAH) and the Society for Historians the Zoom world too! And joy ensued… Policy Alternatives research-affiliate and of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era sort of… worked in Canadian foreign policy at (SHGAPE) to support his presentation The characters on the Exterminating Global Affairs Canada before of a paper at the 2020 OAH Annual Angel, not used to the new reality of commencing her Ph.D. Meeting in Washington, D.C. a perennial quarantine, quickly grow Unfortunately, this event was cancelled impatient with their condition and start During the due to the COVID-19 pandemic. acting erratically (roasting a sheep 2019/2020 Dr. French’s article on the inter- using a smashed cello for firewood, academic year, imperial relationships that developed anyone?). Eventually, after numerous DR. GREGG between representatives of the U.S. misadventures, they get out of their FRENCH expanded and Spanish empires was published in walled prison, rattled, but relieved. his teaching Spain and the American Revolution: New Hopefully, there will be a happy ending responsibilities in Approaches and Perspectives in January for us all as well. If that happens, I the Department of 2020. Later this year, his work on promise I’ll stop making homemade of Political Science to include U.S.-Spanish relations during the post- bread for a while… World Politics (POLI 2520), Building Civil War Era is scheduled to Democracy and Peace (POLI 3520), be published by Fordham University DR. LARISSA and Human Rights: Legal Issues (POLI Press in their new edited volume ATKISON received 4505). He also served as the second entitled, Reconstruction and Empire. her Ph.D. from the reader for a BA Honours thesis and Dr. French is currently working on two University in continues to provide support to three of other articles. One will explore how Toronto in Political his former students who are currently in U.S. Hispanists influenced America’s Science. She has the process of converting their research foreign policy during the nineteenth held a postdoctoral essays into publishable articles. For century and the other will examine U.S. fellowship at the all of his hard work, both inside and imperial ambitions in the lead up to the University of South outside of the classroom, Dr. French War of 1898.

8 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS DR. HEATHER lot of catching up to do! been facilitating an international SMITH My research activities this year collaborative writing group for the In the past year include working on two edited volumes International Society of Scholarship of I’ve been on related to teaching and International Teaching and Learning, working with sabbatical from Studies. The first volume is on ‘Teaching the Centre for Learning and Teaching the University of International Relations During a Time here at Dalhousie on a national Northern British of Disruption’ and is co-edited with scholarship of teaching and learning Columbia and a David Hornsby (Carleton) and will be survey and working on a few Canadian Visiting Scholar with the Department of published by Palgrave. This volume is foreign policy related projects. Political Science. Given that I’ll be just about ready to go to the press for I want to thank the Department for returning to full time teaching in the review. The second volume is an Oxford providing me with an academic home fall, part of my sabbatical had been Handbook on teaching international over the last two years – it is greatly about catching up on key literature in studies and it is co-edited with David appreciated. I will still be in Halifax next Canadian foreign policy and Hornsby (Carleton) and Mark Boyer year…teaching online for UNBC (on International Studies. Having not taught (UConn). purpose) and so I hope to touch base in full time for eight years means there is a Beyond these activities, I’ve the future.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

POLI 3532.03: Model UN - This year with the opportunity to work in the YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs, was another successful year for the community at either government and at the Romeo Dallaire Child Dalhousie Model UN class. We enjoyed or NGO organizations and services. Soldiers Initiative. Still others helped dynamic in-class simulations on In lieu of spending their time in a to plan and organize public education topical issues such as human rights classroom, students worked under the events, which were unfortunately put and climate change. Students from supervision of the managers and/or on hold due to the COVID crisis. This the class were encouraged to join the directors of an organization, support year, Professor Denike extended the Dalhousie Model UN Society, which has service, or research centre, such as the course to provide credit to students who an active on campus presence and sent Canadian Mental Health Association, independently secure an internship, as students to MtAMUN at Mount Allison the Halifax Refugee Clinic, the John was the case with Takdeer Brar, who this fall. For more information on how Howard Society, and Coverdale Court successfully applied to spend the term to get involved with the Society, Like the Services. While some students were in Washington DC, on an internship at Dalhousie Model UN page on Facebook. given opportunities to work with clients the Canadian Embassy. Information https://www.facebook.com/munatdal of these organizations, for example, about the Placement and reports by in assisting in the preparation for students can be found at: https://www. POLI/GWST 4390.03: Practicum in upcoming hearings at the Refugee dal.ca/faculty/arts/politicalscience/ Public Policy: NGOs & Government Clinic; others engaged in research programs/undergraduate-programs/ Services – Professor Margaret Denike’s projects, for instance on Food Security poli-4390.html course, Practicum Placement in at the Ecology Action Centre, and on Public Policy provided 21 students gender-based violence protocols at the

POLITICAL SCIENCE TRAVEL FUND For our graduate and honours students, field research travel, to a maximum of $1000 within (whether in Canada or internationally) and the opportunity Canada, and $2000 internationally. This to present their ideas at conferences and workshops are will allow our students to undertake vital vital forms of educational and professional development. interview, archival, and participant ob- Yet supporting these invaluable opportunities for research servation research, and to share their ideas with audiences and conference travel has always been a challenge for the of peers and senior scholars. If you wish to contribute department and our students, since there are few sources to this fund, please go online to alumni.dal.ca giving or of financial assistance within or beyond the university. contact Tracy Powell, Admin Assistant at [email protected]. Now, thanks to generous alumni contributions, we have ini- Thank you for your support! tiated a new fund to support graduate and honours student

9 CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT (CSSD) 2019-20 WAS ANOTHER Anders Hayden’s “Beyond GDP” proj- • 30 January 2020: Kevin Skillin (US transition year for the Centre for the ect, which brought together a group Consul General), “A Changing Glob- Study of Security and Development of high-profile scholars for a work- al Order” (moderated by Brian (CSSD), with some old projects wrapped shop at Dalhousie in May 2019 while Bow), Halifax Club up, and some new ones beginning. Prof. Hayden was interim CSSD direc- • 2 March 2020: Glyn Berry lecture, My sincere thanks to our deputy director, is moving toward its own publica- featuring Corinne Cash, Heather tor, Adam MacDonald (POLI PhD Can- tions. You can get detailed info about Smith, and Larry Swatuk, “Global didate), and administrative secretary, the workshop and more updates on the Climate Crisis and the Challenges Mary Okwese, for keeping things going, project website: https://www.beyondgd- for Canada” (moderated by Nafisa in spite of many uncertainties and dis- pindicators.com/ Abdulhamid and Adam MacDonald) tractions. The CSSD’s program of events was a The year ahead looks likely to be a The “Generations” project, co-orga- little less ambitious than usual in 2019- busy one, with a number of workshops nized by Andrea Lane (POLI PhD Can- 20, but we’re happy with the quality of and special events in development. We didate) and I, is wrapping up this year, these events and the level of engage- are determined to carry on with this im- with the edited volume—now titled ment from the university community. portant work, but obviously must recog- Canadian Foreign Policy: Reflections on a Highlights included: nize and adapt to the disruptive effects Field in Transition—scheduled to be pub- • 11 October 2019: Tari Ajadi, Jill of COVID-19. Some things are inevita- lished by UBC Press in the fall of 2020. Hatcher, Anders Hayden and Ju- bly going to be moved online, and oth- This follows from the special issue of lia Rodgers, “Climate Change and ers postponed. For updates, be sure to International Journal, which was pub- the Election” (moderated by Adam check the CSSD website (https://www. lished in 2017 (https://journals.sage- MacDonald) dal.ca/sites/cssd.html) and follow us on pub.com/toc/ijxa/72/2). We’re looking • 4 November 2019: Kate Ervine, Rob- Twitter at @dalcssd. forward to a book launch event in the ert Finbow, and Ajay Parasram, CSSD faculty fellows are deeply in- fall, in whatever form COVID-19 precau- “Obama’s Foreign Policy Legacy” volved in the Defence and Security Fore- tions will allow. (moderated by Brian Bow) sight Group (DSFG) network, and are The security policy coordination proj- • 21 November 2019: Roderich Kie- working now on planning for DSFG ect, co-organized by Ruben Zaiotti and sewetter, Emily Lau, Janice Stein, workshops in 2020-21. The North Amer- I, is also wrapping up, with a collection and Tolu Ogunlesi, “Populism Peak- ica foresight exercise and workshop will of five essays in Journal of Transatlantic ed: The Future of Democracy” take place in Fall 2020, and the Africa Studies. These will be brought together (Halifax International Security Fo- workshop in Spring 2021. CSSD will also in a special issue later this year; for now, rum roundtable, moderated by Rob- be supporting a POLI-organized work- they are available individually on JTS’s in Shepherd) shop in the fall, in connection with the Online First page (https://link.springer. • 26 November 2019: Mathew Fisher, Shaw/Parpart scholarship program. com/journal/42738/onlineFirst). “Canada in an Altering World” In organizing its public events, the Centre continues to rely on institution- al partners in- and outside of Dalhousie. We are grateful for practical and sometimes financial support from the Politi- cal Science and International Develop- ment Studies departments, the Jean Monnet European Union Centre of Ex- cellence, the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance, and the Halifax branch of the Canadian Interna- tional Council. On behalf of CSSD staff and fellows, I hope you all have a safe and rewarding summer and look forward to engaging with you all again in the fall, in whatever ways COVID-19 precautions will allow. Dr. Heather Smith, Dr. Larry Swatuk, and Dr. Corinne Cash at the Glyn Berry event, March 2, 2020. Brian Bow, Director

