RESEARCH

My research examines the relationship between sociodemographic diversity and politics in Canada, with a particular focus on gender and race.

I have two main goals: first, to develop research-driven responses to political inequality, and second, to train a new, more diverse generation of social scientists. I strive for research that contributes to institutions that are more reflective and representative of Canadian society.

My work is multi-method, and I use content analysis, interviews, experiments, and survey data as my primary methods. I am particularly drawn toward research that requires the construction and analysis of original datasets. Whether it is sifting through thousands of media articles, conducting more than 100 elite interviews, compiling comprehensive data on more than 4,000 electoral candidates, or coding the gender and ethnicity of thousands of political donors, I love work that presents data that is fresh but time-consuming to collect and which involves student researchers in the creation of new knowledge.

My book, Framed: Media and the Coverage of Race in Canadian Politics, received the 2017 Donald Smiley Prize, which recognizes the best book published in Canadian government and politics. I am the co-editor of six additional books, including the most recent, Women, Power, and Political Representation. Peer-reviewed articles appear in Electoral Studies, Politics & Gender, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Canadian Journal of Political Science, and other outlets.

I have been lucky to work with excellent collaborators on a number of projects. My research is supported by the Canada Research Chairs program and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. In 2023, I received Carleton University’s Research Achievement Award.

I am currently an Associate Editor at the Canadian Journal of Political Science.

Framed: Media and the Coverage of Race in Canadian Politics

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My four main research streams:

Representation

This research focuses on the political representation of race and gender, primarily in Canada. This work is institutionally oriented and traces patterns of inclusion and exclusion.

Elections

This stream examines the impact of race and gender on elections, including issues related to participation, vote choice, and outcomes.

Discourse

In this stream, I answer questions about media and discourse in politics, including those related to news coverage and representational claims-making.

Knowledge production

This research explores how race and gender are studied, measured, and taught in political science.

I have a number of projects in progress. These include:

Leading new work on diverse representation in municipal politics as part of the Canadian Municipal Barometer
Investigating how racial identity has been conceptualized and measured in Canada
Tracing how Canadian political parties have addressed immigration issues from 1967 to present
Studying representational claims in parliamentarians’ maiden speeches

Black on the Ballot

Black on the Ballot chronicles the experiences of Black Canadians in politics. Inspired by new research from Carleton University and Operation Black Vote Canada, the series shines a light on those who have run for and served in elected office: their motivations, triumphs, and unfinished business: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The podcast

The podcast gives an on-the-ground account of the hard work—and the heart work—that goes into being Black on the ballot. With episodes that both inspire and inform, this is politics, but with a purpose.

The report

Drawing on archival research, a national survey, and in-depth interviews with Black candidates and legislators, this report documents their backgrounds, motivations, experiences, and political aspirations.