photograph of Brendan Dell

Brendan Dell

Doctoral Student

He/Him

Political Studies

MA Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy (University of Guelph) | BAH Criminal Justice and Public Policy

Doctoral Student

b.dell@queensu.ca

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, B300

Supervisors: St茅phanie Chouinard and Paul Gardner

Research Interests

Canadian politics, courts, law and politics, federalism, constitutional law, rights, policymaking, criminal justice

Brief Biography

Brendan Dell is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Studies at 成人大片 working under the co-supervision of Dr. St茅phanie Chouinard and Dr. Paul Gardner. He received both his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy and master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy from the University of Guelph.

Brendan's research focuses broadly on Canadian law and politics. Specifically, his research explores the relationship between the government and the judiciary on constitutional issues (such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms). His dissertation explores the strategic use of courts by provincial governments in constitutional cases.

Awards and scholarships 

  • 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (成人大片)
  • 2021 SSHRC Canadian Graduate Scholarship - Master's (University of Guelph)
  • 2020 John F. Melby Thesis Prize (University of Guelph)
    • Awarded for highest Honours thesis grade in the Department of Political Science
  • 2020 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (University of Guelph)

 

Selected Publications

Dell, Brendan, 鈥淩eturn to Smith: Canadian Courts鈥 Treatment of Harper-Era Mandatory Minimum Sentences (2008-2023)鈥 Manuscript accepted by Ottawa Law Review (forthcoming).

Dell, Brendan, "The Use of Former Supreme Court Justices by Governments: Assessing the Dangers" in Morton, F.L., and Dave Snow (eds.) Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process in Canada. 5th edition. Calgary: University of Calgary Press (forthcoming).

Dell, Brendan and Kate Puddister, "Consequences of Weak Parliamentary Rights Review: A Study of Harper-Era Mandatory Minimum Sentences" in Macfarlane, Emmett (ed.). Rights and Institutional Relationships. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (forthcoming).

Dell, Brendan and Mark Harding, "A culture of rights or governing like judges? Assessing the Justin Trudeau government's use of Charter Statements" in Macfarlane, Emmett (ed.). Rights and Institutional Relationships. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (forthcoming).