LA&PS Newsroom

Department of Sociology’s��lecture series,��Celebrating the Book,��highlights��new ideas��and latest research��

efulton — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:12:36 +0000

This fall,��the��Department of Sociology��will continue��its��new��lecture series,��Celebrating the Book,��showcasing��the work of its��faculty members and their recent publications.��Each author will��discuss��the��key themes,��questions��and contributions of their latest book,��showcasing��a variety of��research happening in the department.��The book series is open to the 91��ɫ community with events running throughout the fall and winter.��

Upcoming lectures include:

September 9: The Reality of Knowledge: Towards a Critical Realist Sociology of Knowledge

Speaker: Philip D. Walsh (91��ɫ)

October 20: Anti-Asian Racism and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada 

Speakers: Guida C. Man (91��ɫ), Chandrima Chakraborty (McMaster University), Sibo Chen (Toronto Metropolitan University), Muyang Li (91��ɫ), X. Alvin Yang (Max Planck Institute) and Henry Yu (University of British Columbia)

October 27: Work & Labour in Canada: Critical Issues, Fourth Edition

Speakers: Mark P. Thomas (91��ɫ) and Adam D.K. King (University of Manitoba)

November 4: Pandemic Urbanism: Infectious Disease on a Planet of Cities

Speakers: S. Harris Ali (91��ɫ) and Roger Keil (91��ɫ)

November 11: On Being Human: The Voice of Scholar, Poet and Activist Emma LaRocque

Speaker: Elaine Coburn (91��ɫ)

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the thought-provoking and timely work happening in the Department of Sociology.

The post Department of Sociology’s��lecture series,��Celebrating the Book,��highlights��new ideas��and latest research�� appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

Department of Economics congratulates graduating students

efulton — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:05:50 +0000

Ava Beck Leone

Ritvik Jain

Efe David Onowigho Onowotu

Faculty members of the Department of Economics extend a heartfelt congratulations to the graduating class of 2026, wishing every success to their students as they proceed in their academic and professional journeys. Recognizing the achievement of students who have completed their degree, faculty in the department are proud to see many of them continuing their studies in graduate programs at 91��ɫ, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and McMaster University.

"My studies in economics at 91��ɫ provided me with valuable insights into real-world economic challenges and the quantitative tools necessary to comprehend them. With this knowledge, I will be pursuing my Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Toronto this fall," says Ava Beck-Leone, who earned a B.A., Honours, Double Major Economics & Information Technology.

Students commented on how the sense of community in the department enhanced their experience. Ritvik Jain, who earned an Honours BA says, "In spite of being a transfer student, I didn't have any difficulty connecting with both faculty and peers during my undergraduate studies in Economics at 91��ɫ. It led me to find a passion for economics and inspired me to further my studies and pursue a master's degree at UBC."

Efe David Onowigho-Onowotu,��who��earned��a��B.A.��in��the program��says,��"Studying Business Economics at 91��ɫ gave me a strong foundation in economic analysis and allowed me to explore my interests in macroeconomics, public policy and cryptocurrency, while also providing opportunities to grow through leadership, networking and extracurricular involvement. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned as I begin my career and continue building a future in financial services."��

Congratulations once more to the��class of 2026.��

The post Department of Economics congratulates graduating students appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

School of��Public Policy & Administration��professor discusses city manager’s departure in The Hamilton Spectator

efulton — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:38:49 +0000

Marnie Cluckie, city manager for Hamilton, has taken a new role as the chief administrative officer of the Halifax Regional Municipality. Cluckie is one of several bureaucrats who have left Hamilton over the course of the last year.

Zachary Spicer, an associate professor in the School of Public Policy & Administration in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies at 91��ɫ, says he doesn’t think Cluckie was “pushed out,” despite many recent firings of city staff and a new mayor. Cluckie is well-regarded in the country’s “small” municipal sector and has been an agent for change, leading Spicer to suggest her good reputation likely influenced her new role in Halifax.

Spicer holds a PhD in political science from the University of Western Ontario. His research interests include politics and government, public administration, local government, smart cities, data governance and innovation policy.  

Read the full story in��.��

The post School of��Public Policy & Administration��professor discusses city manager’s departure in The Hamilton Spectator appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

What I Wish I Knew Before Starting University: Discovering New Freedom and Adulthood

baniiig — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:03:58 +0000

When I boarded the plane for the long, tedious journey to 91��ɫ, I was convinced I knew exactly what to expect. Having navigated private, public, and international high schools—and having been rigorously shaped by two years in the IBCP—I believed I had already survived the hardest parts of student life.

I expected university to be a breeze. I imagined having more freedom, less pressure, and enough experience to navigate whatever comes my way. After all, I already knew how to study effectively, collaborate across cultures, manage stressful exam weeks, and adjust my behavior in diverse environments.

Looking back now, I couldn't have been more wrong.

My first year challenged me in ways I never expected, but it also taught me lessons that no classroom ever could. If I could go back and speak to myself before my first semester at 91��ɫ, these are the things I would say.

Freedom Comes with Responsibilities.

One of the biggest surprises about university wasn't the workload; it was the heavy responsibilities that came with freedom. Unlike in high school, no professor is going to remind you to do your readings before lectures or check if you're keeping up with the syllabus. At first, I assumed the assigned texts were just optional references or "good to have" material, so I barely looked at them.

That was my first academic mistake.

I quickly realized that lectures make more sense when you've already engaged with the material. Yes, the readings can be long, dense, confusing, and boring, but they are never optional—they are part of the learning process. If I could go back, I would at least read the abstract, the introduction, the middle sections, and the conclusion before every single lecture. Doing so would have made the discussion questions clearer and allowed me actually to participate in tutorials.

The university gave me the freedom to direct my own education, but I initially forgot to lay the essential groundwork; there is no “optional” when your grades depend on it.

Good grades require a different kind of studying.

I used to think all courses could be passed simply by reading through the material and paying attention in class.

How wrong I was.

For 13 years, passive reading and memorization were enough to help me get an A or B, but university demands a completely different approach. Instead of just recalling facts, I had to actually understand complex ideas, compare contrasting perspectives, and think critically.

I learned this the hard way during my NATs midterm. We were told the exam would cover seven chapters and could feature any type of questions from multiple-choice questions to short answers and fill-in-the-blanks. With no clear format to guide my revision, I spent hours memorizing complex names and their definitions and details that never even appeared on the test. I learned that exams are less about predictable questions and more about understanding concepts. I also discovered my own optimal learning style: to truly retain information, I needed to actively write it down using flashcards and review them repeatedly, rather than just passively re-reading my notes.

University Is More Than Just Grades and a Certificate.

Another realization is that the university experience isn't measured only by exam results or the final certificate.

Participation matters. Consistency matters. Just showing up matters.

I found that the small, daily efforts I put in eventually carried more weight than any single disappointing grade. Whenever my calendar looked overwhelmingly full, I forced myself to start assignments early rather than pulling an all-nighter before the deadline. Going out with friends before reading, or I just closed my laptop when I was too tired.

These small habits made a huge difference in my academic progress and mental well-being.

From a Straight-A Student to Failing.

Throughout my school life, I had always been an A or B student. then came to 91��ɫ.

I remember revising extensively for one specific test, sacrificing time I should have spent preparing for my other courses because I was so determined to do well. When I received my grade—a 35%—I was devastated. I cried my eyes out and called a friend who had studied in the UK.

We both looked for alternative universities I could transfer to, checking residence options and visa requirements, because I felt like 91��ɫ was testing my sanity.

Now I can laugh about that, but at the moment, it felt like the end of the world.

Making Friends Is Not as Hard as They Say.

Many people warn you that it's hard to make friends as an adult, especially in a massive university setting.

Surprisingly, I met one of my closest friends during my first week at 91��ɫ. We happened to be sitting opposite each other in Curtis Lecture Hall; we exchanged a quick smile and started talking, and the conversation just felt natural.

Building a meaningful friendship takes more time as we grow older and become more selective about our circles and have standards for what types of people we could be associated with; it certainly doesn't mean it's impossible. As someone who used to be quite shy, my advice is simple: step out of your comfort zone. Join a club, volunteer for a program, or attend campus events. Sometimes, a single conversation can completely change your university experience.

It Gets Better at Some Point.

After surviving my first semester at 91��ɫ, I finally figured out how to navigate the campus, manage my workload, actively participate in class, and balance my responsibilities. 91��ɫ started feeling less like a place I attended and more like a community where I belong.

‘My final takeaway is that university does not just teach us what’s written in textbooks or which author said what and when. It teaches resilience, independence, and confidence.

Looking back, I don't regret my first year at 91��ɫ, and I wouldn't have wished for it to be any easier. I simply wish I had been more prepared for the realities of adulthood and all the responsibilities that come with it, but ultimately, all these experiences have shaped who I am now.

By Aline

Hello, my name is Aline, and I’m a Business and Society student at 91��ɫ. I’ve loved creative writing and poetry since childhood, and I’ve always been intrigued by the power of words, how few simple lines can make our hearts skip a beat or give us comfort. I enjoy emotional writing and the way words can capture feelings that are sometimes hard to express."��

The post What I Wish I Knew Before Starting University: Discovering New Freedom and Adulthood appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

Research led by 91��ɫ questions scientific nature, role of mental imagery

efulton — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:43:54 +0000

Most people are familiar with mental imagery: picturing a scene from a novel, mentally rehearsing a presentation or imagining an upcoming birthday party, for example.

The post Research led by 91��ɫ questions scientific nature, role of mental imagery appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

Politics professor discusses departure of��numerous��MPs in��The Canadian Press��article��

efulton — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 19:28:39 +0000

A recent The Canadian Press article examines the growing number of members of Parliament leaving office and the costs associated with replacing them through byelections. Elections Canada predicts this will cost taxpayers upwards of 24 million dollars with as many as 12 byelections by 2026, which is the highest amount since 1978. The high number of resignations is likely due to the Liberals winning the 2025 elections.

