Political Science - Western University
LightNews LightNews
banner
westernupolisci.bsky.social
Political Science - Western University
@westernupolisci.bsky.social
57 followers 68 following 15 posts
We strive to contribute to #Western's long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching and research, in the areas of democratic engagement, global justice, urban politics, local governance, and research methods.

politicalscience.uwo.ca
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Western Political Science professors Christopher Alcantara, Laura Stephenson and grad student Craig Mutter explain why boosting youth voter turnout means first understanding why many don’t vote. A thoughtful read on engaging young Canadians: theconversation.com/encouraging-...
Encouraging young people to vote requires understanding why they don’t
It’s not that youth don’t care enough to vote. It’s that they are turning away from conventional, formal participation in favour of alternative ways of sharing and expressing their views.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Youth civic engagement matters. A new Conversation piece — republished by Yahoo News — highlights research from Laura Stephenson, Chris Alcantara and Craig Mutter on how to better encourage young people to participate in politics. Read more: ca.news.yahoo.com/encouraging-...
ca.news.yahoo.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
TBT to Fall Preview Day 2025. More than 18K visitors explored Western, and the Faculty of Social Science was full of future Mustangs meeting our incredible team. Thank you to all staff, faculty and volunteers.
#ThrowbackThursday #FallPreviewDay @westernuhistory.bsky.social @westernuir.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
The Morning Brew on CHQR Calgary featured Political Science PhD candidate Craig Mutter, who shared insights from his research on youth civic engagement and political participation. Listen to the interview: iqmediacorp.com/ExternalIfra...
November 28, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Global National covered former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral, noting key political figures — including Trump and Vance — were absent. Political science professor Matt Lebo weighed in on the significance of the moment. Watch the full clip: globalnews.ca/video/115364...
Dick Cheney funeral: Trump, Vance notably absent | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Dick Cheney funeral: Trump, Vance notably absent Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
globalnews.ca
November 25, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political science chair Laura Stephenson co-authored an op-ed in Policy Options exploring how party leaders can make or break a party’s electoral success — arguing that leader swaps can dramatically shift a party’s fortunes. Read more: policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/11/lead...
Can swapping leaders really change election outcomes?
Leadership changes can redefine a party’s brand. Survey data show how leaders like Mark Carney reshaped voter perceptions.
policyoptions.irpp.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
westernupolisci.bsky.social
📢 Apply now! @westernu.ca Political Science offering MA & PhD Fellowship w/ Drs. Alcantara & Stephenson’s @sshrc-crsh.canada.ca project on “The Determinants of Public Support for Indigenous Reconciliation Policies”🪶 Deadline: Feb 1, 2026
#WesternU #Reconciliation #Research #ldnont #Grads #Indigenous
November 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
westernupolisci.bsky.social
🏅We are proud to announce that William Poirier has been awarded the Dr. Harold D. Clarke Graduate Quantitative Research Methodology Fellowship for his demonstrated ability & interest in Quantitative Research Methodology. Congratulations on a well-deserved award!
#westernu #quant #research #methods
November 10, 2025 at 6:21 PM
westernupolisci.bsky.social
Members from the @westernu.ca Political Science department attended the 11th Annual Toronto Political Behaviour Workshop (Nov. 7-8) at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy (UofT). #cdnpoli #politicalbehaviour #workshop #grads #uoft #politicaleconomy #tpbw #western
📸credit: Inaara Savani
Photo: L to R (Back) – Grad Students Ryan Philips, Alvaro Pereira Filho, Katie McCoy, Noah Vanderhoeven, Colton Stevenson, Professor Mathieu Turgeon, (Front) Inaara Savani, Jamie Chow
November 10, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
cpsa-acsp.bsky.social
👩🏽‍💻🧑🏽‍💻 @jplewis.bsky.social & team can't wait to see yr proposal pop up ⏰Submit before the day is over!
➡️ shorturl.at/AgUow
#CPSA_ACSP26
@queenspols.bsky.social @westernupolisci.bsky.social
@jlisayoung.bsky.social @mcgillpolisci.bsky.social
@devoncantwell.bsky.social @matthewlebo.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 PM
westernupolisci.bsky.social
👀 Think young Canadians aren’t political? Think again. From social movements to digital activism & community impact, research shows they’re leading change in unexpected ways ⬇️Watch now or ➡️ read more: news.westernu.ca
#WesternU #WesternResearch #YouthPolitics #CanadianActivism #tiktokdebut #polisci
Young Canadians are politically engaged — just not where you expect. Read the full story at news.westernu.ca #WesternU #WesternResearch
TikTok video by Western University
www.tiktok.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories
From a Co-op with the Ontario Liberal Party to founding WULA & leading the Leadership and Democracy Lab, Devon Jarovi is shaping his future in politics.
🔗https://ssc.uwo.ca/meetourstars/celebrating_student_stories_devon_jarovi.html
#WesternU
October 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
apsa.bsky.social
Tomorrow at noon! Join APSA’s Careers Diversity Committee for Advising and Mentoring Political Science PhDs for Careers Beyond the Academy, a virtual discussion on challenges #polisci #faculty & #graduateadvisors face when advising doctoral students for careers beyond the academy. buff.ly/cnx2otv
Advising and Mentoring Political Science PhDs for Careers Beyond the Academy: APSA Careers Diversity Committee Virtual Workshop -
An APSA Careers Diversity Committee Virtual Workshop Details: Advising and Mentoring Political Science PhDs for Careers Beyond the Academy Tuesday, October 28, 2025 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Eastern…
buff.ly
October 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
A Canadian Press story on the U.S. government shutdown after President Trump & Congress failed to reach a deal features insight from Political Science professor Matthew Lebo on how it could impact Canada. Read more here: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/tru...
Trump says a U.S. government shutdown is 'likely' — here's what could happen
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a federal government shutdown is "likely," with Congress deadlocked ahead of a midnight deadline to pass legislation to keep it running.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 1, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
📢 Advance voting is reshaping the way federal election campaigns are run in Canada. The Hill Times highlights insights from Political Science professor & chair Laura Stephenson on what this trend means for parties & voters. Read more here: www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
Advance voting in Canada continues to rise—and it's changing campaigning
With more and more Canadians locking in their votes early, campaign rollouts have had to adjust, or ‘miss the window,’ says former Liberal strategist Brett Thalmann.
www.hilltimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political Science professor Matt Lebo joined 15 CBC afternoon radio programs, including The Homestretch in Calgary, to unpack the implications and impacts of a potential U.S. government shutdown. Listen to his insights here: iqmediacorp.com/ExternalIfra...
Media Player
iqmediacorp.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political Science professor Matt Lebo shared insights with the Toronto Star on how the U.S. government shutdown could impact borders and travel for Canadians. Read the full article here: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Is the border closed? What Canadians need to know about the U.S. government shutdown
The United States government shut down early Wednesday after Republicans and Democrats came to a deadlock over healthcare policies.
www.thestar.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political Science professor Joseph Lyons, Director of Western’s Local Government Program, shared his expert insight with The National (U.A.E.) on the growing adoption of the four-day work week across the country’s public and private sectors. 👇Read here: www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/202...
UAE private sector more convinced by flexible hours than four-day week | The National
Companies say productivity improves but there are drawbacks
www.thenationalnews.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political Science professor Martin Horak, chair of a task force reviewing how municipal politicians should be compensated, spoke with CTV London about why the group concluded city councillors should treat their roles as full-time positions.
👉 Read more: www.ctvnews.ca/london/artic...
Task Force Chair: Future city councillors should ‘hit pause’ on careers and focus on city hall full-time
On Friday, London’s Council Resourcing Review Task Force wrapped up months of work by unanimously agreeing to 16 recommendations about how much money municipal politicians should be paid and the resou...
www.ctvnews.ca
October 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Yahoo News republished a Conversation piece by Political Science PhD candidate Noah Eliot Vanderhoeven, exploring how the Toronto Blue Jays are showing that America’s pastime can also be a stage for Canadian nationalism. ⚾🇨🇦
Read more 👇 ca.news.yahoo.com/toronto-blue...
Toronto Blue Jays: Amid Canada-U.S. tensions, ‘Canada’s team’ is excelling at America’s pastime
The Blue Jays’ post-season run as Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada gives the team perhaps its best opportunity ever to fulfil its role as Canada’s team.
ca.news.yahoo.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political Science professor Joseph Lyons, Director of Western’s Local Government Program, shared his insights with the Hamilton Spectator on the integrity commissioner process — discussed in light of a recent investigation in Tillsonburg. Read more: www.thespec.com/news/canada/...
A deep dive into the integrity commissioner process
With the reports from two separate complaints to the Town of Tillsonburg’s integrity commissioner being released at the Sept. 22 meeting, it was the first time this process occurred in
www.thespec.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political Science PhD candidate Noah Eliot Vanderhoeven joined six CBC Radio morning shows, including CBC London Morning, to unpack the Blue Jays’ playoff run amid tense U.S.-Canada relations — exploring what the team’s success means beyond the field. ⚾🇨🇦
iqmediacorp.com/ExternalIfra...
Media Player
iqmediacorp.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Where are the youth in Canadian politics? 🇨🇦A new study led by Western political science professors Laura Stephenson and Christopher Alcantara, commissioned by the Max Bell Foundation, reveals how young people are engaging with politics in meaningful ways. news.westernu.ca/2025/10/yout...
Western study probes civic engagement: Where are the youth? - Western News
Western researchers found polarization and a percieved lack of care from governments is contributing to a lack of youth civic engagement.
news.westernu.ca
October 17, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories
From BMOS to Political Science, Emily Valitutti found her passion for advocacy & leadership. Published in The Social Contract & leading UWO Dance Force, she’s making her mark.
ssc.uwo.ca/meetourstars...
October 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Political Science - Western University
westernusocsci.bsky.social
Political science PhD candidate Noah Vanderhoeven joined Sarah Crosbie on QR 770 in Calgary to discuss the strong overlap between politics and sports, especially with Game 7 of the Blue Jays series coinciding with Calgary’s 2025 municipal election. ⚾🗳️ iqmediacorp.com/ExternalIfra...
Media Player
iqmediacorp.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM