Leicher, Travis

Travis Leicher

Travis Leicher

Doctoral Student

MA (University of Toronto); BA (Wilfred Laurier University)

Political Studies

Doctoral Student

t.leicher@queensu.ca

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, C309

Supervisor: Dr. Colin Farrelly

Research Interests

Democratic Theory; Freedom of Speech; Liberalism; Egalitarianism; Representation

Biography

Travis is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Studies. Before coming to Queen's, he studied history, politics, and philosophy at Wilfrid Laurier University, followed by political theory at University of Toronto. In his theorizing about democracy, Travis is interested in the political effects of the tension between freedom and equality.

Teaching Experience

  • POLS 350 - Political Theory: History (Winter 2026, Winter 2025)
  • POLS 250 - Political Theory: Foundations (Fall 2025, Fall 2024)
  • POLS 499 - The Politics of Free Expression in Canada and the World (Summer 2025)
  • POLS 115 - Evidence and Argument in the Study of Politics (University of Toronto, Winter 2023)
  • POL 237 - Pathways to Modern Politics (Wilfrid Laurier University, 2021-2022)

Jahan, Md Rakib

headshot of Md Rakib Jahan

Md Rakib Jahan

Doctoral Student

BA, World Religions and Culture (University of Dhaka); MA, Religious Studies (Queen鈥檚 University)

Political Studies

Doctoral Student

23wpf@queensu.ca

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, C313

Supervisor: Dr. St茅鈥媐anie von Hlatky

Research Interests

My research interests in international relations center on the multidimensional dynamics of NATO policies in the Middle East. I am interested in NATO鈥檚 strategic decisions, military interventions, actions of coalition against ISIS and the impact of NATO's policies on local governance and civilian populations.

Biography

Rakib Jahan is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Studies at Queen鈥檚 University where he will specialize in International Relations. Rakib is currently completing his MA in Religious Studies at Queen鈥檚.

Awards

  • Queen鈥檚 Graduate Award, (2023-2024)
  • International Tuition Award, (Queen鈥檚 University, 2023-2024)
  • The Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 International Award, (The Duke of Edinburgh鈥檚 Award Foundation Bangladesh, 2022)
  • President鈥檚 Scout Award, (Bangladesh Scouts, 2012)

Goodell Ugalde, Elliot

Elliot Goodell Ugalde

Elliot Goodell Ugalde

Doctoral Student

He/Him

BAH, Political Science (University of Victoria); MA, Political Science (McMaster University)

Political Studies

Doctoral Student

elliot.goodellugalde@queensu.ca

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, C303

Supervisor: Dr. Wayne Cox

Biography

Elliot Goodell Ugalde is a scholar and researcher specialising in international relations and political economy, with a focus on healthcare policy, Indigenous resurgence scholarship, and crisis theory economics. He has a wealth of experience working with both governmental and non-governmental bodies across Canada. Elliot has published several peer-reviewed articles and has presented his research at numerous academic conferences. Committed to community service, he also holds certifications in emergency management, Indigenous studies, and the economic impacts on developing countries. In his free time, Elliot enjoys painting, playing the drums, and writing political columns for various newspapers and publications.

Fawcett Smith, Kimberly

Photograph of Kimberly Fawcett Smith

Kimberly Fawcett Smith

Doctoral Student

She/Her

BA (Carleton University); M. Architecture (University of Manitoba); MA, International Affairs (King's College London)

Political Studies

Doctoral Student

k.fawcettsmith@queensu.ca

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, B304

Supervisors: Dr. Wayne Cox and Dr. David Haglund

Research Interests

International Security; Great Power Politics; Canadian Defence and Foreign Policy; China/Russia Relations; Arctic Region; Diplomacy

Biography

Kimberly is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Studies at 成人大片 specializing in International Relations and Comparative Politics. She graduated with merit from King's College London, UK with an MA in International Affairs (Espionage and Surveillance). Kimberly is focusing her research on the emerging power conflict in the Arctic.

Awards

  • R. Samuel McLaughlin Fellowship (2024)
  • Queen's Graduate Award (2024)
  • Faculty of Arts and Science Dean's Award for Social Justice (2024)

Eden, Zachary

Zachary Eden

Zachary Eden

Doctoral Student

He/Him

BAH, Political Science (Laurentian University); MA, Political Studies (成人大片 University)

Political Studies

Doctoral Student

zachary.eden@queensu.ca

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, B308

Supervisors: Dr. David Haglund and Dr. Joel Sokolsky

Research Interests

Zachary鈥檚 current research interests include Canada-U.S. relations, power transition theory, and defence and security studies.

Biography

Zachary is in his third year of his PhD in the Department of Political Studies. He completed his honours B.A. in Political Science and Religious Studies at Laurentian University (2019) and his M.A. in Political Studies at Queen鈥檚 University (2020). Zachary鈥檚 primary field of study is international relations, and his secondary field is comparative politics.

