Political Studies and Global Studies Professor Mark Williams Gives Probus Talk
On May 2nd, Mark Williams and Anna Toderas presented the economics chapter of their upcoming book Canada and the Shattering of World Order to the Nanaoose Bay Probus Club. Their talk was entitled “Canadian Prosperity and the Great Regression: Trump, Tariffs, and the World Economy.”
See more information on their talk here: https://nwbprobus.org
Political Studies Students Featured on CBC’s Flagship Radio Show The House
CBC’s flagship radio show The House visited Michael MacKenzie’s POLI 262 Representing: How to Be a Representative and reported on the representation game that Michael designed for his class. Listen to them playing the game and sharing their thoughts about political representation (the segment starts at 44:05):
Political Studies Professor and Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership Michael MacKenzie Publishes Op-Ed in the Vancouver Sun
Check out the op-ed that Michael wrote with Simon Pek (University of Victoria) and Alex Hemingway (BC Policy Solutions) for the Vancouver Sun. The op-ed is entitled “Want a More Resilient Canadian Economy? Double Down on Democratic Employee Ownership” and can be accessed here:
Political Studies Department Organizes Federal Candidates’ Town Hall Event at VIU
The candidates’ town hall event that took place at VIU just one week before the federal election drew a large and animated audience from the Nanaimo and VIU communities. The Malaspina theater was full. The audience got to ask questions of federal candidates Lisa Marie Barron (New Democratic Party), Michelle Corfield (Liberal Party), Paul Manly (Green Party), and Stephen Welton (People's Party).
Many thanks to Mark Blackell for organizing the successful event, Michael MacKenzie for moderating it, and students Brandi Klee (Political Studies) and Cait Kellendonk (Sociology) for preparing posters outlining the platforms of the different parties with Lauren Touchant’s help.
Check out The Discourse's article about the event as well as the interview that David Livingstone gave to the Nanaimo News Bulletin's Karl Yu about the outcome of the election in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding:
https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/nanaimo-ladysmith-candidates-engage-in-lively-debate
POLI 151 and POLI 301 Students Participate in Experiential Activities
Congratulations to the POLI 151 (Law and Politics in Canada) and POLI 301 (Implementing Human Rights) students who took part in experiential activities this week!
Mark Williams’ POLI 151 class took part in a First Ministers’ conference simulation. The First Ministers had to figure out how to respond to the tariffs recently imposed on Canada.
Jocelyne Praud’s POLI 301 students participated in VIU’s CREATE conference: Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) Henry, Kate, Mikayla and Sifa presented on Freedom of Expression in Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Akiva and QES Jessica presented on how the human rights of asylum seekers are being constantly violated in North and Central America.
Political Studies Faculty in the English and French Media
Professors Michael MacKenzie and Mark Williams gave an interview to the National Post about their ongoing experiential learning and research projects. Check out the article here:
Professor Lauren Touchant is providing weekly commentary and analysis to the French CBC about the federal election campaign as it unfolds in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Check out her interviews:
Saskatchewan (Pour faire un monde) : https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/pour-faire-un-monde/episodes/931203/rattrapage-lundi-24-mars-2025
Alberta (La croisée): https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/la-croisee/episodes/931811/rattrapage-lundi-24-mars-2025
POLI 100, 231 and 330 Students Participate in a Competition on Enhancing Civic Education in Canada
On March 7, Lauren Touchant’s POLI 100 and 330 classes and Jocelyne Praud’s POLI 231 class took part in a competition to develop either games (POLI 100) or policy solutions (POLI 231 and POLI 330) to improve civic education in Canada. Congratulations to the winners: the POLI 100 games “Civic Highway” and “Pursuit of Power”; the POLI 231 solutions “Political Poutine Podcast” and “Informed Beaver”; and the POLI 330 solution "Civic Nights"! Many thanks to all the POLI 100, 231 and 330 students who participated in the event and to senior Political Studies students Nikki Hearns and Claudia Huf who served as jurors.
Political Studies and Indigenous Studies Student Leah Vaisanen Wins 2025 Women of Influence Award
Congratulations to Leah Vaisanen for winning the 2025 Nanaimo Women of Influence’s Fan the Flame Award!
Leah, a Dean’s Honour List student, will be graduating this spring with a BA in Political Studies and Indigenous Studies. As VIU’s Indigenous Students’ Representative, she has had an incredible impact on the VIU community, advocating for Indigenous students and organizing numerous events to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2+) and Truth and Reconciliation. This past fall, she launched the No Hunger at VIU program to respond to food insecurity on campus. She has been hired as MMIWG2+ Policy Lead by the Native Women's Association of Canada.
In Leah’s words, “My greatest inspiration comes from the wisdom of my professors, the unwavering support of my family, and the shared strength of my friends. Each of them reminds me that knowledge, love, and community are the pillars of positive change.”
