PhD in Political Studies - Canadian Politics in Kingston Canada | Queen's University

The Department of Political Studies at Queen's University has built a distinguished reputation for its graduate programs. Our intimate size allows for personalized attention, while our accomplished and diverse faculty deliver comprehensive training that prepares graduates for diverse career paths. We're especially recognized for expertise in studying ethnically diverse societies. The M.A. program sharpens analytical abilities, while the Ph.D. prepares students for academic careers or leadership positions in political studies fields. Most students secure teaching assistant roles, and we actively support conference participation through travel funding. Research assistant opportunities with faculty are common, and we facilitate fieldwork along with networking in both Canadian and international academic and policy circles.

Canadian politics has undergone significant changes recently, facing challenges from climate policy to globalization, evolving party dynamics, federalism developments, shifting international roles, and debates over civil rights expansion. These changes have reshaped the political environment, introducing pressing new questions for scholars and practitioners. Canadian political studies remain a departmental priority, reflected in our faculty's ongoing research and teaching. We cover traditional areas like government institutions, constitutional matters, and electoral politics while excelling in specialized fields such as Charter of Rights analysis, voting behavior studies, welfare state politics, gender politics, and political communication. Our graduate students additionally benefit from collaborations with the School of Policy Studies and the Departments of Women's Studies and Philosophy.