10 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS THE ROMÉO DALLAIRE CHILD SOLDIERS INITIATIVE WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO ty to conduct guest lectures and part- ture issues, commentaries and peer-re- announce that on 22 April 2020, Dal- ner on research proposals and grants viewed research and policy articles will housie University’s Board of Governors in order to conduct mutually reinforc- focus on all aspects of the implemen- officially approved the establishment ing, complementary, and ground-break- tation of the Vancouver Principles. The of the Dallaire Institute for Children, ing research. articles provide guidance, policy rec- Peace and Security. The Dallaire Ini- The Dallaire Institute will contin- ommendations, and new knowledge to tiative hopes to formally announce and ue pushing forward with our import- support the international community’s celebrate this change in name and sta- ant work to prevent the recruitment and work to end the recruitment and use of tus with partners, friends, and support- use of child soldiers through practical, child soldiers. You can read Volume 4 ers in Fall 2020. prevention-oriented training with the here: https://ojs.library.dal.ca/allons-y/ The newly-established Institute will security sector in numerous countries index seek to deepen collaborations with around the world, from our three loca- Stay up-to-date on our latest news by three main faculties at Dalhousie -- Arts tions in Halifax, Juba and Kigali. signing up for our newsletter at childsol- and Social Sciences, Health and Law Published since 2016, the Dallaire diers.org (bottom of homepage). -- in addition to establishing a Certifi- Initiative’s annual publication Allons-y cate in Children, Peace and Security, a is entering a new phase with a focus on Aimée White, Chief of Staff Dalhousie research network and work- supporting the implementation of the ing group, and increasing our capaci- Vancouver Principles. In this and fu-

Dr. Shelly Whitman, Executive Director of the Dallaire Institute, provides a lecture on International Humanitarian Law to senior-year law students at the University of Juba (June 2019).

11 JEAN MONNET EUROPEAN UNION CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IT SEEMS FAIR TO DESCRIBE THIS Mathias Rodorff and Ruben Zaiotti. is now working on a Network applica- last year at the JMEUCE as having start- Unfortunately, many of our more stu- tion for 2021 to expand the scope and ed with a bang and ended with a whim- dent-focused activities have had to be scale of the Project. per. The bang was the welcome news postponed or cancelled, including sup- The Health Law and Policy Network, that the Centre’s application for reporting participation in this year’s EU led by JMEUCE Associate Katherine Fi- newed core funding from the EU’s Eras- Study Tour and Internship programme, erlbeck, is heading into its final year. mus+ programme had been approved. organising the annual Day of Debate for The Network is currently preparing to We therefore began a new three-year local schools and facilitating an excit- launch a Summer School at Carleton cycle of activities in the autumn, building Mitacs-funded research opportuni- University as well as a panel in Brussels ing on the momentum started in 2006 ty in London, although we do still antic- on Health Care and the Fate of Social when the EU Centre first opened at Dal- ipate being able to award the Student Europe in partnership with the Europe- housie. The whimper, of course, was Essay Prize. Another casualty of the vi- an Social Observatory and the Nation- the very unwelcome arrival of Covid-19 rus was a Joint Panel on EU and Asian al Institute for Health and Disability In- which has swiftly played havoc with approaches to trade, to be presented surance. those newly scheduled activities. How- with the National University of Taiwan’s The Centre would also like to con- ever, it goes without saying that our Jean Monnet Centre at the European gratulate Matthew Schnurr of the De- own challenges have been minimal Community Studies Association – Cana- partment of International Develop- compared with the grim toll which the da (ECSA-C)’s biennial conference in Ed- ment Studies, who was awarded a Jean virus is taking on the broader stage in monton. Monnet Network grant last summer to Canada, the EU and globally. In addition to its own programme of study the policy and practical implica- One of the activities which we did events, the JMEUCE has continued to tions of genome editing on agriculture. manage to hold was our ongoing Speak- host a suite of Jean Monnet Activities The Network’s UK-based team is cur- er Series. These public lectures focused contributing to the study of EU policy. rently preparing to launch their first vir- on a range of topical issues and fea- This last year has seen one successfully tual policy dialogue on the governance tured German, Irish and Belgian visiting wrap up, another approaching its culmi- of genome-edited organisms in the Eu- speakers as follows: nation, and a third launched. First, the ropean Union, the United Kingdom and • The Spectre of Populism in Europe: Centre bids farewell to the CETA Proj- beyond. A Threat to Liberal Democracy? Oli- ect, headed by JMEUCE Deputy Direc- As we look ahead, it is obvious- ver Schmidtke, Director, Centre for tor, Robert Finbow. This project wrapped ly unclear how the coming weeks and Global Studies, University of Victo- up in late 2019, following the success months will unfold and what the impli- ria, Canada. of the CETA Implications Conference cations will be, not just for the JMEUCE • Brexit: How Did We Get Here, Where in September. The two-day event wel- but for the EU as an institution strug- Do We Go Now and What Are the comed 20 guest speakers from across gling to cope with unprecedented chal- Lessons for Negotiators? Vincent Canada, the United States and Europe lenges. It would be interesting to have a Power, Partner, A&L Goodbody, Dub- to debate the outcomes and implica- crystal ball… lin, Ireland. tions of the comprehensive trade deal • How Far is it from Rome to Lisbon? between Canada and the EU. Dr Finbow Madeleine Coffen-Smout, Coordinator EU Trade Policy and Bargaining Pow- er from 1958 until Today. Dirk De Bièvre, Professor of International Politics, University of Antwerp, Bel- gium. The Speaker Series also included an interesting collaboration with the De- partment of German and other partners to present The Wall. A Border through Germany, a German Government photo- graphic exhibition marking the 30th an- niversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Exhibition, Reception & Panel Dis- cussion featured Dalhousie experts Dr. Oliver Schmidtke, Director, Centre for Global Studies, University of Victoria giving on Europe: Florian Bail, Julia Poertner, his lecture on “The Spectre of Populism in Europe: A Threat to Liberal Democracy?”