For more information on Leah as well as the No Hunger at VIU, go to: https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/it-makes-you-feel-not-alone-no-hunger-at...
https://www.chly.ca/local-news/2025/03/27/student-led-program-helped-fight-food-insecurity-at-viu
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2145129/insecurite-alimentaire-etudiants-nanaimo
Political Studies Professor Lauren Touchant Wins Prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship
Congratulations to Lauren for winning the 2025 Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships program!
Thanks to Lauren, the VIU Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program, funded by the Rideau Hall Foundation and Universities Canada, will bring together six VIU Political Studies students and three students from l’Université Gaston Berger in Senegal each year. Over the course of a year, participants will collaborate on hands-on projects to enhance the resilience of local communities in both Vancouver Island and Senegal while addressing pressing climate challenges. Through this initiative, students will develop their leadership skills and capacity for innovative problem-solving in sustainability. The program will wrap up with an enriching internship in Senegal and the opportunity to attend the UN Climate Conference.
This initiative will conclude with the creation of an organization uniting QES scholars and faculty from participating universities to address issues specific to coastal and island regions.
For more information on this initiative, contact Lauren Touchant: Lauren.Touchant@viu.ca
Political Studies Students and Faculty Serve Holiday Meal to 160 VIU Students
Many thanks to Political Studies students Brandi Klee, Sarah Mei Uhum, Sam Fortin, and Henry Sipos for helping to serve the delicious hot meal that Leah Vaisanen and Lauren Touchant cooked to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. 160 VIU students came to share the meal while watching Home Alone, courtesy of the Political Studies Students Association. This event is part of the No Hunger at VIU program launched by Leah and Lauren in September 2024.
This inspiring and community-building initiative has received much deserved attention from Canada's English and French media: please read The Discourse’s article (https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/it-makes-you-feel-not-alone-no-hunger-at...), Radio-Canada's article (https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2145129/insecurite-alimentaire-etudiants-nanaimo), and watch Radio-Canada's news report (https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/le-telejournal-colombie-britannique/site/segments/reportage/2010627/repas-gratuits-universite-de-lile-de-vancouver)
Political Studies and Global Studies Professor Mark Williams Takes Part in the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives Roundtable for Southeast Asia
Dr. Mark Williams was a featured presenter at the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI) Roundtable on Southeast Asia at the University of Victoria on November 21st. The roundtable, consisting of a select group of distinguished scholars, examined the prospects for democratic health in Southeast Asia and the region’s broader geopolitical dynamics. Participants discussed themes such as authoritarianism, the impact of global power politics, and how technology increasingly shapes electoral outcomes.
Political Studies and Global Studies Professor Mark Williams Holds Tenth Model United Nations at VIU!
Every year since 2014, Professor Mark Williams has tirelessly organized a day-long Model United Nations (UN) at VIU involving Vancouver Island high school students as well as VIU students acting as delegates for nations across the world. This year, the nearly 100 delegates to the Model UN had to build bridges with different nations and rebel groups and find solutions to the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. Nick Coghlan, Canada’s former ambassador to Sudan and South Sudan, delivered the keynote address entitled “A Nation at War… What is Happening in Sudan?” and assisted delegates throughout the day with his wife Jenny. Thank you to Nick and Jenny for sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with the delegates.
Congratulations to Samantha Skates from Wellington Secondary School, the South Korea delegate who won Best High School Model UN Delegate, and VIU Global Studies student and delegate for the Sudanese rebel group Rapid Support Forces Georgia Mason-Guertin who won Best University Model UN Delegate!
Many thanks to UBC graduate student Anna Toderas, who co-chaired this Model UN with Mark Williams, and to Michael MacKenzie, Jocelyne Praud, Laura Suski, Lauren Touchant, and Darrell Harvey for their assistance throughout the event.
POLI 100 Game Jams on Enhancing Youth Voting in Canada Featured in Local Newspaper
Two of games that VIU students developed for the game jam on enhancing youth voting in Canada that Political Studies professors Lauren Touchant and Jocelyne Praud integrated in their Fall 2023 sections of POLI 100 An Introduction to Power, Politics and the Public Interest have been featured in the Nanaimo News Bulletin of November 3, 2024. For more details about these two fun educational games, named Whack a Party and Sage Vote, please read the article here: https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/local-news/viu-developed-mobile-games-designed-to-stir-interest-in-federal-politics-7576553
POLI 100 Students Take Part in Game Jam on Lies and Incivilities in Canadian Politics
On November 8, the two Fall 2024 sections of POLI 100 An Introduction to Power, Politics and the Public Interest taught by Lauren Touchant and Jocelyne Praud took part in a competitive game jam whereby students had to develop games to combat lies and incivilities in Canadian politics within a limited time. Last year's POLI 100 game jams focused on enhancing youth voting in Canada and combatting mis- and disinformation in Canada. Congratulations to the two groups who won with their games “Parliament Peaks” and “Speak Up”! Thank you to all the POLI 100 students who participated in the game jam and senior Political Studies students Jessica Lee, Tony Miyoshi, and Leah Vaisanen who acted as student mentors and jurors.
