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So much for "too close to call". Donald Trump soundly defeats Kamala Harris, and will serve as the 47th President of the United States. What does the election result say about America today? What does it mean for Canada and the rest of the world? 2:38 | Mount Royal University Political Science professor Dr. Duane Bratt tells us why he thinks the Trump campaign was so successful, and what the Trump win means for Canada. 15:30 | University of Calgary Political Science professor Dr. Melanee Thomas breaks down the election results, and explains exactly where the Harris campaign fell short. 29:00 | Political commentator, podcaster, and author Jared Yates Sexton tells us how he's feeling about the state of his country. 37:15 | Athabasca University Political Science professor Dr. Mark Crawford gets into the international implications of Trump's return to the White House. CHECK OUT THE AU ADVANTAGE: 47:10 | Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman forecasts President Trump's approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, the future of NATO, and the U.S.-Canada trade relationship. 1:00:40 | Congratulations to The Maligne Range, the first distillery in Jasper! We highlight their exceptional cuisine and diverse beverage menu in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper. CHECK IT OUT: https://themalignerange.com/ 1:02:40 | Jespo and Johnny check out what Real Talkers have to say about Trump's win (and Harris' loss) in our YouTube live chat. 1:26:20 | Did you hear what Texas state representative James Talarico, a born-again Christian, had to say about Christian Nationalists and Project 2025? We take a look. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS: uofa.ca/nominate FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/c/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.
Energy transition — moving away from fossil fuels toward more renewable sources of energy — is well underway, even in Alberta. For example, Alberta will move completely away from coal-fired electricity by the end of 2023. Despite this, energy transition is sometimes presented as, and for some genuinely perceived as an “existential” threat to economic prosperity, particularly for provinces like Alberta. This presentation outlines public opinion about energy transition; knowing this helps explain and understand how and why energy transition is politicized by elite and partisan political actors. Speaker: Melanee Thomas, PhD Professor - Department of Political Science - University of Calgary Melanee Thomas is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research addresses the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality, focusing on Canadian political parties, elections, and political institutions; gender and politics; and the politics of energy transition. Her scholarship appears in Electoral Studies, Political Communication, Politics and Gender, Political Behavior, Energy Politics, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science.
Welcome back to a new season of Energy vs Climate! On our first episode of the season, Sara and Ed speak to Dr. Melanee Thomas. Melanee is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research investigates the politics of energy transition in Canada, from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, with the aim of developing potential solutions that strengthen our democratic politics. Through our conversation we dove into Melanee's survey research into Albertans' attitudes to the energy transition, the oil and gas industry, coal and climate change. David wasn't able to join us for this one, but he'll be back live for Episode 2.energyvsclimate.com@EnergyvsClimate
On this March 8th edition of The Drive Podcast: Starting off the show we are talking women in politics this International Women's Day. We talk with University of Calgary professor and political scientist Melanee Thomas about the explicit gender stereotyping in Canadian Politics. Up next, we're talking financial literacy with financial educator, Christa Mathews on the best way to talk to our kids about money. Lastly, we talk with Dr. Danielle Rice, a psychologist and assistant professor at McMaster University. Dr. Rice was a part of a new study looking at how we are doing mentally, coming out of COVID.
Many academics have pets. For me, most of my academic life from my postdoc until very recently involved my beloved cat, a long haired Maine Coon named Cornelius, who was my sidekick, my best friend, my confidante. We said goodbye to him on October 4, 2022. So for this episode, I want to honour Cornelius by talking about academic pets with Academic Aunties producer, Dr. Nisha Nath and returning guest, Dr. Sule Tomkinson. Throughout this episode, you'll also hear voice memos from listeners sharing stories of their pets. Thanks to Chad Cowie, Kristine Alexander, Megan Cloutier, Rita Dhamoon, Megan Gaucher, Justin Leifso, Stepanie Silverman, and Melanee Thomas for sharing your stories! Related links https://www.edmontonhumanesociety.com/ (Edmonton Humane Society) Thanks for listening! Get more information, support the show, and read all the transcripts at https://www.academicaunties.com/ (academicaunties.com). Get in touch with Academic Aunties on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/academicauntie (@AcademicAuntie) or by e-mail at podcast@academicaunties.com. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podsights - https://podsights.com/privacy
Melanee Thomas, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, spoke with guest host Preston Mulligan about some of the forces driving what organizers call the Freedom Convoy headed to Parliament Hill.
