Graduate Students
Current Grad Students
Joseph Ahorro
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Canadian and Comparative Politics
I am originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I also completed my BA and MA in Political Studies at the University of Manitoba. I began my PhD studies in the fall of 2006, with an interest in the state of Canadian democracy. My dissertation is entitled, "Revitalizing Political Parties as Agents of Democratization," which will contribute to the larger "democratic deficit" literature.
Outside of my studies and research, I enjoy traveling the world, encountering cross-cultural experiences, and meeting new people. It is only when we get out of our comfort zone, can we truly grow; and this can be achieved through extensive traveling or through new challenges by volunteering in the community.
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Edward Akuffo
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: International Relations and Comparative Politics
I entered the Ph.D. program in September 2005, after graduating with a MA in International Relations from Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario in 2005, and a BA in political science from the University of Ghana in 1999. My subfields are International Relations and Comparative Politics of developing countries. I taught a course in International Law and International Organizations at Brock University in 2005 and have held several teaching assistant positions for courses in international relations, international development, and political economy. My research is focused on Canada-Africa relations; I have an interest in human security, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction, international humanitarian law, international organizations, and Africa development. I am currently working on my dissertation in which I am exploring Canadian foreign policy toward the African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture and the West Africa Peace and Security Initiative. I am the President of the African Students Association here at the University of Alberta. Please feel free to email me at eakuffo@ualberta.ca if you would like to get in touch.
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Monty Bal
Program: Ph.D.
Areas of Study: International Political Economy and Comparative Politics
I was born in India, but arrived in Edmonton by way of New York, where I spent the majority of my life, Boston, where I completed by BSc in Business Administration at Boston University, and lastly England, where I completed my MA in European Politics at the University of Surrey, where my thesis sought to link British and German foreign policy in Central Asia in the 1990's to varying degrees of energy dependence.
My future research will focus on governmental action in Iceland and Lebanon leading up to the current economic crisis, and the resulting, and distinctly different effects of the crisis in these countries. I will compare and contrast decision making within the two countries, the role of domestic culture and institutional capacity in formulating risk calculations and concepts of stability in the domestic financial/banking industries, as well as their relation to global financial norms. Secondly, I will address the role of the financial "expert" class in advancing global financial norms, best practices and methodologies within these two countries. I hope this research will allow us better to understand how homo/heterogeneity in policy and processes in global financial markets, affects systemic stability.
Outside of geeking it up, I love indie music, Wes Anderson/Coen brothers movies, ultimate frisbee and I'm a die hard New York Rangers fan. I also tend to love all things British, particularly British comedy shows.
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Yu Bao
Program: Ph.D
Areas of Study: Comparative Politics and International Relations
I entered the Ph.D program of political science at the University of Alberta in 2009 My research focus will be “Global Governance by Policy Transfer: International Organizations and Administrative Reform in China”.
I have been working for the China National School of Administration for eight years. I was involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of senior civil servants training programs. I also worked for the first China-EU Program on Public Administration as a project officer. I received my MA degree from the Department of Politics at the University of York (UK) with a Chevening scholarship awarded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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Amee Barber
Having lived in four Canadian provinces at various points in my life, I have now returned to the city I was born in to 'explore my roots' and to pursue the PhD program at the University of Alberta. I completed both my undergraduate and masters degrees in political studies at Queen's University with a specialization in gender and politics. My undergraduate thesis allowed me to travel to Cuba to conduct research in San Isidro. There I met a wonderful group of women who helped me as I researched and wrote my thesis titled "Revolutionary Motherhood in the Cuban Special Period: A Case Study in San Isidro, Cuba." My master's thesis also took a qualitative feminist approach and I once again was able to meet several amazing women within Edmonton and Toronto who shared their stories with me. Their stories formed the foundation of my master's thesis titled "Escort Work and Motherhood: Case Studies of Edmonton and Toronto." In my thesis I argued that decriminaliztion and the recognition of sex work as work grants sex workers access to the support that other working mothers may have, but also directs attention to the societal stigma and discrimination that moralizes and punishes sex workers.
