Program Guidebook · 2014-12-01 · the Bsia has more than 60 faculty, including 12 ciGi chairs and three canada research chairs. these experts contribute to the intellectual life

P r o g r a m G u i d e b o o k

It’s a new world. It’s accelerating. Its problems are borderless, converging, and increasingly urgent. Some societies and institutions are changing fast to meet the challenges, aggressively and irrevocably. But others are falling further and further behind.

Answers to the world’s problems must reach beyond borders of nationality, creed, and discipline. The Waterloo area in Canada provides an ideal crucible for research and teaching to find these answers. jim balsillie

D i r e c t o r ’ s G r e e t i n G

Welcome to the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

We are an institute for advanced research, education and outreach in the fields of global governance and international public policy. As a hub in a global network of scholars, practitioners and students, we aim to develop new solutions to humanity’s critical problems, improve how the world is governed now and in the future, and contribute to enhancing the quality of people’s lives.

Founded in 2007 by philanthropist Jim Balsillie, the School is a unique partnership between two world-class universities, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, and Canada’s leading independent think-tank in the field of international affairs, the Centre for International Governance Innovation. The collaborating institutions bring to the BSIA different but complementary strengths. The two universities employ BSIA faculty and offer BSIA’s academic programs, while the school is able to take advantage of CIGI’s in-house expertise and its worldwide network of practitioners to help inform and guide our outreach and collaborative research.

We hope you will find the information in this book encourages you to pursue a graduate degree through our unique institution. If you have any questions, please send an email to our program information addresses, found on the program pages of this book. We would also be pleased to give you a tour of our beautiful campus if you find yourself in the uptown Waterloo area.

We hope to see you soon at the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

Warm regards,

John Ravenhill Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs

the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 1P r o g r a m G u i d e b o o k

It’s a new world. It’s accelerating. Its problems are borderless, converging, and increasingly urgent. Some societies and institutions are changing fast to meet the challenges, aggressively and irrevocably. But others are falling further and further behind.

Answers to the world’s problems must reach beyond borders of nationality, creed, and discipline. The Waterloo area in Canada provides an ideal crucible for research and teaching to find these answers.

2 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs

Why stuDy at the Bsia?

are you ready to shape the future of global governance or public policy? the Balsillie school of international affairs is home to three degree programs offered by our partner institutions: a Master in international Public Policy, a Master of arts in Global Governance, and a PhD in Global Governance. the Bsia stands out among its competitors in five major areas:

Collaborative environment

the Bsia is a collaborative partnership between

the university of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier university,

and the centre for international Governance innovation

(ciGi). the unique integration of each institution’s

approach and culture gives Bsia an unmatched ability

to connect today’s experts with tomorrow’s leaders

in critical debate and analysis.

Interdisciplinary teaching and research

More than 60 faculty from the three institutions are

associated with the Bsia. these experts are drawn

from political science, economics, history, business,

global studies, philosophy, religion & culture, sociology,

geography and environmental studies, providing

students with a truly interdisciplinary learning and

research environment that no other institution

can match.

Practical focus

experiential learning is a key component of the

teaching philosophy at the Bsia. students have

many opportunities to develop practical skills

through coursework, internship placements or

involvement with ciGi. internships are available

as a component of all three academic programs.

Global connections

the Bsia regularly hosts the world’s leading experts

for public lectures, workshops, conferences and private

student events. these speakers include ambassadors,

senior government officials, nGo policy makers and

renowned faculty from institutions across the globe.

in many cases, students may have one-on-one

conversations with these guest lecturers, giving

them the opportunity to build networks of strong

international connections.

5ways we stand out

International opportunities

The BSIA prepares students for international

careers. Whether through student exchanges

with partner institutions, placements around

the world, or travel to conferences and

workshops abroad, students at the BSIA

have many exceptional chances to gain

international experience.

the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 3Thimphu, Bhutan

6architectural awards in total, the CiGi Campus

has won six architectural

awards since the building

was completed in 2011.

aBout the schooL

the Balsillie school of international affairs is located within the ciGi campus building, which won the prestigious royal institute of architects award. Glass, wood and stone elements figure prominently in the design. the ciGi campus is truly an oasis set in a busy city.

Students are given their own workspaces that feature a desk with lockable drawers, laptop connection and/or wifi. Students have 24-hour access to the building, and there is security on-site at all times. There is plenty of space available for group work or conferences on campus, too. Meeting rooms accommodate groups of eight to 80 people.

In the warmer weather, the courtyard offers a quiet spot to study or to enjoy lunch. In the cooler months, grab a seat by the fireplace in one of our lounges.