12 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS STUDENTS GET HANDS ON WITH THE FEDERAL ELECTION STUDENTS IN A THIRD-YEAR voters. “One thing that makes these stu- A rewarding experience Political Science class at Dalhousie will dents particularly suited to this work,” Out of a class of about 30, only two get to make the most of this month’s she says, “is that people will come in students won’t be filling paid Elections federal election, operating the voting of- wanting to vote for Justin Trudeau, for Canada positions. The first, as an inter- fice on campus for an election experi- example, and the students are able to national student, is not eligible to work ence that’s about as hands-on as it gets. explain how the Canadian electoral sys- as a poll worker and will be accommo- It’s an idea that started with the 2015 tem works.” dated with related activities. The second federal election, when Elections Canada has decided to continue working for a launched a pilot project with on-campus Voting by special ballot specific candidate and will use that ex- voting offices that allowed students to Training for this work is in-depth be- perience for his report. easily register and vote by special ballot. cause the Political Science students will “It’s a requirement of the course that Political Science Professor Louise Car- be walking voters through the process he do not just canvassing but also some bert was quick to see the opportunity of using the special ballot process. In- elections administration,” Dr. Carbert for experiential learning in her class. stead of using a paper list of voters, reg- explains. “So, he’s going to be working “It’s a third-year class in Canadian istration officers will check ID and con- at a polling station on October 21st in a politics, so they know quite a bit about firm information on a computer and capacity with the political party.” Canadian politics, but this is an oppor- then supply each voter with a blank bal- The election administration assign- tunity to learn the nuts and bolts of how lot so they can write in the name of ment is valued at 30 per cent of the stu- elections actually work,” says Dr. Car- their preferred candidate (they can ask dents’ grades and it includes a fun, bert. “The point of the exercise is to for a list of candidates in their riding) practical component. Once the practi- learn about elections administration “This is being operated on campus cum has concluded, Dr. Carbert wants and to see how the whole complicated, by students but it’s not exclusive to stu- all the students to summarize their ex- bureaucratic operation of Elections Can- dents,” notes Dr. Carbert. “It’s on cam- perience as if they were writing for their ada in works in practice.” pus to promote youth voter engage- resume or LinkedIn profile. She finds it’s ment but any Canadian can come and a great way to get the students think- Putting theory vote. That said, it’s a write-in ballot: you ing about how this could benefit them into practice have to be sure to spell everything cor- in the future. By working with Elections Cana- rectly, so your ballot won’t be spoiled.” “For Political Science students to go da, Dr. Carbert was able to develop a out working in political-related jobs in paid practicum that integrates into the the public sector, this is a really nice en- course curriculum, with accompanying try on their resumé.” assignments and readings. Designed to provide insight into elections adminis- Stefanie Wilson - October 4, 2019 tration, the practicum includes an in- class orientation from Elections Can- ada and in-depth training before they take on their roles as poll clerks and registration officers at the campus voting office. This year, Vote on Campus is a full-fledged program with increased hours and days of operation so the students will have even more opportunity to participate. While Dr. Carbert says this level of involvement in the administrative activities of an election provides the class with great learning and perspective, her students’ knowledge about Canadian politics is also helpful to the The voting office at Dalhousie will be open for five consecutive days in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Student Union Building (SUB). (Emma Jones photo)

13 UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM NEWS

THE WORK OF THE UNDERGRADUATE Political Science degree that we could pleted the winter term, others were not advisor includes a number of elements share with prospective students, please able to achieve the academic results that remain constant from year to year: let us know ([email protected]; that they had hoped for or become ac- helping students to choose courses [email protected]). customed to. One response from the and navigate their way through their This year, the covid19 crisis obvious- university has been to allow students to degree options, reviewing their plans ly created some new challenges as it choose a “Pass” grade instead of a letter to study abroad, and answering ques- caused significant disruption for stu- grade for winter 2020 classes. This will tions from prospective students and oc- dents, faculty, staff, and other mem- require advising discussions with many casionally parents. In addition, there bers of the university community. In students in the days ahead to ensure is a role in helping to recruit students a short time, classes that were de- that they are making informed choic- to the department through the annu- signed to be taught in person had to es about their options. Looking ahead to al Open House for high-school students, be moved online. In addition to adapt- the 2020-21 academic year and the pos- the Program and Major Expo for curing to new modes of learning, stu- sibility that it may be conducted partly rent Dalhousie students considering dents faced a range of other stresses in- or largely online, there will be new chal- program options, and the advising lun- cluding a need for many to move back lenges in helping students succeed in cheon for King’s College students. Cur- home or find new housing on short no- a very different academic environment rent students and past graduates re- tice, economic uncertainty due to lost and in promoting the department to main the best ambassadors for the jobs and diminished near-term pros- prospective students. department at such events given their pects, and anxieties about their own ability to speak about how Political Sci- health and that of family members. Al- Anders Hayden, Undergraduate Advisor ence has benefitted them. If you have though many students successfully nav- your own thoughts about the value of a igated these challenges as they com-

2019-20 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARD/PRIZE WINNERS

NICK HARRIS, BA Candidate: Major HANNAH PLETZ, BA Candidate: Ma- NOAH DAVIS, BA Candidate: Major in in Undeclared Arts has been award- jor in Political Science with a Minor Political Science with a Minor in Law, ed the Commonwealth Political in Psychology has been awarded The Justice & Society has been awarded Science Prize. This prize is awarded H.B. McCulloch Memorial Prize. The Rear Admiral Crickard Essay annually to the student who receives This prize is awarded annually to the Prize. This prize will be awarded the highest grade in Political Science student who, among all the first- and annually for five years commencing 2410 and 2420. The Commonwealth second-year students registered in May 2020 for the best written Prize was established by John Beve- in introductory classes in Political Undergraduate Student paper in ridge, who graduated from Dalhousie Science, is judged to have written the International Relations. University in 1971. best essay in the second term.

TALINE SELMAN, BA Honours LUKAS PAHAPILL-OSOSTOWICZ, Candidate: Political Science and Law, BA Candidate: Honours in Politi- Justice & Society has been awarded cal Science has been awarded The The Eric Dennis Gold Medal. Found- James H. Aitchison Award. In 1979 ed by Senator William Dennis and Colleagues of Dr. J.H. Aitchison Mrs. Dennis, this medal is awarded established a fund from which an upon graduation to the student who annual prize would be awarded in rec- stands first among those taking First ognition of the best undergraduate Class Honours in Government and Honours essay. The fund was estab- Political Science. This is the Universi- lished to honour Professor Aitchison ty Medal in Political Science. who was instrumental in founding the department.

14 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS THE DALHOUSIE UNDERGRADUATE POLITICAL SCIENCE SOCIETY (DUPSS) THIS YEAR THE DALHOUSIE Undergraduate Political Science Society was back with a bang! The society reached new heights, planning more events than ever before in both the fall and winter semesters. During the Canadian federal election, we made our presence on campus known by set- ting up information booths to help student become informed voters. We also held debate and election night viewing parties with thematic drinks. Our annual “Meet the Faculty” event was kicked up a notch by providing Canadian-political-party-themed grilled cheese sand- tives from the Rowe School of Business, most esteemed professors, Dr. Marcel- wiches and lemonade. Through events the Schulich School of Law, and our la Firmini, who was awarded the first such as our games night, fall AGM, very own department’s Grad students, annual Faculty Award—an award creat- exam study sessions, and Halloween while Honours Tinder allowed for a re- ed by students to recognize a professor bake sale, we were able to foster com- laxed discussion between current and who demonstrates exceptional teaching munity and connect with the political prospective honours students and fac- abilities, extensive knowledge and pas- science student body. On the academ- ulty. The society also hosted our second sion for their subject matter, and a deep ic front, we also kickstarted our second “All Party Pizza Party” which brought to- commitment to their students’ learning round of the Dalhousie Political Net- gether representatives from all four ma- and well-being. working Initiative (DPNI) which gave jor Canadian political parties and was Although we were disappointed to students the opportunity to get hands- attended in record-breaking numbers. have not been able to host our planned on experience working in political offic- During the early stages of the Ameri- “Fireside Chat” with policy specialists, es across the province. Once again, the can democratic nominations we host- nor our end of year “POLIBEER”, next initiative generated positive feedback ed a Super Tuesday event with thematic year’s council is already gearing up to and will hopefully continue next year. drinks and political trivia. plan even more networking, social, and We threw some of our most original The third annual Political Science academic events for students in politi- events to date in the winter semester: Gala and Journal Launch which we held cal science. “So you’re thinking about grad school at the Four Points Hotel, was our last This year’s council was an incredi- (SYTAGS)” and “Honours Tinder” both event of the academic year. This Gala bly hardworking team with a passion allowed us to help students navigate was well attended and allowed us to for politics and student engagement. their academic goals moving forward. honour the students published in our We are incredibly honoured to have re- SYTAGS brought together representa- student journal, and also one of our ceived the Dalhousie Impact Award for Most Impactful Faculty and Departmen- tal Society. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during this challenging yet memorable year. We owe a special thank-you to the De- partment of Political Science, which continuously supports our efforts to provide students with great opportunities. We look forward to welcoming the new executive and eagerly anticipate their significant achievements to come!