Political Studies Professor and Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership Michael MacKenzie Publishes Article on Trust
Congratulations to Michael on the publication of the article entitled "As-If Trust" that he co-authored with Professor of Politics and International Relations Alfred Moore from the University of York in the UK! The article is published in the journal Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy and can be accessed here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13698230.2024.2423141#abstract
The Department of Political Studies and VIU’s Students’ Union Hold All-Candidates Forum
On October 8th, the Department of Political Studies and VIU's Students' Union (VIUSU) held the All-Candidates Forum. The Conservative, Green and New Democratic candidates running in the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island and the Nanaimo-Lantzville ridings came to the VIU campus to address five questions related to post-secondary students and education in BC.
The forum, which started with a keynote from Political Studies Professor and Jarislowsky Research Chair in Trust and Political Leadership Dr. Michael MacKenzie, was co-moderated by Political Studies Professor Dr. Mark Williams and VIUSU Chairperson and Political Studies student Sarah Mei Lyana.
Many thanks to VIUSU’s Caitlin Kellendonk and Janelle Wilson, Michael, Mark, and Sarah Mei for bringing this critical event together and enhancing democratic life in BC!
*Election Day is October 19th; Advanced Voting is October 10th to 13th and 15th to 16th; Students Will Be Able to Vote on Campus in Building 300*!
VIU Political Studies Running Team Raise $750
The Department of Political Studies is proud to announce that the VIU Political Studies running team raised $750 in support of breast cancer research!
A heartfelt thank you to all of our generous donors for their contributions.
Special congratulations to Political Studies students Claudia Huf and Henry Sipos and Dr. Lauren Touchant for completing the 5km CIBC Run for the Cure run on October 6, 2024 in Nanaimo. You made the Department proud!
Also, a big shout-out to Political Studies student Brandi Klee for her outstanding dedication as a volunteer during the Run and cheering on the VIU Political Studies team!
Political Studies at VIU Fest
The Department of Political Studies rocked VIU Fest! Congratulations to Political Studies students Eden Hudson, Nikki Hearns, and Hannah Downes for showcasing their amazing games at the festival. These creative projects were born from our POLI 100 course Introduction to Power, Politics, and the Public Interest’s Game Jam!
A big shout-out to Political Studies Student Representative to the Faculty of Social Sciences Brandi Klee for putting the spotlight on the Department at the Social Sciences’ Hub! And a huge thank you to Autumn Tuson for rocking it as the face of the Political Studies’ Student Association all day long.
We’re so proud of our students for turning politics into play. Way to represent the Department!
Political Studies Student and Faculty Launch No Hunger at VIU Program
To respond to the growing numbers of VIU students facing food insecurity, Political Studies student and VIUSU Indigenous Students’ Representative Leah Vaisanen and Political Studies Professor Lauren Touchant launched the No Hunger at VIU Program with the support of Elizabeth Brimacombe, Dean of Social Sciences, and Jocelyne Praud, Chair of Political Studies. The Program, which includes care packages that students can pick up on the 3rd floor of the 356 Social Sciences building as well as a free hot meal served every two weeks in the 211 lounge of the 355 Arts and Humanities building, is funded through Leah’s budget as VIUSU Indigenous Students’ Representative and the Embark Student Foundation and supplemented with donations from VIU faculty. Thank you to Political Studies students Brandi Klee, Sarah Mei Uhum, and Autumn Tuson, and Global Studies adjunct faculty Darrell Harvey who have volunteered their time to serve the meals prepared by Leah and Lauren. For more details on this inspiring community-building initiative, please read The Discourse’s article: https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/it-makes-you-feel-not-alone-no-hunger-at-viu-meal-program-fights-student-hunger-and-loneliness
Political Studies Graduate Brandon Charnley is Awarded Indigenous Youth Internship with the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions
Congratulations to Brandon Charnley for securing an Indigenous Youth Internship with the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions just after graduation! In his new position Brandon helps facilitate communication flows between the Ministry and First Nations. Brandon has also been selected by the Clean Energy Association of BC as one of four Indigenous youth emerging leaders who are making a difference in BC’s clean energy sector.
