Current Students

Gillian Brown

Gillian (she/her) is currently completing her MA in Politics at Acadia University as part of the university’s inaugural Jarislowsky cohort, supervised by Dr. Alex Marland and supported by a Jarislowsky studentship in political leadership and media studies in Canada. Her research falls within the subdiscipline of Canadian politics, with particular interests in political communication, the relationship between government and the news media, the Canadian media landscape, and its implications for democracy. Gillian’s MA thesis examines the evolution of the relationship between provincial press gallery reporters and political leaders across Canada’s Atlantic region. This includes a study of the development and implementation of provincial media management strategies and communications techniques before and after the arrival of COVID-19.

Gillian graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) in Political Studies, with a minor in English. Prior to beginning her degree at Acadia, she worked in news for several years in reporting and editorial roles on both campus and city levels in Winnipeg, including two terms as editor-in-chief of the U of M student newspaper, the Manitoban. She previously did research on misinformation and racism in Australian and Canadian news and social media platforms at Mamawipawin, the U of M Centre for Indigenous Governance and Community Based Research. In addition to her studies, Gillian currently works a teaching assistant and research assistant.

 


Mae Graham

Mae (she/they) is currently pursuing an MA in Politics at Acadia University as part of the university's inaugural Jarislowsky cohort, under the supervision of Dr. Alex Marland.

Mae graduated with honors in Political Science, with a minor in History, from Saint Mary’s University. Their honors thesis examined female conservative leadership in Canada, and now, for their master's research, Mae is exploring Canadian political leadership through a fresh lens.

Their current research focuses on the use of social media as a marketing tool by political leaders and the implications of selective political uses of social media for democracy. In addition to their studies, Mae serves as a teaching assistant and research assistant and enjoys writing poetry. They have a deep passion for teaching, writing, and artistry.

 

Mattigan MacLean

Mattigan is an MA student of Political Science as a part of the inaugural Jarislowsky cohort, supervised by Dr. Alex Marland. Her research interests include the trajectory and trends pertaining to political careers in Canada. Currently she is studying the increasing number of former political staffers seeking elected office in Canada at the federal level.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Arts General Degree comprising three minors in history, sociology and political science from Mount Allison University. During her time there she also assisted with research concerning indigenous fishing rights in Canada and disability politics in Canada.

She currently works as a member of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Gulf Regional Communications Team, as well as being a research and teaching assistant for Dr. Alex Marland.

Her passion for political science began in middle school with kitchen table talks with her dad. She believes strongly in the benefit of studying and understanding the dynamic landscape of our own political system and is passionate about sharing those findings to inspire others to ask important questions and seek answers.

Past Students (Selected)

Chelsea Saulnier (2021)

Saulnier completed the Political Science Master Program at Acadia University, concentrating in Constitutional law, Indigenous rights and social justice.

"I completed my undergraduate degree here at Acadia in 2016 and when I decided to go back to school I knew that Acadia was the only spot for me. The sense of community that the faculty and students provide during and after you have completed your studies is one of a kind. The students and faculty genuinely care and believe in your success. While completing my undergraduate I worked for the Native Council of Nova Scotia as team leader and for the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council as assistant program coordinator. In my first year as a Master student I worked for Acadia as a Teaching Assistant and later as a Research Assistant, and currently I am working part-time for Halifax Regional Municipality as an Legislative Support Assistant. Earlier this week I was informed of my appointment to the assistance appeals board for the department of Community Services, NS."

“When thinking about your future, do not only think about what you want to do, but think about WHO you want to be” –Dr. Whitehall 2016.

Stephanie Redden (2009)

"I had an amazing experience completing my Masters in the Politics Department at Acadia University. The department's small size means that you are able to work closely with the Faculty (who are all very passionate about their work), and build lasting connections with your peers. The small class sizes also mean that you are able (and very much encouraged) to actively participate in all of your classes. Through the seminars that I attended while completing my degree--in both the Politics and Sociology departments--I gained invaluable public speaking experience, time management skills, and solid research capabilities. I also further developed and refined my critical analysis skills. As a result, I was able to enter my PhD program well-equipped and prepared to succeed. In short, I cannot say enough positive things about the program and the department. While I was only there for a year, the experience has had a profound and formative influence on me as a social scientist. I am a better researcher as a result of my time at Acadia."