Happy New Year! Before we take off on our virtual world tour, let's take some time to check in on the home front. On this episode of No Second Chances, host Kate Graham talks to Jacqueline O'Neill, Anjum Sultana, and Melanee Thomas to take stock of the past two years in Canadian politics, and how we can - and must - do better.
Happy New Year! Before we take off on our virtual world tour, let's take some time to check in on the home front. On this episode of No Second Chances, host Kate Graham talks to Jacqueline O'Neill, Anjum Sultana, and Melanee Thomas to take stock of the past two years in Canadian politics, and how we can - and must - do better.
The Liberal Party retained power in a close-run 2019 federal election where the Liberals won 157 seats and 33% of the popular vote, enough to form a minority government. The opposition Conservative Party won more votes, but far fewer seats. This was the first time since 1979 that the winner of the most seats wasn't also the winner of the most votes. The NDP and separatist Bloc Quebecois parties both ended up holding the balance of power. The speaker will unpack the results of the September 20, 2021 federal election and outline some of the main issues including why the Liberals called the election in the middle of this current 4th COVID pandemic wave. Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students' Union President.
16:58 | Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair analyzes the upcoming federal election and how Indigenous issues are being explored—more than ever before, but there's still a long way to go! 50:16 | University of Calgary political scientist Dr. Melanee Thomas on the dangerous trend of legitimizing political groups with racist views, following the Globe & Mail publishing an opinion piece on the far-right People's Party of Canada deserving representation. 1:29:57 | #MyJasper Memories | Ryan shares about autumn in the national park with the season offering a stunning, rich palette of colours to visitors. Presented by Tourism Jasper 1:33:42 | Alberta's former Chief Medial Officer of Health Dr. James Talbot warns of a looming health system collapse due to the provincial government's pandemic response.
What's at risk when we start to see the erosion of political norms? We sat down with Dr. Melanee Thomas to try and get a clearer picture as to what the risks are when political norms start to break down. Not only that, but we got well into the Drewdatah, Political Leadership, Colonialism, the Calgary Stampede and even The Green Line! As always, if you appreciate the kind of content that we're trying to produce here at The Breakdown, please consider signing up as a monthly supporter at our patreon site at www.patreon.com/thebreakdownab, and if you're listening to the audio version of our podcast, please consider leaving us a review and a rating and don't forget to like and follow us on facebook, twitter and instagram all at @thebreakdownab.
Guest: Dr. Melanee Thomas, Associate Professor - Political Science at the University of Calgary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What the heck is going on in Alberta? Host Kathleen Petty and her guests hunt for the reasons behind political upheaval in the province during this CBC Calgary Facebook Live event. Whether it’s protest rodeos or vaccine debates, political infighting and polarization are leading to exhaustion. Is it COVID fatigue, or is something else going on? Kathleen breaks it down with Janet Brown and John Santos of Janet Brown Opinion Research, Duane Bratt from Mount Royal University, Melanee Thomas at the University of Calgary, and Jen Gerson, editor of The Line.
Alberta's per-capita COVID-19 case count became the highest in North America this week, as hundreds attended anti-lockdown protests and Premier Jason Kenney announced new restrictions. We talk to Dr. Gabriel Fabreau about what he's seeing at his hospital; and we discuss the political leadership in the crisis with Tim Caulfield, Canada research chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta; and Melanee Thomas, a professor of political science at the University of Calgary.
Premier Jason Kenney is learning how hard it can be to dance with the ones who brought him to power. A new in-depth and wide-ranging CBC poll from Janet Brown Opinion Research shows Alberta voters are fickle and not reliable for Kenney, or his federal Conservative counterpart. Kathleen Petty teases out what’s driving public opinion as politicians lead and follow through the pandemic, economic crisis and the challenges for oil and gas, the country’s biggest industry. And what’s with that swath of undecided wall flowers? Her guests are lead pollster Janet Brown, political scientists Melanee Thomas of the University of Calgary and Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University.
