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Boyoon Lee Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

Comparative politics, particularly focusing on public opinion and the political economy of migration.

Biography

My scholarship is situated in comparative politics, particularly focusing on public opinion and the political economy of migration. Specifically, I study the determinants of migration-related preferences and attitudes as well as how socio-economic inequality is intertwined with migration decisions and behaviors, with a regional focus on Asia and the Americas. Methodologically, my research employs various types of experiments and causal inference methods for observational data.

I am currently working on four major projects on the politics of immigration in East Asia and Latin America, which focus on (1) pathways through which political elites influence attitudes towards immigrants (e.g., educational content, political speech, historical narratives, and institutions), (2) sources of discrimination against migrants who share similar backgrounds (e.g., return migrants and co-ethnic migrants), (3) the link between migration and inequality (e.g., unequal impacts of climate change or the housing market), and (4) economic motivations behind migration preferences (e.g., firms' preferences).

Teaching

For detailed information about political studies courses and instructors, please refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate pages.

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)

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’s 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’s University where he will specialize in International Relations. Rakib is currently completing his MA in Religious Studies at Queen’s.

Awards

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

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.

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 ³ÉÈË´óƬ 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)

Research Interests

Zachary’s 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’s University (2020). Zachary’s primary field of study is international relations, and his secondary field is comparative politics.

Awards

• ​​​​Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2026)
• Queen’s Graduate Award (2025)
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2025)
• Queen’s Graduate Award (2024)
• R. Samuel McLaughlin Fellowship (2024)
• Universität der Bundeswehr München Scholarship (2020)
• Queen’s Graduate Award (2019-2020)
• Huntington Bursary (2018)
• Thorneloe Bursary (2018)

Teaching Experience

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

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’s 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)