Research
My current focus is deliberative mini publics (DMPs) and public opinion. I am also exploring the relationship between representation and deliberation. I work closely with practitioners to ensure that research is grounded in practice. My research primarily focuses on Canada and Australia, with some work in the UK.
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I am trained in comparative public policy, comparative politics, and Canadian politics. I have experience and training in both quantative and qualitative methodologies.
Areas of study
Citizen representation in deliberative mini publics
I aim to deepen our understanding of representation within DMPs through survey data and through data from real-world practice of deliberation, to understand the extent to which deliberative mini publics achieve descriptive and substantive representation.
Public interest
To understand how deliberative mini publics may contribute to the democratic system, I explore the theories of public interest. I consider how we might operationalize the concept of public interest, and trial measurements using deliberative fora.
Theory and practice
Throughout my research I partner with organizations working in this space. I am interested in the gap between theories of democracy and deliberation, and how deliberative processes happen in practice.
Projects
CIVDEM@Mac
CIVDEM@Mac is a Partnered Learning Pathway in Civic Vitality, Democracy and Elections Management. The interdisciplinary minor equips students to work towards strengthening civic vitality, democratic resiliency, and electoral integrity, and empower underrepresented people to participate in the political and electoral process.
Role: Project Director
Funder: MacPherson Institute
Public Engagement in Health Policy
The Public Engagement in Health Policy project aims to strengthen health policymaking in Canada by providing a platform for interdisciplinary scholarship, education and leadership in public engagement.
Role: Research Assistant
Funder: Future of Canada Project
Winning the Civic Lottery?
Working in partnership with a practitioner, I collect and analyze data about who responds to invites to participate in DMPs. I aim to understand trends over time, individual and contextual factors that affect participation, and ultimately make recommendations to improve the representativeness of deliberative processes.
Role: Lead Researcher
Funder: SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant