Political Studies

News Stories

A split screen photo of Dr. Morgan Mowatt on the left and Dr. Michael MacKenzie on the right. Both are smiling at the camera in portrait-style shots with greenery in the background.

Political scientists coming to VIU for provincial conference

April 29, 2024

What: BC Political Studies Association Conference When: Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 Where: VIU Nanaimo campus Nanaimo, BC: An annual conference focusing on trust and leadership is coming to Vancouver Island University (VIU) this week. The BC Political Studies Association (BCPSA) Conference will take place at the Nanaimo campus on May 2 and 3. Hosted by VIU’s Political Studies department,... Read more


Michael Mackenzie: Bad leaders, bad followers event postcard

VIU’s Engaged Citizens Speaker Series puts the spotlight on bad leaders and followers

April 11, 2024

Bad Leaders, Bad Followers: Threats to democracy that we don’t talk about enough – an edition of the Engaged Citizens Speaker Series When: Monday, April 15, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Where: VIU’s Malaspina Theatre (Building 310) or online via Zoom webinar. See Nanaimo campus map. Nanaimo, BC: There have been countless books written about leadership, but most focus on good leadership and what makes for a... Read more


Michael MacKenzie sits on a bench in front of a stone building

Expert in democracy and public trust joins Vancouver Island University

April 12, 2023

Dr. Michael MacKenzie, VIU’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, joins unique network across Canada. A new position at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will focus on educating future politicians and civil servants. Dr. Michael K. MacKenzie is VIU’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership. The Jarislowsky Foundation invited Acadia University,... Read more


Deborah Saucier and Stephen Jarislowsky signing documents seated at a table

Vancouver Island University receives $2 million to educate future public service leaders

June 8, 2022

VIU has been selected to join a prestigious new network to establish a Chair in Trust and Political Leadership. Vancouver Island University (VIU) is one of five Canadian universities selected to form a unique network focused on educating future politicians and civil servants. The Jarislowsky Foundation has chosen Acadia University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (in collaboration with l’... Read more


VIU Political Studies Professor Mark Williams

5 Questions with Mark Williams

January 31, 2022

The VIU Political Studies Professor has penned a new book.  Three years ago, VIU Political Studies Professor and Department Chair Dr. Mark Williams began working on concepts and themes for what would ultimately become his new, recently published book. Williams, the author of The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats, says the process involved developing a vision for the... Read more


Alumni of the Month: Ebrahim Lababidi

July 12, 2018

After graduating from VIU in 2016 with a double major in History and Political Studies, Ebrahim Lababidi rushed home to Beirut, Lebanon, for a quick visit with family before starting his master’s degree at the University of Toronto’s (U of T’s) Munk School of Global Affairs. While in that program he had some incredible experiences, including an internship with UNICEF Canada. Ebrahim was happy to... Read more