PoliSci

In this episode of the PoliSci Podcast, host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Juliette Weil, a master’s student in political science at Concordia University, whose research explores the intersection of climate politics and international political economy. Juliette discusses her thesis on how climate disasters shape environmental provisions in preferential trade agreements, and what this reveals about...

In this episode of the PoliSci Podcast , part of the Office Hours faculty focus series, hosts Navid Mahlooji and Nick Von Rosk sit down with Graham Dodds , professor of political science at Concordia University . The conversation moves from Dr. Dodds’ unconventional academic path to a sharp, accessible critique of executive power in the United States, touching on the unitary executive theory, pres...

In this second, host Navid Mahlooji welcomes back Danforth Oghigian, a globe-trotting Master of Public Policy and Public Administration (MPPPA) student at Concordia University, whose academic and personal journey spans Japan, Iceland, Norway, Armenia, and Canada. Dan reflects on his experience studying Polar Law in Iceland and Norway, where he was immersed in Arctic governance, environmental law,...

In this first part of Polisci , host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Danforth Oghigian , a Master of Public Policy and Public Administration (MPPPA) student at Concordia University , whose academic and personal journey spans continents—from growing up in Japan to studying polar law in Iceland . Dan shares how his experiences living in Tokyo shaped his worldview and cultural values, his evolving view...

n this episode of Polisci Perspectives , host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Leandrew Goseco , a master's student in political science at Concordia University , whose research focuses on immigrant political behavior, integration, and belonging in Canada —a theme deeply rooted in his own journey as a Filipino migrant . Leandrew discusses his work with the Migration Research Team at Concordia, where...

In this episode of Polisci. host Navid Mahlooji speaks with Celia Bensiali , a PhD student in political science at Concordia University , whose research explores urban governance, migration policies, and inclusive city initiatives . Celia examines how cities like Montreal, Barcelona, and Copenhagen are leading the way in municipal ID card programs to promote social inclusion for migrants and margi...

In this second part of Polisci , host Navid Mahlooji continues the conversation with Lauren Thurber, a former educator turned public policy analyst at Health Canada. Lauren dives into her MPA research on cosmetic regulations using Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), explaining how this intersectional policy framework is applied in the Canadian federal government. She also discusses balancing gradua...

In this first part of Polisci , host Navid Mahlooji speaks with Lauren Thurber, a former educator who transitioned into public policy after a decade in teaching. Now a policy analyst at Health Canada, Lauren shares how the COVID-19 pandemic, personal experiences, and a passion for equity-driven policymaking led her to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration (MPA) at Concordia...

In this episode of Polisci Podcast , host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Dr. Dónal Gill , assistant professor of political science, to discuss his academic journey, political thought, and literary influences . From Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels to Joyce’s Ulysses , Gill explores how literature reflects and critiques political ideas. The conversation also touches on Irish and Quebec nationalism , Gill’...

In this episode of Polisci, host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Julien Duffy , a political science researcher exploring immigrant political participation and the role of belonging in shaping civic engagement. Julien, a McGill graduate now pursuing his master’s at Concordia, dives into why immigrants tend to participate less in politics than native-born citizens and how conversations between differe...

Today, we’re joined by  Stephen Gnanasihamany and Jason Langford , members of  Crew , the student-worker-led union representing Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Research Assistants (RAs) at Concordia University. With ongoing bargaining between Crew and the university, this episode unpacks the major issues at stake— wages, job security, and working conditions —and why the upcoming  Special General Ass...

In this episode of Polisci Perspectives , host Navid Mahlooji welcomes Jocelyne Brad, a globally minded political science scholar whose research explores how religiosity shapes immigration policies and public discourse. With an academic journey spanning the U.S., France, and Canada, Jocelyne brings a unique perspective on how different societies navigate the intersection of faith and migration. Fr...

In this episode of Polisci, host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Logan Bates, a political science scholar whose research examines the evolution of conservative rhetoric in opposition to LGBTQ2S+ rights in the U.S. From analyzing emotional discourses in Florida’s Don’t Say Gay bill to uncovering how fear, security, and disgust are transformed into rights-based arguments, Logan’s work highlights a cri...

In this episode of Polisci, host Navid Mahlooji speaks with Rubens Lima Moraes, a scholar, educator, and public service professional with a remarkable journey from Brazil to Canada. Rubens shares his experiences as an international student navigating cultural shifts, the challenges of pursuing a PhD, and his decision to transition from academia to government work. From teaching at Concordia and Da...

In this second part of Polisci, host Navid Mahlooji continues the conversation with Francesco MacAllister-CarusoFrancesco MacAllister-Caruso, a PhD candidate researching the political experiences of transgender, Two-Spirit, and non-binary people in Quebec. Francesco discusses the limitations of the LGBTQ+ umbrella term, focusing on the distinct challenges faced by gender minorities regarding citiz...

In this first part of Polisci , host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Francesco MacAllister-Caruso, a trailblazing PhD candidate at Concordia University whose research sheds light on the political representation of Two-Spirit, trans, and nonbinary (2S/TNB) individuals in Canada. Francesco shares insights from his journey as a scholar and advocate, reflecting on the distinctions between sexual and gen...

In this episode of Polisci , host Navid Mahlooji welcomes Gaëlle Poirier-Morin, a political science graduate student at Concordia University. Gaëlle shares her inspiring journey from leading student activism at UQAM to researching grassroots citizen engagement in her master’s thesis. Listen as Gaëlle discusses the impact of growing up in Montréal, the surprising lessons from saving green spaces wi...

In the second episode of Polisci Perspectives , host Navid Mahlooji welcomes Kristina Uleckas-Lavigne, a Concordia University political science graduate student with a unique and multifaceted academic path. Kristina shares how her background in Cinema Communications, Journalism, and life during COVID led her to a passion for political science. With experiences ranging from supervising elections fo...

In the debut episode of Polisci , host Navid Mahlooji sits down with Nick Von Rosk, a passionate political science graduate student from Concordia University. Nick shares his journey from Long Island, New York, to Montreal, Canada, exploring the pivotal events that shaped his academic path, from the rise of populism to democratic backsliding under leaders like Trump and Bolsonaro. Credits: Host: N...