Dennis Pilon, a professor in the Department of Politics, commented on the trend in the article. While he said he doubts Canadians would want to prohibit MPs from resigning, the re-elections do come at a cost. Pilon also observed that many MPs are highly educated with a lot of economic and social privileges, which often means they get offered other professional opportunities.

Pilon holds a PhD in Political Science from 91��ɫ. His research interests include politics and government, labour, elections, democratic reform, class analysis and Canadian/comparative politics.

Read the full article in��.��

The post Politics professor discusses departure of��numerous��MPs in��The Canadian Press��article�� appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

Department of Politics professor discusses importance of municipal government in��Newmarket Today��

efulton — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:55:04 +0000

Dennis Pilon, a professor in the Department of Politics,��was��consulted for a recent��Newmarket Today��article on��the importance of voting in municipal elections. The article details why municipal politics is often disregarded��and the��important decisions made by municipal��leaders. ��

In the article, Pilon says that municipal government is the most forgotten of the three levels of government, since it receives less media coverage because its lack of party affiliation. He says despite this, municipal governments handle things that affect our daily lives, such as transportation, garbage, recycling and infrastructure. It benefits citizens to select leaders who are aligned with what they want to change in their communities.

Pilon holds a PhD in Political Science from 91��ɫ. His research interests include politics and government, labour, elections, democratic reform, class analysis and Canadian/comparative politics.

Read the full article in .

The post Department of Politics professor discusses importance of municipal government in��Newmarket Today�� appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

Economics professor��writes��article about caste inequality in��The Policy Edge

efulton — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:40:10 +0000

Sudeshna Maitra, an assistant professor in the Department of Economics, has written an article in The Policy Edge titled Why Caste Inequality Persists Despite Greater Mobility. In the article, she explores why caste-based inequality in India persists across generations, even as exclusion from education and employment becomes less central.

Drawing on a simulated model calibrated to 2025 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, she identifies two distinct drivers of disadvantage in urban India: barriers to entering higher-paying occupations and unequal rewards for disadvantaged-caste households once they enter those occupations.

Maitra argues that policymakers need to match solutions to the source of inequality. Expanding access should be assessed through measures such as representation and mobility, while efforts to improve outcomes should focus on earnings, security and living standards.

Maitra holds a PhD in economics from Princeton University. Her research interests are in development economics, health, gender, poverty and inequality. Her research often explores the economic processes that could be at work behind observed data.

Read the full article in��

The post Economics professor��writes��article about caste inequality in��The Policy Edge appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

Public policy professor��comments on��Sault MPP workplace affair in��Timmins Today��article

efulton — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:03:10 +0000

Ian Stedman, an associate professor in the School of Public Policy & Administration, was recently��quoted��in a��Timmins Today��article��examining public scrutiny surrounding Sault Ste. Marie MPP Chris Scott.��

The article discusses Scott’s conduct following reports that he had a workplace affair with a staff member before allegedly assaulting his wife. Scott was arrested and charged with assault on September 2, 2025, and ejected from Doug Ford’s PC caucus. While he has been an Independent MPP since then, many have been calling for him to step down.

While there are no strict laws or rules preventing MPPs from having relationships with coworkers, it is generally discouraged because of the power dynamics. Stedman added that voters “have a right to know” about the situation, since it speaks to his judgement and ability to act morally.

Stedman holds a PhD in law from Osgoode Hall Law School. His research interests include law and justice, science and technology, public sector ethics and accountability, as well as AI.  

Read the full article in��.��

The post Public policy professor��comments on��Sault MPP workplace affair in��Timmins Today��article appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.

Department of��Social��Science��professor��critiques new Safe Social Media Act in��Policy Options��article��

efulton — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:48:04 +0000

Natasha Tusikov,��an��associate professor in the Department of Social��Science, recently��co-authored��an��article in��Policy Options��examining��a��proposed��bill��by��Mark Carney to regulate social media.��

The��proposed��bill,��known��as��the��Safe Social Media Act,��aims to create guidelines for social media companies to act responsibly within Canada. However, the authors note that��since��social media companies have done nothing��in the past��to suggest they will act responsibly, the regulatory model needs to focus on restrictions related to advertising, design and business models, rather than simply providing an outline on corporate social responsibility. They argue that without��stronger restrictions, these companies will continue to cause harm.��

Tusikov’s research examines the intersection among law, crime, technology and regulation. Before obtaining her PhD at the Australian National University, she was a strategic criminal intelligence analyst and researcher at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ottawa. Her research interests include information technologies, crime, law and technology, private security industry, regulatory theory and criminology.

Read the full article in��.��

The post Department of��Social��Science��professor��critiques new Safe Social Media Act in��Policy Options��article�� appeared first on LA&PS Newsroom.