It started with a question about conservative bias in universities and blew up from there - what was it really about? Dr. Melanee Thomas from the University of Calgary and Dr. Lise Gotell from the University of Alberta shed some light on the subject. Kathleen Smith admits she's seeing a clearer picture and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean realizes we're probably never going to get a conservative perspective on these conversations. Subscribers get more: uncensored episodes available on patreon at politicalrnd
After Thursday's "ornery" start, Ryan welcomes Dr. Melanee Thomas and Dr. Lise Gotell to respond, and expand the conversation around bias on university campuses. Our long-anticipated "Solar Panel" features Dr. Sara Hastings-Simon, Heather MacKenzie, and Jake Kubiski, who take your questions on battery storage, cost barriers, government incentives, climate justice, and more. Plus, it's Friday, so buckle up for another rowdy edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste! 6:07 - Dr. Melanee Thomas 24:28 - Dr. Lise Gotell 44:38 - Solar Panel 1:51:53 - Trash Talk
Melanee Thomas joined Dave Cournoyer for a deep dive into Alberta's politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the relationship between the provincial and federal governments, and how Albertans' political self-identification could be influencing Premier Jason Kenney's decision to avoid serious public health measures including a province-wide mandatory mask mandate. Thomas also shared what it has […]
We talk to Melanee Thomas about sexism and racism in #cdnpoli and Sherly Lightfoot about how Indigenous people have been talked about during #BCElxn2020. Plus: anti-maskers, the Yaletown OPS, & final hot election takes. Tune in!
Alberta's Fair Deal Panel report was released and what did we learn? Alberta wants to be more like Quebec if we're going to stay in Canada. Dr. Melanee Thomas from the University of Calgary was analyzing data for CBC's Road Ahead series on the recent Fair Deal questions, Doug Griffiths, former Progressive Conservative MLA was on a committee in 2002-03 asking the same questions, and Dr. Herb Emery researched these questions since 1993 (23 years) at the University of Calgary, join Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean to discuss their thoughts. Three experiences, three perspectives, one great conversation.
Earlier in June, the Fair Deal Panel made public its final report to the Alberta government. The stated goal of the panel was to find ways to get Alberta a better deal in the federation, and promote the province’s economic interests along the way. In the recommendations, some of the items are now standard fare for Alberta politics, including the referendum on equalization promised by Premier Jason Kenney. Others, like establishing a provincial police force and withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan, not so much. This week on the podcast, we take a deep dive into the policy and politics of the Fair Deal Panel, and what they tell us about Alberta today, with Trevor Tombe and Melanee Thomas. Trevor Tombe is an associate professor of economics and a research fellow at the University of Calgary School of Public Policy. He’s also the author of the IRPP paper, "An (Overdue) Review of Canada’s Fiscal Stabilization Program," which we discussed on an earlier podcast. Melanee Thomas is an associate professor of political science at the University of Calgary. She’s written several pieces for Policy Options, including one about separatist anger in Alberta and another about Jason Kenney’s focus on Quebec. What’s the deal with fiscal stabilization?: https://options-po.li/2uXBzNk An (Overdue) Review of Canada’s Fiscal Stabilization Program: https://on-irpp.org/38OBr1q Jason Kenney’s case of Quebec envy: https://options-po.li/2KOTiLE As Alberta’s anger deepens, it gets harder to turn off: https://options-po.li/311g0GG
Anxiety levels are high in Alberta months into the pandemic.The latest CBC-Road Ahead poll surveyed Albertans on what they think now on a range of political issues. Kathleen Petty breaks down the numbers with Janet Brown of Janet Brown Opinion Research, data scientist John Santos, political scientists Melanee Thomas of the University of Calgary and Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University.