Taline Selman, DUPSS President

15 LUKAS PAHAPILL-OSOSTOWICZ on completing his BA Honours (Political Science) and being a MITACS Award Holder

AFTER SPENDING MY FIRST YEAR an Union Centre of Excellence. Through Research Award to conduct indepen- at the University of King’s College in my work at JMEUCE, I had the privilege dent research abroad in London, En- the Foundation Year Program, I transi- to meet numerous influential human- gland, at Queen Mary University. My tioned to Dalhousie to pursue an hon- ities scholars from across the world, in- success with the award was undoubt- ours degree in political science. While cluding my future graduate school ad- edly due in large part to Dr. Zaiotti for each year of my degree has been excit- visor, Dr. Oliver Schmidtke, from the sharing his expertise, network of col- ing and academically invigorating, this University of Victoria. leagues and nuanced feedback. Un- past academic year has been especially My successful final year was bol- der the supervision of Dr. Sarah Wolff, rewarding. Early in October, I began my stered by participation in the Under- my project explores the relationship be- honours thesis with Dr. Ruben Zaiotti, graduate Political Science Society tween migration and popular attitudes which investigates how right-wing pop- (DUPSS). Together with the other mem- towards EU participation, explicitly fo- ulist parties in Europe have been affect- bers, we organized numerous success- cusing on EU member states that have ed by political and cultural crises. ful events and programs across campus become skeptical of their membership Working with Dr. Zaiotti was very en- to bring together politically engaged un- in the Union. Overall, my years at Dal- riching. His continuous support led to dergraduates. housie and King’s were thoroughly re- him encouraging me to apply for em- In an exciting culmination to the year, warding and inspired me to continue ployment at the Jean Monnet Europe- I was awarded the MITACS Globalink my research after my undergrad degree.

16 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS HONOURS PROGRAMME REPORT

IT WAS A CHALLENGING, BUT tance of supervisors and second read- ditional department luncheon and full ultimately rewarding year for our hon- ers, they all managed to keep engaged university graduation. We would like to ours students. Despite the challeng- and bring their projects to a success- salute their achievement and hopefully es created by closure of campus due ful conclusion. 7 will graduate in spring find ways to connect and acknowledged to Covid-19 pandemic in mid-March, while 3 will take summer or fall credits them in the near future when campus all the 10 students successfully com- and graduate soon. life returns to normal. Meanwhile we ex- pleted their honours project this year. One of the true costs of the disrup- tend our heartfelt congratulations to all. Through a combination of remote oral tion to winter term was the ability of the defenses and written question and an- honours students to properly celebrate Dr. Robert Finbow swer formats, and with the stellar assis- their accomplishments, with the tra-

SOFIA CORDERO ALVAREZ SAVANNAH HEATLEY LUKAS PAHAPILL-OSOSTOWICZ The Effect of Populism on Latin Amer- How Right is Twitter? Social Media, The Reactionary Mechanism of ican Democracy: A Comparative Anal- Political Communication and Populist Populism Evidence from Estonia ysis of Political Participation, Social Parties in European Parliament and Italy Inclusion and Redistribution Supervisor: Ruben Zaiotti Supervisor: Ruben Zaiotti Supervisor: Robert Finbow HAILEY JARVIS TALINE SELMAN MURPHY DAROCHA Shifting Responsibility: The viability of What Are Peoples? Rights, Territory, Reducing Barriers to Adoption in the the African Union as the main enforcer and Kurdish Claims to Province of Nova Scotia: A Compara- of the Responsibility to Protect in Afri- Self-Determination tive Analysis of the Benefits of Open ca, A comparative analysis. Supervisor: Marcella Firmini Adoption Legislation in the Other Nine Supervisor: David Black Provinces SACHIN SUNDHU Supervisor: Margaret Denike EMILY JOCKS ‘A Just Transition’: Analyzing the ap- Knowledge, Science, and Power: An proach to the phasing-out of coal — in NOEL GUSCOTT Inquiry into Indigenous Resurgence and Alberta and Washington State — from The “Ins and Outs” of Canadian Health Relationality the perspective of workers and the Politics: Tracking the Revolving Door Supervisor: Margaret Denike labour movement. Among Former Federal Ministers and Supervisor: Robert Finbow Deputy Ministers of Health BRIANNA PARENT-LONG Supervisor: Katherine Fierlbeck Beyond Motherhood: Western Develop- ment Policy and African Women’s Sexu- al and Reproductive Health and Rights Supervisor: David Black

17 E-INTERVIEW with Lukas Pahapill-Osostowicz, Bachelor of Arts: Honours in Political Science - May-2020 2019-20 James H. Aitchison Award Winner for best Honours Thesis

Q This award was created in honour Q What helped you with your in the political science department. of Professor Aitchison who was decision to take Political Science? For instance, a highlight of my degree instrumental in the founding of the Was there anything or anyone who has been exploring the intersection of POLI Department and was the head inspired you? environmentalism and politics with Dr. of the Department from 1949-1973. Hayden in Politics of the Environment How does it feel to be the recipient of A I’ve always been politically oriented. and more recently Politics of Climate this prestigious POLI award? I have strong memories of getting into Change. Currently, my research is heated dinner table debates with my focused on the recent wave of right- A My peers in this year’s Honours parents over various global issues. I wing populist political parties that have class were all extremely bright think what finally pushed me to pursue become prevalent in Europe in the last individuals with interesting essay topics, an education in political science were decade. so I was initially very surprised when the texts I read over my first year in I heard the news that I was chosen the Foundation Year Program at King’s. Q What are your plans after you for the award. Over the years I’ve had Certain thinkers like Hobbes and graduate in May? Any long-term the opportunity to develop personal Rousseau I would read dozens of times plans or goals? relationships with a number of my and were always on my mind. I think my professors, and our conversations often transition from King’s to the political A After a summer of planting trees in included discussions of past faculty or science department at Dalhousie really B.C I will be attending the University of classes offered through the department. emphasizes the unique relationship Victoria for an MA in Political Science. It was always interesting to learn how between the two universities. I’m enrolled in the specialized stream the department has developed over in the Politics of Global Challenges, the years. I guess through receiving Q Is there a particular area of specifically focusing on migration and this award I’m able to be a part of Political Science that interests contested borders. Regarding long-term that history by some measure, which I you most? goals, I’ve always dreamed of a job that believe is a very satisfying way to end would allow me to travel the world, my degree. A Throughout my degree I’ve been so perhaps working at an embassy mainly interested in topics surrounding “somewhere.” international relations. I’ve always enjoyed how diverse the courses are

