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What’s the plan for democratic reform?

Matthew Mingus
Matthew Mingus
On September 20, the University of Ottawa and the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States announced the establishment of a Fulbright Visiting Chair at the University. Matthew Mingus, an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University, is the first chair holder.

The chair will focus on research of contemporary public policy, governance and public administration. Mingus will conduct research surrounding Paul Martin’s Action Plan for Democratic Reform. More specifically, his research will look to answer what parts of the action plan have been implemented so far, and if the plan is implemented, will that make the Canadian and American political systems more or less similar.   

 

“One of the reasons that it fascinates me is that the US and Canada are much interconnected,” says Mingus. “People on both sides of the border don’t have really any sense at how tightly woven they are.”

To complete his field research this fall, Mingus’ ambitious interview schedule includes some 60 to 100 ministers, backbenchers, opposition MPs and provincial politicians.

Mingus expects that his two main research questions will eventually lead to two separate papers. In addition, they will form the groundwork for future research in similar areas, as well as allow him to write a book on the subject. While in Canada, Mingus will also be a guest lecturer at uOttawa and in Saskatchewan.

The Fulbright Visiting Chair is a one-year position.