Awards

  • 鈥嬧嬧嬧婳ntario Graduate Scholarship (2026)
  • Queen鈥檚 Graduate Award (2025)
  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2025)
  • Queen鈥檚 Graduate Award (2024)
  • R. Samuel McLaughlin Fellowship (2024)
  • Universit盲t der Bundeswehr M眉nchen Scholarship (2020)
  • Queen鈥檚 Graduate Award (2019-2020)
  • Huntington Bursary (2018)
  • Thorneloe Bursary (2018)

Teaching Experience

  • POLS 241 鈥 Comparative Politics (Winter 2026)
  • POLS 284 鈥 Introduction to Political Research (Fall 2025)
  • POLS 262 鈥 Introduction to the International Political Economy (Winter 2025)
  • POLS 284/384 鈥 Introduction to Political Research (Fall 2024)
  • POLS 261 鈥 International Politics (Fall 2019)
  • SOCI 1015 鈥 Understanding Society (Laurentian University, 2018-2019)

Afzaal, Maham

Maham Afzaal

Maham Afzaal

Doctoral Student

She/Her/Hers

MPP; HBA

Political Studies

Doctoral Student

18ma15@queensu.ca

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, C311

Supervisor: Dr. Yolande Bouka

Research Interests

Critical security; Childhood; Historical injustice; Carceral violence; Surveillance capitalism; Education; Race, and Gender.

Biography

Maham Afzaal is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Studies at Queen鈥檚 University studying International Relations. She received an MPP in Digital Society and an Hons. B.A. in Economics (Specialist) with a minor in Political Science from McMaster University.

Maham is currently examining the evolution of surveillance and policing practices in Toronto secondary schools with a focus on the implications of such practices for racialized students.

Awards

  • Outstanding Student Performance Award in Digital Governance (McMaster University, 2024)
  • Outstanding Student Performance Award in Product Management (McMaster University, 2024)
  • Outstanding Student Performance Award in Architectures of Digital Ecosystems (McMaster University, 2023)
  • Graduate Entrance Scholarship (McMaster University, 2023)
  • International Student Career Trek Honorarium (McMaster University, 2022)
  • Undergraduate Student Research Award (McMaster University, 2022)
  • Undergraduate Student Research Award (McMaster University, 2021)

Teaching Experience

  • POLS 285 - Introduction to Statistics (Winter 2026)
  • POLS 284 - Intro to Political Research (Fall 2025)
  • POLS 112 - Enduring Political Debates (Winter 2025)
  • POLS 284/384 - Intro to Political Research (Fall 2024)
  • POLSCI 1AA3 - Government, Politics, and Power (McMaster University, Fall 2023)

2024 Political Studies Graduate Students Association (PSGSA) Graduate Conference

Date

Wednesday June 26, 2024
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location

The Department of Political Studies Graduate Students Association (PSGSA) present:

The 2024 PSGSA Graduate Conference

"Navigating New Realities in a Changing Global Landscape"

Wednesday, June 26th | 9:00AM 鈥 4:00PM
Mackintosh-Corry Hall (68 University Avenue, Kingston) Room B201 OR via Zoom
*Lunch provided

This event is co-sponsored by the Department of Political Studies.  

The turn of the century brought on a wave of new and complex problems that the international community must face. From advancements in technology that have moulded and reshaped domestic political spheres; to leaps in communication that have enabled the rise of powerful non-state actors; to the digitalization of the finance world and the introduction of crypto currencies, we have seen change across virtually every channel of interaction.

Being able to understand these changes and conduct meaningful research to uncover their impacts are essential to a peaceful and cooperative future.

鈥淣ew Realities鈥 can be considered through many lenses. Understanding the effect evolving social change can have on national or international organizations is bound to change the way the organization operates. The international implications of the ongoing War in Ukraine, or the Israel-Hamas War, have the power to reshape and restructure the security situations in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. The rise in domestic right-wing support in many regions of the world, or the risks following the possible re-election of Donald Trump, could have the power to challenge many government鈥檚 operational and fiscal 鈥渟tatus-quos鈥. And an increase in uprisings and coups, more specifically in the West African region, have regressed democracy to a point that concerns regional security and opens the door to global humanitarian crises.

These are all situations and dimensions of the global landscape that are undergoing change, and therefore creating a new reality the international community must confront.

The conference will be in a hybrid format. Participants can either join in-person at Queen鈥檚 University or online via Zoom.

Department of Political Studies Class of 2024 Spring Convocation Reception

Date

Friday June 21, 2024
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location

Department of Political Studies Class of 2024 Spring Convocation Reception!

All POLS Spring 2024 graduates and their guests are invited to attend this luncheon reception on Friday, June 21st from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.  Cynthia MacIntosh, Undergraduate Assistant, will send an email, including a reception invitation and RSVP information, to the finalized list of Spring 2024 POLS graduands.  Please RSVP to this invitation using the registration form.    

Friday, June 21st | 12:00 鈥 3:00PM

Holiday Inn Kingston - Waterfront | Bellevue Ballroom 

2 Princess Street, Kingston 

A buffet lunch will be served

Class of 2024 graphic