The school is also home to the Y Café, which offers breakfast, coffee, tea and light lunches. There are change rooms and showers for those who want to cycle to campus, or exercise between classes.


funDinG oPPortunities

all students admitted to the programs based at the Bsia receive some form of financial assistance and are eligible for a variety of scholarships. PhD students receive renewable fellowships valued at $25,000 annually; Master’s students receive ciGi Graduate fellowships valued at $15,000 for three terms. Both Wilfrid Laurier university and the university of Waterloo offer many additonal scholarships and awards for graduate students. Be sure to visit the Graduate studies web pages at each institution for a current list of opportunities.

The Andrew and Agnes Siklos

Master’s in International Public Policy Award

this endowed scholarship is awarded to one full-time graduate student

entering the Master in international Public Policy program through

Wilfrid Laurier university on the basis of academic excellence.

The Rotary Peace Award

this scholarship is awarded to one full-time graduate student entering

the Ma Global Governance program through the university of Waterloo,

who has a demonstrated record of service to the cause of peace and

whose research focuses broadly on questions of peace.

Briarhurst Travel & Research Award

this award will be provided annually to a full-time graduate student

registered at the university of Waterloo in Global Governance or

environment and resource studies to assist with travel costs associated

with conducting research for his/her final dissertation.

WIlfRId lAuRIeR unIveRSITy: www.wlu.ca/graduatestudies

unIveRSITy of WATeRloo:

www.uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies

the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 5

foR MoRe InfoRMATIon on TheSe AWARdS, PleASe vISIT

www.balsillieschool.ca/degree-programs/scholarships

in addition to these and other

internal awards, bsia students

have been awarded prestigious

external awards including Vanier

Canada Graduate scholarships,

bombardier Canada Graduate

scholarships and Ontario

trillium scholarships.


our exPerts

the Bsia has more than 60 faculty, including 12 ciGi chairs and three canada research chairs. these experts contribute to the intellectual life of the Bsia by teaching in its programs, participating in collaborative research activities, and engaging in public outreach to promote broader understanding of global issues.

Their opinion articles are regularly featured in leading news publications such as The Globe and Mail, The New York Times, the Financial Times, and the Huffington Post, while their research is published in leading journals such as International Organization, International Security, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and Human Rights Quarterly. They appear as experts on CBC’s The National, CBC Radio, National Public Radio, and PBS. They have conducted research or spoken at conferences in almost every country in the world.

Because our programs are relatively small and we offer degrees only at the graduate level, our faculty are much more accessible than those at larger institutions. These are not people who will lecture at you and then disappear until the next class. Our faculty care about your success, are accessible to you throughout your time at the BSIA, and are often available to collaborate on research papers. Many BSIA faculty hire students as research assistants throughout the year, too, which looks great on a resume.

More Information

To read the bios of all the faculty associated with the BSIA,

please visit www.balsillieschool.ca/faculty.

for more information about the CIGI Chairs, please visit

www.balsillieschool.ca/faculty/cigi-chairs.

research funding

since 2007, students in the

Global Governance PhD program

have been awarded more than

$2.8 million in external support

for their research.

+


research at the Bsia

the Bsia’s faculty undertake ground-breaking research across many areas of global governance and international public policy. students at the Bsia are encouraged to join one or more of the research clusters at the school. these clusters meet regularly and coordinate guest lecturers, workshops and research. currently, there are six principal research clusters:

6research clusters

Conflict and Security

research in this cluster includes work on confidence

building, the nexus between economics and security,

the role of ideology in conflict, critical approaches to

security and human security, and human rights.

environment and Resources

this cluster addresses global governance challenges

arising from large-scale environmental and resource

stresses, including climate change, food insecurity,

declining biodiversity, water shortages, forest loss,

fisheries depletion, and energy scarcities.

Migration, Mobilities and Social Politics

this group fosters dialogue and scholarship on

governance challenges arising from global migration,

mobilities and social politics. Priorities include

human rights and citizenship, global social policy

and protection, diaspora and transnationalism,

and territory and identity.

Global Political economy

this cluster embraces a variety of perspectives on

the field of political economy. topics include the

politics of global trade and finance, the changing

world food system, and the rise of “emerging powers”

in the world economy.

Multilateral Institutions

this cluster analyzes the activities and policies of

political, economic and other multilateral institutions—

including intergovernmental and non-governmental

organizations—and the challenges that face such

bodies or are posed by their actions.

Science and health Policy

Drawing on the enormous wealth of talent in the

steM disciplines at both universities, this cluster

examines environmental policies, innovation policies,

health policies, and how canada does (and how

it should) manage the interface between science

and public policy.

johannesburg, south africa


Bsia GraDuates

our graduates are based all around the world, from Panama city to new york, amsterdam to hong Kong and Johannesburg. they can be found working for governments and international organizations, at universities, and with some of the world’s leading international non-governmental organizations.