Public health officials have been clear about one thing for a couple months — we need to act collectively to minimize the spread of COVID-19. First, they asked that certain people self-isolate and that we all socially distance. But because some people didn't listen, they had to institute mandatory edicts, punishable by fines. Most Albertans followed the "ask" instructions laid out by public health officials. So why do some folks need the penalty before they'll do the right thing? The speakers will argue that “willing participants” (in it for the greater good) and “rational egoists” (in it for themselves) make up about 65 and 20 percent of the population respectively. Then there are the “Altruists” (who always do the right thing) and “punishers” (who are willing to punish those people breaking rules, even if it has a personal cost) making up about 15 percent. The speakers will explain further and make the point that efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic highlight how things that matter profoundly to us as individuals — like, for instance, our health — are really, at the end of the day, a collective responsibility. Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas and Lisa Lambert Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students' Union President. Lisa Lambert is a student of parliaments, loves to regale her family with tales of politics, procedures, and party structure. Mercifully for them, she has been able to channel her passion for politics into sessional work at the University of Lethbridge in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies since 2009. Date and time: Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 10 am YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/mKF7ihi_NMo In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you'll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don't, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
Public health officials have been clear about one thing for a couple months — we need to act collectively to minimize the spread of COVID-19. First, they asked that certain people self-isolate and that we all socially distance. But because some people didn't listen, they had to institute mandatory edicts, punishable by fines. Most Albertans followed the "ask" instructions laid out by public health officials. So why do some folks need the penalty before they'll do the right thing? The speakers will argue that “willing participants” (in it for the greater good) and “rational egoists” (in it for themselves) make up about 65 and 20 percent of the population respectively. Then there are the “Altruists” (who always do the right thing) and “punishers” (who are willing to punish those people breaking rules, even if it has a personal cost) making up about 15 percent. The speakers will explain further and make the point that efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic highlight how things that matter profoundly to us as individuals — like, for instance, our health — are really, at the end of the day, a collective responsibility. Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas and Lisa Lambert Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students' Union President. Lisa Lambert is a student of parliaments, loves to regale her family with tales of politics, procedures, and party structure. Mercifully for them, she has been able to channel her passion for politics into sessional work at the University of Lethbridge in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies since 2009. Date and time: Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 10 am YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/mKF7ihi_NMo In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you'll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don't, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
Alberta was already coping with job losses and falling oil prices when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. A CBC News poll was in the field during turbulent times in the province - the Teck Frontier decision, an austerity budget, a stock market crash and the early shock of COVID-19. Kathleen Petty takes the pulse of Alberta at a critical moment with lead pollster Janet Brown, data scientist John Santos and academic advisers Duane Bratt and Melanee Thomas.
Where have all our female premiers gone? In this episode of The Big Question, we're talking to Melanee Thomas, an associate professor of political science at the University of Calgary, about why there are so few female leaders in Canadian politics.
What's beneath the recent craziness of Alberta politics? Melanee Thomas, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, has a hypothesis on that. Jeremy speaks with her after Rachel Notley calls the election.
Melanee Thomas and Amanda Bittner have assembled a fascinating and important exploration of the role, understanding, and perceptions of mothers and motherhood within the realm of politics. Mothers and Others: The Role of Parenthood in Politics (University of British Columbia Press, 2017) opens up many avenues for understanding and considering what we mean and what we think about when the concept and reality of motherhood is introduced into political dynamics. This relationship, which is often a tension, as explored in the book, includes those who have run for and occupied elected office, have been appointed to public office, or have otherwise held public office. The book moves beyond this arena to consider, as well, how motherhood is communicated and why it is communicated in the ways that it is or where it is perhaps subsumed—and thus not communicated—by those running for office. Much of the discussion within Mothers and Others is also the contrast between how motherhood is seen for female public officials and how it is perceived in relation to male public officials. Many readers will be familiar with the different approach that the media has towards female candidates, especially around the issues of balancing home life and public life, but this collection of essays delves deeply into not only this overt example, but how and why this has come to frame our consumption of candidates for office. The