Ultimately, I argued that when sex workers are granted equal rights and access to supportive institutions they are capable of effective parenting. Beyond decriminalization, I made a series of recommendations based on the needs expressed throughout the interviews. One of which is the need for a reorientation of the Canadian policy climate towards one based on inclusiveness and deliberation. This reorientation, however it is achieved, will allow for sex workers (and all other marginalized populations) to gain influence over the policy decisions that determine or influence their own lives. My dissertation titled "Prostitution Policy Making Processes and Deliberative Democracy: A Comparative Study of Canada and the Netherlands" will address these concerns. Beyond my research interests in the areas of gender, women's rights, deliberative democracy and public policy, I am also interested in interculturalism, minority rights, environmentalism, and anti-poverty activism. While these interests may span the entire broad spectrum of social justice, I believe that all questions of power and oppression are intricately connected in some way. I currently work at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers as a researcher, but will be devoting myself full time to my own research in September. I leave for the Netherlands January 2009. Feel free to drop me a line any time: amee@ualberta.ca.
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Grant Berry
Program: MA
I am first-year MA student specializing in International Relations. My research interests include international security, global governance, resources and the environment and universal human rights. I am currently researching the prospects that environmental cooperation holds for international conflict resolution and peacemaking.
I completed my Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Alberta, graduating in 2008 with a BA in Political Science (English minor) and a Certificate in Globalization and Governance. I have worked in the vastly diverse fields of grocery, home improvement, landscaping, and coal mining. Currently I am employed part-time at a Criminal Law office. When I am not hitting the books or punching the clock, I like to indulge in the finer things in life: Heavy Metal, Kokanee and Guitar Hero. I am also an avid connoisseur of political satire, television cartoons, graphic novels, zombie flicks and gangster movies.
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Sevan Beurki Beukian
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Comparative Politics and Political Theory
I began my PhD studies at the University of Alberta in 2007. I graduated with a BA (public administration) and a MA (political science) from the American University of Beirut, in Lebanon. My MA thesis is a study of the transition process in the post-Soviet region, exploring the specific cases of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the transition. I conducted field work (mostly participant observation) for my MA in Nagorno-Karabakh, and I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the (non-recognized) Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2006. During the spring of 2007, I lectured on Middle Eastern Politics and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, as a visiting scholar at the Ural State University (Russia). My native languages are Armenian and Arabic, and I am fluent in both French and English (written and spoken), and I am currently studying Russian. Hobbies: swimming, reading (currently exploring Russian literature), and travelling.
My dissertation explores the concept of identity politics, and examines the impact of identity and nationalism in the nation-building process of the post-Soviet states. I am particularly interested in the study of the Southern Caucasus region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) and Russia. My academic interests include the theories of nationalism and ethnicity, nation/state-building in the post-Soviet region, the idea and concept of self-determination, and the status of minorities. On a different level, postcolonial studies have also captivated my academic curiosity, particularly the role of canonicity in the field and its relationship with knowledge and power.
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Geert de Cock
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Comparative Politics
Geert De Cock is a Ph. D. Student in Political Science at the University of Alberta. His research interests focus primarily on the security and defense policy of the United States and the European Union, transatlantic relations and multilateral cooperation. He holds a Bachelor in Law from the University of Ghent in Belgium and did an exchange year at the Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen in Germany, followed by an M.A. in European Studies from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. After his studies, he worked for a year as a parliamentary assistant in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. Then, he worked for a year as a communications officer for the Belgian Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism and for three years as a policy officer for the Brussels-based European social NGO AGE, the European older People’s Platform. In that position, he dedicated most of his time to the subjects of demographic change, pensions, and age discrimination.
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JD Crookshanks
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Canadian and Gender Politics
In my current studies, I look at Indigenous Politics in Canada, focussing on the areas of citizenship, representation, and governance. My MA is from l'Université d’Ottawa and my BA is from the University of Manitoba (St. John’s College). I was the President of the U of A’s Political Science Graduate Students’ Association President for over a year and I served three years as a councillor for the GSA. I'm very happy to now be focussing more on my own work! My dissertation looks at the effects of Canada's political-economic systems on urban Aboriginal governance and the realization of gendered ideas of citizenship.