Kyle harris, maGG ’13

Campaign officer

CIvICuS, South Africa

after completing his academic work, Kyle moved to Johannesburg for his MaGG

internship with ciVicus, an international organization dedicated to strengthening

and protecting citizen action and civil society worldwide. he was so successful that

his internship was extended to a position as campaign officer for ciVicus. in this role,

Kyle is responsible for developing an online platform to allow people to share personal

stories of citizen action. the site allows users to request and volunteer services in

areas such as marketing, web design and fundraising. he is also involved with a

project called Global citizen Day of action, where people from around the world

take to the streets and ask members of the public if they feel they are free to speak

out, organize and take action in their country. Photos and responses are posted

online and eventually an interactive map will allow users to see which populations

feel free to take civil action.

Kyle believes that africa is a place of opportunity, and he is really enjoying his time

there. thanks in part to Kyle’s efforts, the MaGG program now has an agreement

in place with ciVicus to bring at least one Global Governance student to ciVicus

each year for an internship opportunity.

Kenya


michele-lee moore, PhD ’12

Assistant Professor, Geography

university of victoria, Canada

since completing her PhD in Global Governance,

Michele-Lee has begun leading the Water, innovation

and Global Governance Lab (@WiGGLab) based at

the university of Victoria’s centre for Global studies,

where she is also an assistant professor in the

Department of Geography.

her dissertation research focused on the role of a

transnational network in supporting and enabling

governance innovation within river basins in australia,

thailand and canada. Building upon this work,

Michele-Lee’s current research program with the

WiGGLab focuses on two main thematic areas:

examining canada’s contributions to global water

governance and innovation and building capacity for

water governance innovation in canadian watersheds.

Michele-Lee also holds an adjunct position at the

university of Waterloo and was recently involved in

the design and delivery of the rockefeller Global

fellowship on social innovation.

Giovanni Congi, miPP ’08

Public Information Coordinator

nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (nRRC), South Asia

as the Public information coordinator for the

nepal risk reduction consortium (nrrc),

Giovanni is responsible for strengthening disaster

risk reduction and preparedness in nepal through

the development and management of internal

and external communications. the nrrc consists

of the Government of nepal, asian Development

Bank, Dfat, DfiD, international federation of

red cross and red crescent societies, Japanese

embassy, echo, united nations, us embassy

and World Bank.

Giovanni develops materials such as videos and

print publications, and manages relationships with

nearly 100 partner organizations. he is also the

co-lead for the nrrc communications Group,

which brings implementing partners together

to agree to common messages for risk reduction

and to promote consistent public awareness

campaigns and communications.

• Senior Trade Commissioner

embassy of canada

Bogota, columbia

• Research Consultant,

centro internacional de la Papa

Quito, ecuador

• Policy Analyst

aga Khan Development network

Bishkek, Kyrgyz republic

• Research Analyst

Global centre for the

responsibility to Protect

new york, u.s.

• Gender-Based violence

Awareness Program Coordinator

united nations Development

Program (unDP)

islamabad, Pakistan

Graduates of our programs have moved on to positions including:

• Program officer

space security and nuclear

Disarmament Programs,

Project Ploughshares

Waterloo, canada

• Junior Professional Consultant

united nations Development

Program (unDP)

Kathmandu, nepal

• Private Sector Integrity division

Public Governance and territorial

Development Directorate, oecD

Paris, france

• economist and Trade

Policy Analyst

financial sector Policy Branch,

Department of finance

ottawa, canada

• Research Manager,

Productivity and Innovation

centre for economic Performance,

London school of economics

London, uK

• International Consultant

unDP regional center for

Latin america and the caribbean

Panama city, Panama

• Senior Project Coordinator

flood recovery task force,

Government of alberta

edmonton, canada

• Assistant Professor

economies of the

Modern Middle east,

Leiden university

Leiden, the netherlands


elizabeth may speaks to a packed house about climate change.

VisitinG schoLars anD DiPLoMats

extra-curricular programming is a major feature of the Bsia experience. the school’s visitors contribute to lectures, conferences and research, enhancing the student experience. During the last academic year, for instance, the school hosted more than 65 events involving more than 120 speakers.

Waterloo draws many international experts, thanks to CIGI, the universities, and the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics, located just across the street from the BSIA. Last year, the BSIA hosted speakers from Sudan, China, Egypt, the UK, Australia, India and Brazil, as well as from many states and provinces.

Students attend lectures, conferences, coffee chats and evening events featuring senior government officials, NGO policy makers and world-renowned faculty that take place on the BSIA campus.