final section of the book examines the perspective from citizens themselves—with research exploring how and when individuals who are mothers or fathers become involved in politics and how this shifts and changes over time. This section also helps the reader to think about what we, ourselves, understand about our own political knowledge and that of our fellow citizens, and how and where we may utilize that knowledge in many of the decisions we make, from voting and civic engagement to economic consumption. Thomas and Bittner both start and conclude the book by highlighting the need for more research and analysis, especially in regard to our understanding of the public workplace and how and where women and mothers have been incorporated into that space, but also how they remain outsiders in that space. This book will be of interest to many readers across a host of disciplines, as it is a complex comparative study—incorporating data and analysis from a host of different political systems, countries, cultures, and perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Melanee Thomas and Amanda Bittner have assembled a fascinating and important exploration of the role, understanding, and perceptions of mothers and motherhood within the realm of politics. Mothers and Others: The Role of Parenthood in Politics (University of British Columbia Press, 2017) opens up many avenues for understanding and considering what we mean and what we think about when the concept and reality of motherhood is introduced into political dynamics. This relationship, which is often a tension, as explored in the book, includes those who have run for and occupied elected office, have been appointed to public office, or have otherwise held public office. The book moves beyond this arena to consider, as well, how motherhood is communicated and why it is communicated in the ways that it is or where it is perhaps subsumed—and thus not communicated—by those running for office. Much of the discussion within Mothers and Others is also the contrast between how motherhood is seen for female public officials and how it is perceived in relation to male public officials. Many readers will be familiar with the different approach that the media has towards female candidates, especially around the issues of balancing home life and public life, but this collection of essays delves deeply into not only this overt example, but how and why this has come to frame our consumption of candidates for office. The final section of the book examines the perspective from citizens themselves—with research exploring how and when individuals who are mothers or fathers become involved in politics and how this shifts and changes over time. This section also helps the reader to think about what we, ourselves, understand about our own political knowledge and that of our fellow citizens, and how and where we may utilize that knowledge in many of the decisions we make, from voting and civic engagement to economic consumption. Thomas and Bittner both start and conclude the book by highlighting the need for more research and analysis, especially in regard to our understanding of the public workplace and how and where women and mothers have been incorporated into that space, but also how they remain outsiders in that space. This book will be of interest to many readers across a host of disciplines, as it is a complex comparative study—incorporating data and analysis from a host of different political systems, countries, cultures, and perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Melanee Thomas and Amanda Bittner have assembled a fascinating and important exploration of the role, understanding, and perceptions of mothers and motherhood within the realm of politics. Mothers and Others: The Role of Parenthood in Politics (University of British Columbia Press, 2017) opens up many avenues for understanding and considering... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Melanee Thomas and Amanda Bittner have assembled a fascinating and important exploration of the role, understanding, and perceptions of mothers and motherhood within the realm of politics. Mothers and Others: The Role of Parenthood in Politics (University of British Columbia Press, 2017) opens up many avenues for understanding and considering what we mean and what we think about when the concept and reality of motherhood is introduced into political dynamics. This relationship, which is often a tension, as explored in the book, includes those who have run for and occupied elected office, have been appointed to public office, or have otherwise held public office. The book moves beyond this arena to consider, as well, how motherhood is communicated and why it is communicated in the ways that it is or where it is perhaps subsumed—and thus not communicated—by those running for office. Much of the discussion within Mothers and Others is also the contrast between how motherhood is seen for female public officials and how it is perceived in relation to male public officials. Many readers will be familiar with the different approach that the media has towards female candidates, especially around the issues of balancing home life and public life, but this collection of essays delves deeply into not only this overt example, but how and why this has come to frame our consumption of candidates for office. The final section of the book examines the perspective from citizens themselves—with research exploring how and when individuals who are mothers or fathers become involved in politics and how this shifts and changes over time. This section also helps the reader to think about what we, ourselves, understand about our own political knowledge and that of our fellow citizens, and how and where we may utilize that knowledge in many of the decisions we make, from voting and civic engagement to economic consumption. Thomas and Bittner both start and conclude the book by highlighting the need for more research and analysis, especially in regard to our understanding of the public workplace and how and where women and mothers have been incorporated into that space, but also how they remain outsiders in that space. This book will be of