Hobbies: political activism (still trying to get proportional representation in Canada and I fight for the occasional cause on campus), biking when it’s warm out, getting my money’s worth at the campus gym, travel, watching movies, the theatre, and gaming.
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Surma Das
Program: MA
Hello. My name is Surma Das. I am from India and I joined U of A as a Master’s student in Fall ’07. I am focusing on International Relations. I am interested in politics of racial and ethnic identity, nationalism, politics of post-colonial developing nations, Islamic and Middle Eastern politics, and the concept of “Orientalism.” Some of my favourite writers are Edward Said, Leila Ahmed, John L. Esposito, Fatima Mernissi, etc.
I completed my BA (Hons.) in International Studies (Area conc: Middle East) with a minor in Sociology and History from Ohio Wesleyan University, Columbus, U.S. in 2004. My undergraduate thesis was on Islamic Feminism in Iran. Post completion of my undergrad, I worked and lived in Calcutta / Bangalore (India) and Dubai (UAE) for the past 3 years. I worked in various junior to mid management positions in consumer behaviour and social research for an American advertising and marketing giant known as Millward Brown Associates.
I am currently a teaching assistant under the supervision of Dr. Tom Keating for his undergrad class of Poli Sc 260 (International Relations) and love conducting the seminars. Apart from politics, I like travelling, reading, watching movies and relaxing while cooking international cuisine. Please feel free to contact me at Surma@ualberta.ca
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Alexa DeGagne
Program: PhD
Fields of Study: Gender and Politics and Comparative Politics
I am a second year student in the doctoral program, having completed my MA at U of A as well. My PhD research examines American social conservatism in relation to Queer social movements. Although the history of the relationship between American social conservative and gay and lesbian movements has received some attention, insufficient researched has been conducted on how American social conservative, and gay and lesbian movements rhetorically conceive, construct and demonize each other, specifically in relation to claims of citizenship. My doctoral dissertation attempts to fill this gap with particular focus on how each group’s understanding of their counter movement conditions their respective definitions, boundaries and criterion for the ideal citizen, and how these conceptions are mobilized through California’s 2008 constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, Proposition 8.
I was born and raised in Calgary, but I can safely say that I prefer living in Edmonton (gasp!) with its more queer friendly vibes, excellent music scene and socialist haven in the university area.
This year several Political Science colleagues and I have undertaken some exciting projects. The PSGSA is organizing a student-run journal that promises to offer graduate students a forum for their work and will take a unique approach to the study of Political Science. In addition, the PSGSA will be hosting its Second Annual Graduate Student Conference in January 2010. I am your VP Communications on the PSGSA, so feel free to contact me with announcements for the student body, issues for the PSGSA, concerns that need to be brought to the department, and any other business at adegagne@ualberta.ca
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Chris Dyck
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: International Relations and Comparative Politics.
I studied Business (H.B.Comm) as an undergrad at Laurentian University, and then did a MA in International Development Studies at Dalhousie University
before coming to the University of Alberta in 2007.
My dissertation (tentatively) will be a political ethnography of state-society relations in Africa, but my interests are much broader, covering the development-security nexus; international security; political economy and anthropology perspectives on war; human security; qualitative research methodology (especially ethnography); conflict resolution; negotiation theory and IR theory. In terms of theory, I am interested in making links between the “micro” and the “macro” levels of analysis and find eclectic approaches useful in constructing a structured view of reality.
In the past, I have carried out fieldwork in northern Uganda, Sierra Leone and in northern Alberta in two aboriginal communities (Janvier and Fort Chipewyan). In 2005, I was part of the inaugural Canada Corps Internship program (now “Students for Development”) and interned with two civil society organizations in Sierra Leone.
