Rights and Representation Lab

The Rights and Representation Lab supports research related to the politics of rights and representation in Canada. Dr. Elizabeth Baisley is the Lab’s Director, and Dr. Quinn M. Albaugh is its Associate Director. The Rights and Representation Lab is housed in the Centre for the Study of Democracy and Diversity at Queen’s University. We host some open events and workshops (such as a panel on Backlash against LGBTQ2S+ People and Rights in Canada) as well as hold regular meetings for lab members.

Who Can Join the Lab?

Are you/will you be a Queen’s University student? Are you interested in joining the lab? Do you want to conduct research related to the politics of rights and representation in Canada? We welcome applications from those who are or will be Queen’s undergraduate students, graduate students, pre-doctoral fellows, or postdoctoral fellows interested in any of our current research areas:

1. Rights beyond the courts: Beyond the courts, where are rights being advocated and challenged in Canada? On which rights issues do we see retrenchment? What are the causes and consequences of rights retrenchment?

2. Political representation: Which groups remain underrepresented in Canadian politics—federally, provincially, and municipally? What are the main barriers to political office? How can we best address these barriers? And what are the consequences of this underrepresentation?

3. LGBTQ2S+ politics: We especially encourage applications from those interested in the questions above with respect to LGBTQ2S+ people and politics but will also consider applications from those interested in LGBTQ2S+ politics in Canada more broadly.

What Do I Gain by Joining the Lab?

  • Learn more about what research is and how it is done

  • Get feedback on research proposals, research, and funding proposals

  • Be considered for paid research opportunities

  • Receive support from other researchers at different stages

  • Collaborate on research projects

How Do I Apply to Join the Lab?

If you are interested in joining the Lab, please contact the Director, Dr. Elizabeth Baisley (keab@queensu.ca), with an application. The application should include the following:

  • a cover letter outlining why you would like to join the lab and the contribution you think you would make to lab activities

  • a resume or CV, including the names and contact information for two references

  • unofficial transcript(s)

  • a one-page research proposal related to lab themes (What would you like to do as part of the lab? This is an opportunity for you to outline a potential research interest.)

The Lab seeks to make Canadian political science more inclusive, so we particularly welcome applications from those who are from groups that remain underrepresented in the discipline.