interest to many readers across a host of disciplines, as it is a complex comparative study—incorporating data and analysis from a host of different political systems, countries, cultures, and perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Melanee Thomas and Amanda Bittner have assembled a fascinating and important exploration of the role, understanding, and perceptions of mothers and motherhood within the realm of politics. Mothers and Others: The Role of Parenthood in Politics (University of British Columbia Press, 2017) opens up many avenues for understanding and considering what we mean and what we think about when the concept and reality of motherhood is introduced into political dynamics. This relationship, which is often a tension, as explored in the book, includes those who have run for and occupied elected office, have been appointed to public office, or have otherwise held public office. The book moves beyond this arena to consider, as well, how motherhood is communicated and why it is communicated in the ways that it is or where it is perhaps subsumed—and thus not communicated—by those running for office. Much of the discussion within Mothers and Others is also the contrast between how motherhood is seen for female public officials and how it is perceived in relation to male public officials. Many readers will be familiar with the different approach that the media has towards female candidates, especially around the issues of balancing home life and public life, but this collection of essays delves deeply into not only this overt example, but how and why this has come to frame our consumption of candidates for office. The final section of the book examines the perspective from citizens themselves—with research exploring how and when individuals who are mothers or fathers become involved in politics and how this shifts and changes over time. This section also helps the reader to think about what we, ourselves, understand about our own political knowledge and that of our fellow citizens, and how and where we may utilize that knowledge in many of the decisions we make, from voting and civic engagement to economic consumption. Thomas and Bittner both start and conclude the book by highlighting the need for more research and analysis, especially in regard to our understanding of the public workplace and how and where women and mothers have been incorporated into that space, but also how they remain outsiders in that space. This book will be of interest to many readers across a host of disciplines, as it is a complex comparative study—incorporating data and analysis from a host of different political systems, countries, cultures, and perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Melanee Thomas and Amanda Bittner have assembled a fascinating and important exploration of the role, understanding, and perceptions of mothers and motherhood within the realm of politics. Mothers and Others: The Role of Parenthood in Politics (University of British Columbia Press, 2017) opens up many avenues for understanding and considering what we mean and what we think about when the concept and reality of motherhood is introduced into political dynamics. This relationship, which is often a tension, as explored in the book, includes those who have run for and occupied elected office, have been appointed to public office, or have otherwise held public office. The book moves beyond this arena to consider, as well, how motherhood is communicated and why it is communicated in the ways that it is or where it is perhaps subsumed—and thus not communicated—by those running for office. Much of the discussion within Mothers and Others is also the contrast between how motherhood is seen for female public officials and how it is perceived in relation to male public officials. Many readers will be familiar with the different approach that the media has towards female candidates, especially around the issues of balancing home life and public life, but this collection of essays delves deeply into not only this overt example, but how and why this has come to frame our consumption of candidates for office. The final section of the book examines the perspective from citizens themselves—with research exploring how and when individuals who are mothers or fathers become involved in politics and how this shifts and changes over time. This section also helps the reader to think about what we, ourselves, understand about our own political knowledge and that of our fellow citizens, and how and where we may utilize that knowledge in many of the decisions we make, from voting and civic engagement to economic consumption. Thomas and Bittner both start and conclude the book by highlighting the need for more research and analysis, especially in regard to our understanding of the public workplace and how and where women and mothers have been incorporated into that space, but also how they remain outsiders in that space. This book will be of interest to many readers across a host of disciplines, as it is a complex comparative study—incorporating data and analysis from a host of different political systems, countries, cultures, and perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Melanee Thomas joined the department of political science at Ucalgary in 2012. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies, with a particular focus on political attitudes and behaviour, and policy feedback. Her current projects include an edited collection titled Mothers and Others: Understanding the Impact of Family Life on Politics (funded by a SSHRC Aid to Workshops Grant), an exploration of the effects of gender, stereotype threat, and psychological orientations to politics (funded by a SSHRC Insight Grant), and project examining the role electoral districts play in voter turnout, party competition, and representational diversity. Dr. Thomas is willing to supervise graduate students studying gender and politics, Canadian politics, political behaviour, public opinion, and political psychology.
Desmond and Andray try to understand the NDP's shocking victory. Guests: professor Melanee Thomas and writer Drew Brown. Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.