18 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS WELCOME ALEXA DODGE, DONALD HILL POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW OUR DEPARTMENT sensual intimate image distribution pact of technology on society. Build- is pleased and among youth; and judicial interpreta- ing on her doctoral research on crimi- proud to welcome tions of digital technology in “revenge nal justice responses to “revenge porn”, the return of one of porn” cases. After completing a Dodge’s postdoctoral research will an- our graduates, Dr. combined honours in Contemporary alyze Canadian programs offering in- Alexa Dodge. Dodge Studies (King’s) and Political Science formal or restorative justice responses will be joining the (Dalhousie) in 2012, Dodge went on to to digital forms of sexual violence. As a department as a complete her MA and PhD in Legal Postdoctoral Fellow, Dodge also hopes Donald Hill Family Postdoctoral Fellow. Studies at Carleton University. She to continue teaching courses and pro- Dodge is a socio-legal scholar whose defended her dissertation in 2019 viding community-based education on research explores legal and extralegal and recently completed a limited digital technology’s impacts on law and responses to digital forms of sexual term appointment as an Assistant justice. Dodge will be working under the violence. She has published on topics Professor in Criminology at Saint Mary’s supervision of Dr. Margaret Denike and such as: the digital distribution of University. will be supported by the network of Dal- images of sexual violence; the role of The Donald Hill Fellowship provides housie faculty working in the areas of digital evidence in cases of sexual 3-years of funding for those pursuing law, justice, and society. violence; police responses to non-con- leading-edge research related to the im- GRADUATE PROGRAM NEWS

OUR INCOMING PHD COHORT FOR ed a SSHRC MA scholarship. Three MA 2019-20 had a 100% success rate in se- students – Catherine St Jacques, Amy curing external scholarships (Grant Cur- MacKenzie, and Davis Yuzdepski – suc- tis won a Nova Scotia Graduate Schol- cessfully defended their theses. In arship!) The second-year PhD cohort March, the universe as we know it went THE DORIS BOYLE was very productive this year – all four into a tailspin, and all new graduate the- GRADUATE of them survived their comprehensive sis defences will be conducted online. PRIZE WINNER exams with minimal bruising, and ma- I have no doubt that the digital gener- GRANT CURTIS, PhD Candidate: jor awards were won by Tristan Cleve- ation will take this in stride (and facul- has been awarded The Doris Boyle land (both SSHRC and Killam) and Julia ty are being very brave) and so we enter Prize for Best Graduate Essay. The Rodgers (MSSU scholarship for pa- a new era… prize is awarded for the best essay tient-oriented research). Not to be out- written by a graduate student in done, Adam MacDonald in the third- Katherine Fierlbeck, the area of international relations. year cohort also won both a SSHRC and Graduate Coordinator Doris Boyle served for many years a Killam, and Ben Andrews was award- as Administrative Secretary of the Centre for the Student of Secu- rity and Development (formerly Centre for Foreign Policy Studies), from its creation in 1971 until her retirement. The prize was created by faculty and research staff of the Centre to honour her contributions to the activities of the Centre.

DGSPS at a taping of This Hour Has 22 Minutes

19 GLYN BERRY SCHOLAR AND SHAW- PARPART SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Nafisa A. Abdulhamid (PhD Candidate) I AM HONOURED TO BE RECOGNIZED ter doing field work for my dissertation as both the Glyn Berry Scholar and the and conducting elite interviews with in- recipient of the Timothy Shaw & Jane dividuals at the United Nations in Nai- Parpart Scholarship in Political Science. robi, the African Union in Addis Ababa, This past year, I was inspired by both and the United Nations Support for Mis- Dr. Berry’s unwavering commitment to sion offices in Kampala. I was also able humanitarianism and post-war recon- to access the libraries at the African struction, and Drs. Shaw and Parpart’s Union headquarters and the United Na- connection to the African continent. I tions campus. In the process, I became carried these with me in my research a huge advocate for field work, believ- toolbox as I embarked on fieldwork in ing that conducting interviews with East Africa. foreign policy and development prac- After defending my research proposal titioners, government officials, peace- and wrapping up my academic and per- keepers, and military personnel uncov- sonal life in Halifax, I left for Mombasa, ers important, and often untold, stories Kenya in late June and spent the rest about different communities and situ- of the summer with my family. While in ations. In the field, I sought to conduct Kenya, I continued to work on my book meaningful research in ways that will curve for me. I look back at this course, chapter on mobile money and finan- continue to tell the untold and forgotten and everything it took to develop and cial mobilization in Africa. In particular, stories of the Somali people so that one teach it, and I am grateful for the op- I explored the impact of mobile money day my findings will positively impact portunity to do this kind of “teach- transfer technology in Kenya, and I got policy changes on humanitarian inter- ing-while-learning” this semester. I am the chance to interview tech experts at vention practices that will actually pro- also grateful for all those who offered Safaricom, the largest telecommunica- tect civilians. advice and supported my teaching en- tions firm in East Africa. I am excited to While in East Africa, I was also (virtu- deavor. announce that this chapter is included ally) working with Adam P. MacDonald When I was not interviewing people in an edited volume, Disruptive Technol- to develop the course material and con- for my dissertation, or working on the ogies, Innovation and Development in Af- tent for POLI 2530: Foreign Policy – The- course, I was home. I spent the morn- rica, edited by Kobena T. Hanson, Peter ory and Practice. As a first-time instruc- ings asking my grandfather about how Arthur, and Korbla P. Puplampua. tor, building and delivering this course he experienced decolonization in Kenya, I spent the rest of the fall semes- was both exciting and a huge learning my grandmother told me stories about what she would have studied if she had had the chance to go to school, and I baked pastries with my sister ever Sun- day. I appreciated the art of storytelling as a way to pass on generational knowledge, and I got to learn so much about myself, my people, and my identity. Although this year ended quite abruptly, with the rapid spread of COVID-19, I remain eternally grateful for all the kindness, compassion and support I continue to receive from my supervisor, Dr. David Black, the faculty, and Tracy and Mary. I would also like to extend a special thank you to my fellow graduate students, the “Core Five,” for making me laugh so hard this year – you folks are the absolute best!

20 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS MARGARET MEAGHER SCHOLARSHIP Allyssa Walsh, MA Candidate

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE HONOUR has made a significant impact on my you for your support and encourage- it has been to have received the Marga- professional development. ment throughout this program. I have ret Meagher Scholarship. This past year, As a first-generation university stu- learned so much from each of you, and I while I had the privilege to sit in the dent, it has been a very humbling ex- cannot wait to see the incredible things classroom and expand my learning, it perience to continue my education you go on to do after this program. The was not lost on me that this was made through the MA program. It has been a future is looking very bright. possible through the award whose dream come true to be able to expand As Dalhousie’s Political Science De- namesake has such significance to our my skills as a researcher and to expand partment laid the foundation for Dr. Me- local history. Dr. Margaret Meagher was my knowledge on this complex world agher and her career, it has done the a changemaker, and she laid the foun- we live in. I am grateful for every chal- same for me. It has been a home to me dation for women in the field of Inter- lenging question, every assignment, for the past five years, and I will always national Relations. As a young woman and every conversation that pushed me remember it as the place where my life hoping to make a career in this field, I to expand my thinking. I am especial- began. I will hold the legacy of Dr. Me- look up to her legacy and aspire to em- ly thankful for the professors I have had agher close to my heart and allow it body the determination and courage this past year who have made it such a to guide me through the exciting next that Dr. Meagher exemplified through- wonderful experience. I must say a spe- chapter of my journey. out her life and her career. cial thank-you to Dr. Fierlbeck who has My education at Dalhousie Universi- been a great support for me and my ty has been exemplified by the unique colleagues as we navigate the gradu- opportunities that have been available ate program. I also must express my ut- to me during my time here both as an most gratitude to Tracy and Mary for undergraduate and a graduate student the hard work they do to ensure that in the Political Science Department. the program runs smoothly and to help During my MA I have been able to con- us graduate students stay on track. We tinue to work with the Roméo Dallaire would be both figuratively and literally Child Soldiers Initiative as a Commu- lost without you. nications and Research Assistant. This It feels like only yesterday I was meet- opportunity has allowed me to expe- ing my small – but mighty – graduate rience first-hand how my studies con- cohort for the first time. I never could nect to the workforce in my desired ca- have imagined the ways that we would reer path. This combination of work and laugh and grow together in the coming education has been truly enriching and months. To Grant, Emily, and Ben, thank POLI GRADUATE STUDENTS