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Brent Epperson
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Canadian Politics and Comparative Politics
Brent Epperson is a first-year Ph.D. student. He earned his BA (Hons.) in Political Science, French and Spanish literature in 2007, and his Master of Public Administration in 2009 from the University of Montana. In addition to general administration courses, his MPA research focused on the politics and administration of social welfare programs, child protection policy, and healthcare policy in comparative contexts. During his MPA, Brent also worked for one year as a human services specialist at the South Carolina Department of Social Services, where he had the opportunity to scrutinize social policy as both a researcher and practitioner.
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Jennifer Fischer-Summers
Field of Study: Canadian Politics
I am a first-year MA (thesis) student in Political Science here at the University of Alberta. Before coming to Edmonton, I attended the University of Manitoba where I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in History and Political Studies. Throughout my post-secondary career, I have been specifically interested in Canadian federalism as it pertains to intergovernmental and interprovincial relations. With regards to my thesis, I hope to closely examine the effectiveness of the institutions of intrastate and interstate federalism in representing regional and provincial interests in Canada, and how relations between the levels of government operate with reards to constitutional jurisdiction in the realm of social and economic policy.
Outside of my academic studies, I like to spend my time reading anything related to history and politics, listening to almost every genre of music, watching hockey or other sporting events, and enjoying the outdoors (swimming,skiing, hiking, camping, and mountain biking in particular). My favorite thing to do is travel across Canada or around the world and after graduation I hope to explore Scandinavia.
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Matt Gordner
Program: MA
I 
joined the Political Science MA program (thesis) in 2007/2008. Before enrolling at the U of A I received an MA from Tel Aviv University in Middle Eastern History and a BA (honors) from York University. I am currently writing my thesis on competing and overlapping Islamic/Muslim and Western conceptions of democratic theory. I am especially interested in cross-cultural democratic dialogue, discourses on Islamism (or Islamic 'fundamentalism), and competing narratives within the history and historiography of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
I recently returned from a summer internship on diplomacy and conflict resolution through George Mason University in Ramallah, the West Bank, with the Palestinian National Authority's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Working under Ambassador Khalid Al-Yazji in the Multilateral Sector, I was responsible for research analysis and political consultation, including providing briefings and media reports, human resource services, translating the Ministry's website and presenting seminars and workshops on a variety of subjects related to Palestinian politics and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
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Mikael Hellstrom
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Comparative and Canadian Politics
I specialize in the fields of Comparative and Canadian politics, with a particular interest in multiculturalism. My dissertation will compare the politics of ethnic relations and integration policies of Canada and Europe, specifically my native Sweden, where I did my BA and MA degrees (University of Stockholm). Before coming to Canada in 2005, I spent some years working for immigrant-driven NGOs, a practical experience that has inspired the above research. When not pursuing this work I indulge in the world of geekdom as much as possible.
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Kerri Holland
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Canadian Politics and Comparative Politics
Kerri has received academic degrees from Brandon University (B.A. Hon.) and the University of Manitoba (M.A.), as well as completed a legislative internship at the Manitoba Legislature. In 2007, Kerri entered the Ph.D. program at the University of Alberta and is currently working on her dissertation research. Having grown up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, Kerri’s research focuses largely on agricultural and environmental policy and she has a particular interest in the areas of intergovernmental affairs, interest group activity, and public administration. Kerri can be contacted at klhollan@ualberta.ca
Nong Hong
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: International Relations and Comparative Politics
I entered the Ph.D program in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta in 2006, and my subfield is International Relations and Comparative Politics. My dissertation is on maritime dispute settlement of the South China Sea. My research interests focus on ocean policy of East Asian states, law of the sea, maritime security, and international relations.
