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.
At present, my research is concentrated in four main areas:
Political representation
My largest stream of research focuses on patterns of political representation, including the presence of diversity in electoral institutions and how race, gender, and other identities influence political attitudes, behaviour, and vote choice.
Diversity in municipal politics
A subset of my work on representation looks specifically at municipal politics. It focuses on factors that contribute to more diversity in local governments.
Tools for studying, measuring, and teaching race and gender
Projects in this stream pinpoint how race and gender have been studied, measured, and taught and provide tools for improving knowledge production in these areas.
Discourse
Finally, my research answers questions about the role of discourse in politics, including issues related to media framing, news coverage, and representational claims-making.
I currently have several projects in progress. These include:
- Mapping experiences of, and responses, to identity-based violence in politics
- Investigating how racial identity has been conceptualized and measured in Canada
- Studying representational claims in parliamentarians’ maiden speeches
- Understanding how party practices shape the diversity of candidate slates
- Leading the diverse representation pillar of the Canadian Municipal Barometer
For an updated list of published research and recent papers, please see my CV.
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.
New research
The origin story of “visible minority”
This article examines the emergence, institutionalization, persistence, and eventual decline of “visible minority” as a composite category of racialized populations in Canada over the past 50 years.
Attacks on group identity
Explicit racism in political campaigns is rising, and some politicians now openly disparage immigrant, racial, and religious minorities.
Youth in politics
A new study explains why youth are underrepresented in politics
Black on the Ballot report
How do Black Canadians experience politics? What role does identity play, and what role should it play? Tune in to hear Black Canadians tell their stories.
Racist campaign speech and political engagement
Does racist campaign speech cause targeted groups to engage in or retreat from politics?
Intersectionality and candidate recruitment
Research examining how race, gender, and intersectionality shape candidate recruitment