TARI AJADI as a Junior Analyst. My role is to draft Morning, News 95.7’s The Sheldon (PhD Candidate a conceptual framework for how the MacLeod Show, and also on Global and MacEachen agency collects data about social News. I created and co-hosted a panel Junior Fellow) inclusion in Canada. This role has been to kick off Black History Month at Despite these instrumental in shaping my approach Dalhousie, and spoke on a panel to unprecedented to my academic research by giving me commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King times, this valuable insights about the politics of Jr. Day. All this while maintaining a academic year data collection protocols in Canada. thriving social life thanks to the Political has been filled with new insights This year, I was able to attend a Science Graduate Student Society! and opportunities. I successfully passed plethora of academic conferences A heartfelt thanks to all alumni who my comprehensive exams in Canadian including CPSA 2019, the International donate so that graduate students like and Comparative Politics, and I am now Conference on Public Policy, the Palmer myself can attend and participate in working on developing my research Conference and more. I’ve managed to conferences. Hopefully we will be able program for the rest of my degree. I publish articles in Canadian Diversity, to do so again soon. have been working, alongside my as well as The Coast newspaper, while academic exploits, for Statistics Canada also appearing on CBC’s Information Continued on next page

21 POLI GRADUATE STUDENTS cont’d

BEN ANDREWS I was accepted as a Junior Fellow with ADAM (MA Candidate) the Defence and Security Foresight MACDONALD Just a few weeks Group (DSFG), a network of academics (PhD Candidate removed from a who provide Canada’s Department of and Deputy three-month tree- National Defence with foresight on Director of planting season, pivotal defence and security issues. CSSD) This past I began my Unfortunately, a planned DSFG policy year has been a MA in Political brief training workshop scheduled to very challenging Science at Dalhousie. The transition coincide with the 2020 International but rewarding one. I was honored to be was more daunting for the fact that Studies Association conference in a recipient of the SSHRC, Killam and I had a kinesiology undergrad and Hawaii was cancelled due the Covid-19 MINDS doctoral scholarships. I am, as little previous experience studying pandemic; the workshop subsequently well, part of two Government of Canada politics. The past eight months have was held virtually. funded academic networks – The been challenging but rewarding. Defence and Security Foresight Group The highlight of my coursework was MICHELLE and the North American and Arctic publishing an op-ed in the Halifax LEGASSICKE Defence and Security Network – which Chronicle Herald about the Liberal (PhD Candidate) have provided platforms to further my government’s two billion tree policy. The last year has research. In my role of Deputy-Director Now that my coursework is completed, been both diverse of the CSSD I was able to help organize I am working on my SSHRC-funded and challenging and participate in several great events MA thesis, titled “Does Democracy for me. I throughout the year, with an emphasis Die in Darkness? An Examination of concluded my on including grad students. Alongside the Relationship Between Local News field research in the spring of 2019, and Nafisa Abdulhamid, I was a co- Health and Municipal Politics,” under throughout the year have been writing instructor for POLI 2530, learning quite the supervision of Dr. Pruysers. Outside my dissertation. I am currently living in a bit about teaching (and myself) during the program, I published an article in British Columbia; however, this did not my first teaching experience. Thanks the upcoming summer 2020 edition prevent me from returning to Dalhousie to everyone, especially Nafisa, for of the Journal of Sport History on the in the summer of 2019 to teach POLI supporting me through this with advice, Canadian Football League’s use of 2520: World Politics. This was a new guidance and encouragement. During “willful nostalgia” to secure and justify class for me to teach and I used this these difficult times brought about public bailouts from various orders of opportunity to enhance my lectures by COVID19 I have re tailored some of government in the late 1980s. Thanks with a more interactive approach. I my focus to work on issues related to to all the students and faculty at Dal for finished the summer with a research the pandemic, namely the role of the making this a fantastic year! project for the Roméo Dallaire Child military in Canada’s response, to help Soldier Initiative, which focused on the ground me. I want to specifically thank GRANT CURTIS involvement of children in organized Julia, Nafisa, Susan and Tari for keeping (PhD Candidate) crime and gangs. Entering into the Fall in touch and checking in on each other. Following a of 2019, I took a position at Brentwood It has meant a lot to me. I hope we all satisfying career College School as a Resident Faculty stay connected as a Department during in international Assistant. This position has allowed these uncertain times and look forward development, my me to expand my teaching abilities, to seeing you all in person in hopefully first year of PhD with particular emphasis on mentoring the not too distant future. studies provided and coaching. I have also been heavily a highly reflective review of political involved in their debate program and SUSAN science theory, as well as a necessary am expanding their Model UN Program. MANNING and better-late-than-never attention The onset of Covid-19 has presented (PhD Candidate) to the importance of good research its own unique set of challenges and Susan has had a design. Having now completed more despite the social distancing and busy fourth year than my fair share of graduate school quarantine measures in place, I find in the PhD courses, including a surfeit of one-off myself busier now than ever. The school program. She research papers, I am eager to complete has transitioned to teaching over taught POLI my Comprehensive Exams so as to be zoom, and I have enjoyed adapting and 2220: Structures of Canadian able to focus on research and writing learning this new tool. And … yes of Parliamentary Government in the around the topic of Afghanistan as a course, I am continuing my work on my spring term. She conducted the failed state. Over the course of the year dissertation. majority of her dissertation research