I received my BA from Shanghai International Studies University (China) and my MA from Potsdam University (Germany) in 2004. I completed the program on “Ocean Governance: Policy, Law and Management,” jointly conducted by IOI (International Ocean Institute) and Dalhousie University of Canada in 2005. I then obtained a Rhodes Academy diploma on “Ocean Policy and Law of the Sea” in 2006. In the same year, I also served as intern at the Legal Office of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Hamburg, Germany). In 2007, I was invited to be a guest researcher for two months at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (Heidelberg, Germany). nong@ualberta.ca
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Thomas Kearns
Fields of Study: International Relations
Hello, my name is Thom Kearns and I am an incoming Master's student focusing on International Relations. My area of interest lies in the cross-section of theory and practice in international relations. I am particularly interested in concepts of how imperialism and hegemony of ideas permeate approaches and policy in the international sphere. I am also very interested in how politics of identity and belonging are enmeshed in political practice as well. I'm very excited to be working in the department and if anyone is interested in chatting please feel to email me, tkearns@ualberta.ca.
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Ryan Keyes
Fields of Study: International Relations
I completed my Bachelor's degree in 2004 from St. Thomas University in my hometown of Fredericton, New Brunswick. During the next few years of work I maintained sight of a return to academic life, and have now completed the coursework for the Master's program. The research for my thesis examines the international political economy of environmental damage. From a Gramscian perspective I ask how and why this environmental destruction, now on the verge of disastrous global climate change, has been able to continue without significant and effective reform, and offer suggestions about how and why this change can and must be realized. This paper will also explore Canada-US relations while touching on the intended investigations of future work such as the applicability of this theoretical approach to other issue areas in IR and IPE, notably China's development, the pharmaceutical industry, and the future of 'democracy.'
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Jurgita Kornijenko
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: International Relations and Comparative Politics
I entered the Ph.D. program in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta in the fall of 2005. I specialize in International Relations and Comparative Politics. My research interests include issues surrounding trafficking of children and women; migrant workers; immigration; national, regional and international legislation as well as policy initiatives on trafficking and immigration; statelessness, citizenship, identity issues, critical approaches to the discourse of rights, etc. I graduated from Klaipeda University (Lithuania) with a BA in Political Science in 2001, and received my first MA in International Studies from Uppsala University (Sweden) in 2002, followed by my second MA in the Baltic Sea Region, which I completed at Södertörn University College (Sweden) in 2004. Besides my strong interest in research, I’m also drawn to policy oriented organizations and have worked for Alberta Child and Youth Data Laboratory in Edmonton, Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security, Children’s Unit at the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Stockholm, and Save the Children US in Washington, D.C.
Born in Lithuania, I speak, in addition to my mother tongue (Lithuanian) and English, Russian and Swedish, and have the basics of Italian, Latin, French, and German. My personal interests include traveling, clay sculpting, running, and biking among other things. Feel free to email me at: jurgita@ualberta.ca.
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Michael Kulicki
Program: Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Political Theory and Canadian Politics
My subfields are political theory and Canadian politics. Some of my current research interests are Isaiah Berlin’s value pluralism, various topics in Aristotle’s political and ethical thought, and Hannah Arendt’s distinction between “thinking” and “judgment.” My presently untitled thesis concerns the former, while I also hope to complete a couple of essays on my other research interests before finishing my Ph.D. program. Beyond Ph.D. studies, my other interests include sports, movies, music, and dining and drinking with friends and family.
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Katrina Kyselytzia
Program: MA
Fields of Study: International Relations
I am a Political Science Masters student studying the role non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play in the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Before beginning my Masters, I completed an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. I have since decided to look at health from a social and political perspective – a decision I couldn’t be happier with. I have spent time living, working and volunteering in Uganda and Tanzania which has inspired and shaped much of my research. I am particularly interested in how gender shapes the HIV/AIDS industry in East Africa. I am also interested in feminist IR theory. I am thrilled to be a part of the Political Science Department at the University of Alberta. Feel free to contact me at katrinak@ualberta.ca!
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Justin Leifso
Program: MA
Field of Study: Canadian Politics
Having spent my life in Saskatchewan, with a year-long interlude in South Korea, it was my pleasure this year to join the department of Political Science as a first year MA student in the thesis-based program. I completed my BA (Honours) at the University of Regina, where I took part in the seven-month Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program. Now that I'm at the University of Alberta, I'm looking forward to focusing on the political economy of Canadian regionalism while maintaining a strict devotion to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
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