Political Studies Students Ekko Bonder, Spencer Dutchak, Mikayla Carson, and James McDermid Win Grants for the Model UN and the Wisteria Community Association
In her Fall 2023 POLI 222 Governance and Public Policy in Canada, Dr. Lauren Touchant had her students write grant proposals for different community projects. Two of the student writing teams’ proposals were successful: Ekko Bonder and Spencer Dutchak secured a $3,000 grant for the Model UN that will take place on November 15, 2024 at VIU, and Mikayla Carson and James McDermid secured a $25,000 grant for the Wisteria Community Association! Congratulations to Dr. Touchant and her POLI 222 students for these achievements!
Congratulations to our 2024 Political Studies Graduates!
Warmest congratulations to our newest Political Studies graduates --Connor, Rafael, Austin, Matipa, Brandon, Mike (top row from the left), and Katy, Kirsten, Hayley and Kiyara (front row from the left)—and best wishes to all of you on your next chapter! Many thanks to Political Studies Professor Lauren Touchant (front right) for chaperoning them on graduation day!
Political Studies Students and Faculty Present their Research at BC Political Studies Conference at VIU
Political Studies faculty and students contributed greatly to the success of the annual BC Political Studies Association conference that took place at VIU on May 2 and 3, 2024. While faculty presented and discussed papers, chaired panels, and moderated roundtables, Political Studies and Sociology students presented twenty research posters. Many thanks to everyone for their invaluable contributions to the conference.
Political Studies Department Hosts BC Political Studies Conference at VIU
On May 2 and 3, 2024, VIU’s Political Studies Department hosted the annual conference of the British Columbia Political Studies Association, which focused on the theme of Trust and Leadership. The conference featured two keynote events: Banting Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Morgan Mowatt (University of Victoria) delivered a talk entitled "A Package Deal: Indigenous Knowledge, Culture and Political Authority-Making" on May 2; and Jarislowsky Research Chairs in Trust and Political Leadership Dr. Cristine de Clercy (Trent University) and Dr. Michael MacKenzie (VIU) gave a joint talk entitled "Contemporary Challenges in Democratic Leadership and Public Trust" on May 3. The conference also included paper presentations on (dis)trust and political leadership, climate change, basic income guaranteed, community engagement and local democracy, the shifting geopolitical landscape, the state of American democracy, and contemporary debates in academia as well as two roundtables, one on water governance and the other on experiential learning, and twenty research posters presented by VIU Political Studies and Sociology students. Many thanks to Political Studies students Kiyara Armogam and Connor Hein for assisting Jocelyne Praud in organizing the conference.
Political Studies and Indigenous Studies Student Leah Vaisanen Wins VIU Faculty Association Community Engagement Award
Congratulations to Leah Vaisanen for winning the VIU Faculty Association Community Engagement Award! Leah has been working tirelessly as VIU's Indigenous Students' Representative and the BC Federation of Students' Indigenous Caucus Chairperson and as an organizer of community events to increase awareness of Truth and Reconciliation Day and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit and of cultural events to enhance the inclusion and well-being of Indigenous students at VIU.
Political Studies Professor Jocelyne Praud Edits Special Journal Issue on Populisms
Jocelyne Praud edited a special journal issue on the rise of populisms in the 21st century for the interdisciplinary francophone journal Nouvelles perspectives en sciences sociales. The special issue (19:1, November 2023) includes empirical articles on contemporary populist politics in Canada, France, Japan, and the US as well as theoretical articles on the substance and style of right and left populisms. French and English article abstracts can be accessed here: https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/npss/2023-v19-n1-npss09178/
Political Studies Student Tony Miyoshi Selected to be a BC Legislative Intern
Congratulations to Tony for this accomplishment! The BC Legislative Internship Program is a great opportunity to gain experience and work at the heart of BC politics. Please consider applying in your senior year. Tony is pictured here in Amsterdam which he visited during his Spring 2024 Term studying at University College Cork in Ireland.
Four Political Studies Students Win for their Research Presentations at VIU's Create 2023 Conference
Pictured above from left to right are our Political Studies student Create presentation winners: Tina, Brandon, Jasmine, and Leah. Two of the four presented research from Dr. Jocelyne Praud’s course Gender and Politics and two presented research from Dr. Lauren Touchant's Comparative Public Policy course. Congratulations to all!
Announcing our 2023 Political Studies Department Essay Prize Winners
Congratulations to Kyle Smith who won the lower-level essay contest prize for his paper, written for Dr. Jocelyne Praud’s POLI 100 class, entitled “Orbán’s Hungary and the Course of Illiberal Democracy.”
Congratulations to Jeremy Perkins who won the upper-level essay contest prize for his essay, written for Dr. Mark William’s POLI 332 class, entitled “The Future of Rentier States in the Middle East.”
The Department would like to thank all students who submitted their excellent papers. Stay tuned for details of our 2024 essay contest.