22 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS during the summer and fall terms, and Halifax, I was completing my undergrad University of Cincinnati. Our focus as began writing her dissertation over the at Bishop’s University. In 2018, I was a research consortium has shifted in winter term. Susan also had an article selected for the Nicholas Bachand recent months to the spatio-temporal accepted by the Journal of Canadian Canadian Civil Society internship where risk mapping of vulnerable population Studies, which is forthcoming in next I interned at an English-language radio in relation to the on-going COVID-19 issue of the journal. She presented two station-CJMQ (88.9 FM). As a political crisis. I look forward to developing these papers at Congress in June, one at the commentator, I was able to pursue my research activities into publications, Canadian Political Science Association passion for Canadian politics by and hope to collaborate with others in Conference and one at the Women and reporting on political affairs at the the department on several potential Gender Studies et Recherches national, provincial and local level. With articles. Féministes Conference. Susan would an interest in studying Canadian like to thank the alumni and donors to elections and voting behaviour, I bid my ELIKEM the POLI Travel Fund for their financial province farewell and had my sights set TSAMENYI support in attending those conferences. for Dal. I am honoured to have been a (PhD Candidate) Susan also attended the Atlantic part of this year’s small cohort of 2019-2020 has Provinces Political Science Association master’s students in the Department of been a busy Conference in October and presented Political Science. My master’s courses but rewarding two papers. She is particularly honoured have enriched my understanding of year. I spent the to have been invited to be part of federalism, party politics, millennial year teaching APPSA’s first ever panel dedicated voters and social media politics. I also two courses (Introduction to Political specifically to disability policy and had the opportunity to learn firsthand studies and Introduction to Global politics. This year, Susan started a about the functions of polling districts Political Issues) at the International monthly series of professional as a service agent for Elections Canada. College of Manitoba at the University of development sessions for graduate and My interest in elections inspired me to Manitoba. I have also (on a happy note) Honours’ students, which were quite write my master’s thesis on the successfully completed a complete successful. She also worked on a representation of Anglophones in draft of my dissertation. It is titled SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grant Brome-Missisquoi in relation to electoral African peace, security and conflict exploring best practices in the use of boundary alignments. management: an African international gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) in society approach. The dissertation international impact assessment, with JULIA RODGERS examines the Africa Union’s security researchers from the University of (PhD Candidate governance mechanisms through the Guelph and an Advisory Circle with and MacEachen English School perspective within the partners from Amnesty International, Institute Junior field of International Relations. With Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Fellow) This the thesis drafting completed, I look Disabled Women’s Network of Canada year has been forward to the oral defence in late and the Canadian Research Institute for very eventful summer or early Fall, 2020. the Advancement of Women. Susan (to say the I have had the opportunity to pres- also continued her longstanding least). Beginning the 2019-2020 year, ent various ideas in my dissertation at volunteer work with Girl Guides of I was awarded the Maritime SPOR workshops and conferences throughout Canada, as a Unit Guider with the SUPPORT Unit Student Award and the the year. The most recent presentation Bridgeview District Rangers and a CIHR sponsored Building Research for was to the Faculty and students of the member of the National Programming Integrated Primary Healthcare Student University of Manitoba, in an event or- Committee, and continued volunteering Award. As well, I became a MacEachen ganized by the Political Studies depart- with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Institute Junior Fellow, which enabled ment in December 2019. In all my dis- Dog program with her dog Juno. me to begin youth engagement cussions, I touched on broad ideas in initiatives throughout high schools my research, highlighting key findings EMILY MASON across HRM. and their implications for the security (MA Candidate) In January 2020, my PhD cohort governance of Africa as a distinct soci- I reflect on my completed the comprehensive exams ety of states within the larger global in- academic career and transitioned from students to ternational society. I have been greatly with sincere candidates – congratulations to us encouraged by the positive feedback gratitude. I thank all! Efforts now focus on the thesis on my research, and grateful for all the my peers, the proposal. My on-going research in suggestions for improvement. faculty and the the community pharmacy policy Department of Political Science for sector continues through Dalhousie contributing positively to my experience Health Assured, working closely with Continued on page 25 at Dalhousie. Prior to my arrival in partners at Queen’s University and the

23 DALHOUSIE GRADUATE SOCIETY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE (DGSPS) WHAT AN EXCITING YEAR THIS HAS edges Tari Ajadi’s work within the Afri- been for our graduate students! We wel- can Nova Scotian community, particu- comed one new PhD and three MA stu- larly his work on the board of the Health dents into our program. In the fall, the Association of African Canadians, and graduate students went to a taping of his panel about Black policy issues in “This Hour Has 22 Minutes,” a comedy Nova Scotia. Lastly, DGSPS acknowledg- tv show that reports on the news. This es Adam P. MacDonald as the return- was an opportunity to welcome the stu- ing Deputy Director for the Center for dents to the department and Halifax. the Study of Security and Development DGSPS continued to work closely (CSSD). Adam was also instrumental in with the Dalhousie Undergraduate Polit- making sure the society ran smoothly ical Science Society (DUPSS). Together, while I was away on field work. we co-hosted the Poli-beer social, giv- The graduate students would like to ing both undergraduate and graduate say a huge thank you to our faculty, Tra- students the opportunity to socialize, cy Powell, Mary Okwese, the CSSD, and chat, and unwind. In addition, DGSPS the Jean Monnet European Center of was proud to support DUPSS with their Excellence for all the kindness, support, annual Political Science Gala that took and opportunities you provide for us. place in mid-March. We would like to of- Congratulations to all our graduate fer our most heartfelt congratulations students for a successful year – have to DUPSS for being awarded the Impact yourselves a safe and restful summer! Award for the most impactful Faculty or Department Society! What an excellent Nafisa A. Abdulhamid, achievement! DGSPS President DGSPS would also like to congratulate the current MA cohort for successfully completing their coursework and wish them all the best in working on their theses. In addition, we would also like to congratulate Tari Ajadi, Julia Rod- gers, Tristan Cleveland, and Richard Saillant for successfully completing and defending their comprehensive exams. We would like to recognize and thank a couple of individuals for their service and commitment to the graduate society, graduate students, the department, and the greater Halifax community. First, DGSPS thanks Susan M. Man- ning for facilitating professional development (PD) sessions for students and faculty throughout the academic year. Susan also began writing her dissertation, and had an article accepted by the Journal of Canadian Studies. Next, DG- SPS acknowledges Julia Rodger’s work as a Junior Fellow at the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Gover- nance. This year, Julia started running civic engagement seminars at local high schools to help introduce the youth to active citizenship. DGSPS also acknowl-

24 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS POLI GRADUATE STUDENTS cont’d

(ELIKEM TSAMENYI CON’T) cusing on Africa. I argue that epidem- I have also spent part of the year Based on some of the ideas from my ics, environmental calamities, as well working as a Research Assistant for the dissertation, I am currently finishing a as other non-traditional security threats Defence & Security Foresight Group (Af- research paper examining the effects of are going to remain our new normal. rica Group), assisting Dr. David Black ‘newer’, non-traditional security threats, Hence, Africa’s current security gover- and Dr. Jenny Baechler with organiz- including epidemics like COVID-19 on nance mechanisms, heavily biased to- ing a workshop for early next year. This the African international society and wards dealing with traditional securi- workshop will be focused on exploring its security governance mechanisms. ty threats, need critical re-imagination lessons from the UN peace operation In this paper, I assess the adequacy (or if the continent hopes to successful- in Mali. I am currently finishing the set- otherwise) of Africa’s current security ly own and deal with its security prob- up of POLI 2520, a World Politics course governance mechanisms to effective- lems. I hope to have it published by Fall I will be teaching remotely in the sum- ly mitigate and address these non-tradi- of 2020. mer at Dalhousie University. I am grate- tional threats going forward, with some ful to the department for the opportuni- interesting conclusions for scholars fo- ty and look forward to the experience. ALUMNI

MAYA HIBBELN, [published by The Palgrave Handbook to adapt to ongoing – and now new – BA Honours in of Contemporary International Politi- global challenges. Political Science cal Economy and Sport and Physical (Spring 2017) Culture in Canada]. I am thankful to Dr. PETRA REGENI, Following my Black who introduced me to the world BA Honours in graduation in of peer-review, publishing and also for Political Science 2017, I decided to work that required researching sport (Spring 2019) take a year off policy topics I knew very little about If you’d told me before continuing with grad school. (e.g. sport and disability, sailing and the at the start of my After taking the sport and politics class America’s Cup, etc.). undergraduate (POLI 3311) with Dr. David Black in third After some overseas travel explor- degree in 2015 year, and subsequently writing my ing the UAE, doing a SwimTrek in Oman that after graduating I would move to honours thesis on sport and soft power, and visiting family in the Netherlands, I Turkey to intern for a humanitarian I was especially interested in continuing accepted a spot at the University of Ed- organization, while travelling other in this field of study. However, because inburgh in the Sport Policy, Manage- Middle Eastern countries like Iraq, Israel most available Masters programs were ment and International Development and Palestine, I’d probably have choked geared toward sport and physiotherapy Master’s program. I found I still need- with laughter. Not because I wouldn’t or sport psychology, I was unsure if this ed a bit of ‘Scotia’ in my life so headed have thought they were interesting would even be possible. I was looking to Edinburgh, the capital of ‘Old Scotia.’ prospects; I just couldn’t have imagined for a program that was not only This Master’s focused on a wide range ever being capable of doing it. That’s policy-based, but that would also of topics including human right viola- the beauty about this department and expand on the in-depth topics I had tions of Qatari workers, the ongoing dis- faculty though: they equip you with the covered while at Dalhousie. cussion of sport and sexual identity (e.g. tools and confidence to do crazy things. During my year off, I thankfully found Caster Semenya), and issues of race, As a student focused on Middle East- my way back to Halifax a few times. This marginalization and financial inequali- ern politics, the slightly irrational part of began when I had the pleasure of as- ty (e.g. favelas in Rio, Colin Kaepernick, my brain said, “Go to the Middle East to sisting Dr. Dave Beitelman and Dr. Car- etc.). intern and get a first-hand understand- la Suarez with their dissertations (once Not only has Edinburgh been an ing of the political culture and region.” again, congrats guys!) Additionally, I amazing home for the past two years Which is how I ended up seeking out my had the privilege of co-authoring two but I love the humour and warm internship and moving to the city of Ga- chapters with Dr. Black in the realm of hospitality that the Scots provide. I plan ziantep, Turkey, roughly an hour north sport and politics that spoke to themes to stay here for the foreseeable future of the Syrian border, 2 months after of globalization, sport mega events and (Covid-19 permitting, of course). In leaving Dalhousie. the ongoing tension, benefits and con- the meantime, it will be interesting to sequences of large sporting events see how sport organizations continue Continued on next page

25 ALUMNI cont’d

I spent 6 months living in Gaziantep short) professional career, but it gave said, after completing my Honours pro- working for a Syrian third-party mon- me the confidence to dream big, be gram I decided against the traditional itoring and evaluations (M&E) organi- bold and chase my passions (even ones routes of Law school or pursuing a Mas- zation, Trust Consultancy and Devel- that lead me to Iraq). ters degree. I moved to the United King- opment. The work ranged from M&E dom to work, travel, and consider my fu- projects to capacity building programs SARAH ture. and training sessions - all things I knew WATSON, BA After spending almost two years ex- little about till I began working. Honours in ploring different avenues of work, con- Since it’s a third-party organization, Political Science tinuing to volunteer and network in the I got to work on a range of projects like with a Minor in UK, the serious illness of a close fami- gender-based violence and education Law and Society ly member brought me back to Canada. aid programs, and with a range of orga- (Spring 2017) Upon moving back to Ottawa, I decid- nizations such as Save the Children and My fascination ed to use my time to learn more skills, Welthungerhilfe. with Political Science came about while caring for my family member. I Now I won’t go too much into the unexpectedly and started rather late in took a course in basic coding. And an- technical tidbits of the work (in essence my degree, or what seemed later, other one in Digital Marketing, through I wrote a lot of reports using raw data) compared to my peers. While many in the University of Ottawa with a local but will focus on the experiences and my cohort had come to University agency. I continue to learn everyday knowledge I gained instead. This ranges knowing they would study Political about content marketing and copywrit- from travelling to other cities in Turkey Science, I couldn’t pick just one field, ing, data analytics and market research, like Kahramanmaraş for focus-group enthralled by the wealth of knowledge and web development. discussions with Syrian migrants on around me. History, sociology, Where once my writing and research their experiences as beneficiaries of an psychology, I wanted it all. It wasn’t skills were used to construct and ana- aid project; to reading interviews with until I walked into my first class with Dr. lyze academic theories, now they enable medical staff working in health centres Brian Bow, that I truly discovered me to perform market analysis for prod- inside Syria. International Relations and it all clicked ucts and services, curating content for I also got to work on organizing ca- into place. I would do my BA in Political targeted demographics. At the moment pacity building trainings, including one Science, focusing on International I manage all things digital marketing with the Partnership Brokers Associa- Relations, with a Minor in Law and for two Ottawa based companies, while tion in Istanbul. And perhaps my favou- Society. volunteering for a third not-for-prof- rite experience of all was travelling to Unlike the rest of my cohort, most of it Mental Health agency, also running Erbil, Iraq, twice to attend training ses- my political opinions had not yet solid- digital. In addition, I do freelance proj- sions on using the behaviour change ified around the time I declared polit- ects (mostly writing) for businesses all framework to design humanitarian aid ical science to be my major. I had dis- over the world, and consult for Shopify, projects. covered the tip of the iceberg, but there a multinational e-commerce company As a recent graduate though, the was still so much more yet to learn. headquartered here in Ottawa. most eye-opening part is realizing Truth be told, since graduating in 2017 I’m sure in another 3 years, I’ll be how all the theories and events we are (mere months after Trump was elected somewhere completely different, taught about in classrooms manifest president of the United States) my un- working on projects I hadn’t dreamed into the real world. In my case, I got to derstandings of politics, the justice sys- of. But as a wise professor once told see and learn about things like the im- tem, IR and the world in general has me in my final days at Dal, in academia pacts of the Syrian migrant crisis inside only continued to be challenged and to or otherwise, learning how to be Turkey and the continued effects of the grow. comfortable with the uncertainties of Syrian civil war on the everyday lives of Throughout the course of my time at the world is an essential component of civilians inside Syria. Dal I learned not only so much about learning to live in it. Since graduating a year ago, I’ve done the world around me, but about myself work I didn’t even know existed before and my thirst for knowledge. I was af- and travelled to Iraq (a crazy person- forded opportunities that, at one point, al dream of mine since becoming ob- I could have only dreamed of. I am so sessed with Middle Eastern politics). so grateful for my years at Dal and all But no matter where I’ll end up in life, I the time spent with some of the great- can always look back and appreciate the est minds I have ever met. Not only impact Dalhousie has had on my life. the world class faculty, but also my fel- It has not only built the foundations low graduates, who have gone on to do for my academic and (thus far still some remarkable things. That being

26 | POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWS DAVIS Teachers’ Federation. It is a position I my time in Halifax and at Dalhousie left YUZDEPSKI, MA hope to hold for a long time, and me with an indelibly positive image of Political Science includes everything I could possibly ask the east coast. I wish nothing but the (2019) - My time for – intensely political work, rigorous best to all of you, and in the better days at Dalhousie in research, enriching interpersonal ahead I have no doubt I’ll be back to vis- many ways relationships, and knowledge that my it the many great friends, colleagues, shaped who I am input will (hopefully) make a positive staff and professors I encountered today. I impact on the lives of Saskatchewan along the way. graduated with an MA in political teachers, as well as on public education Thank you all, and see you soon! science last year, and was fortunate to writ large. embark on a career shortly thereafter in This past while has been difficult for my home province as a Research and most, and especially for those in Nova Policy Analyst with the Saskatchewan Scotia. To this end I want to say that

27 DALHOUSIE POLITICAL SCIENCE (WITH THE CENTRE POLI NEWS is published annually by Dalhousie’s Department FOR THE STUDY OF SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT) of Political Science in cooperation with FASS Alumni Relations. offers an excellent undergraduate program (with Honours option) and graduate programs (MA and PhD) in a collegial, Editors small department. Our professors are known internationally Dr. David Black, Department Chair for their outstanding research. We offer a congenial Tracy Powell, Administrative Assistant social environment, enhanced by the entertainment and 902.494.2396 [email protected] environmental amenities of the City of Halifax. We offer courses and degree programs in four sub-fields: FASS Alumni and Donor Relations Officer • Canadian Government Janet Dyson • International Relations and Foreign Policy 902.494.6951 | [email protected] • Comparative Politics • Political Theory FASS Manager of Recruitment, Communications and Marketing Financial Aid: Full-time MA and PhD Students are eligible for Genevieve MacIntyre prestigious prizes, awards, and scholarships. These include 902.494.6288 | [email protected] the Glyn R. Berry Memorial Scholarship in International Policy Studies, Killam Memorial Scholarship, Margaret Meagher FASS Director of Development Fellowship in Political Science, Keens-Morden Scholarship, Lori Ward 902.494.5179 | [email protected] Timothy Shaw and Jane Parapart Scholarship, and other Graduate Scholarships and Teaching Assistantships.

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