In 2014, Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada, spoke to a packed house about climate change. The BSIA hosted Joseph Caron, Canada’s former Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, at the CIGI Graduate Fellowship Symposium, where he provided feedback to students on their presentations. Students were invited to enjoy coffee with Tzeporah Berman, an environmental activist and author. Her Excellency Marie-Anne Coninsx, the EU Ambassador to Canada, hosted a roundtable discussion about the Euro Crisis. Sergei Khrushchev, son of former Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev and lecturer at Brown University, discussed with students and faculty whether another cold war between Russia and the West could be averted.

These opportunities enrich the student experience and provide opportunities to build a network of international contacts.


Academic Council on the united nations System (ACunS)

ACunS is a global professional association of educational

and research institutions, individual scholars and

practitioners involved in the work and study of multilateral

relations, global governance and international cooperation.

acuns exists to stimulate, support and disseminate

research, provide analysis on the united nations,

multilateralism and international organization. Global

membership in acuns currently spans 54 countries.

acuns has category 1 consultative status with the

un economic and social council (ecosoc); nGo

affiliate status with the un Department of Public

information; and accreditation to unesco.

hosted by Wilfrid Laurier university since July 2003,

acuns secretariat has been located at the Bsia since

2011; previous host institutions include Dartmouth

college, Brown university and yale.

Contact Information

for more information about ACunS,

visit their website at www.acuns.org.

International Migration Research Centre (IMRC)

the IMRC serves as a focal point for debate, research,

policy analysis, and proposal development related

to international migration and mobility at the global,

national and regional scales. current projects of the

centre include Mapping Migration, island Detention,

Migrant Worker health, Diasporas and Development,

skilled Migration, south african Migration, and the

Global Governance of international Migration. Most

recently, the iMrc has begun work with unWomen,

leading an international project on the rights and

protection of women migrant workers. the iMrc

carries out international and national research that

often requires short-term and long-term research

assistance, so Bsia students have the opportunity

to become actively involved with the centre.

Contact Information

for more information about the IMRC,

visit their website at www.imrc.ca.

centres at the Bsia

the Bsia is home to two research centres with an international profile –

the academic council for the united nations system (acuns) and the

international Migration research centre (iMrc). these centres, and the

staff and faculty who work in them, enhance the environment at the

Bsia by hosting guest speakers and events open to students and faculty.

they also offer opportunities to engage with the centres’ activities and

research. in June 2014, a group of Bsia students was selected to present

their research at the acuns annual Meeting in istanbul, turkey.


GraDuate ProGraMs

the Balsillie school of international affairs is home to three world-class academic programs offered by the university of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier university, advancing ambitious, innovative approaches to global governance and international public policy.

master of arts in Global Governance (maGG)

Students in the MAGG program examine the norms, rules, and processes involved in the management of global society that affects billions of ordinary lives around the world. The MAGG goes beyond the rigidities and formalities of established academic boundaries by drawing on a variety of disciplines, including economics, politics, history, sociology, and environmental studies. Designed to be completed in 16 months, the program typically consists of two terms of course work, a third term in which students complete a Major Research Paper (MRP) on a specific research topic of their choosing, followed by a fourth term as an intern working in the public or private sector, a research institute or NGO. In recent years, some of the organizations with which students have had internships include Amnesty International, the International Organization for Migration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, and the UN Development Program.

Contact Information

for more information about the MAGG program, please contact:

[email protected]

Costa Rica


“ the relationship between

the faculty members and

the graduate students

is extremely rich – immensely

rewarding for all of the

graduate students here.”

Rebekah Pullen, maGG student

Internship

all MaGG students are required to spend the equivalent of one academic

term as an intern working on global governance issues in the public

or private sector, at a research institute, or for a non-governmental

organization. a written report is evaluated by the Director of the

internship Program on a pass-fail basis. this report is distinct from

the Major research Paper, but can build towards it.

CIGI Graduate fellowship

students have the opportunity to participate in the ciGi Graduate fellowship

program, a professional development program run in partnership with

ciGi and the MiPP. as fellows, students gain mentorship and guidance

from senior scholars and policy practitioners as they advance their

own policy research and writing skills.

northern Kenya

bosnia and herzegovina


master of international Public Policy (miPP)

The Master of International Public Policy program provides graduate training for individuals looking to pursue or enhance careers in global policy development, implementation and evaluation. A multidisciplinary and integrated curriculum is combined with a team-teaching approach to achieve the program’s objectives. Students complete three terms of intensive course work, each of which builds a specific skill set. The first term emphasizes core skills in public sector economics, policy analysis and research tools (statistics), and also in international relations and globalization. These core skills are then applied during the following two terms to the interdisciplinary study of a selected field of concentration in international public policy.

Each field of concentration comprises a multidisciplinary suite of courses involving faculty members from such areas as political science, economics, global studies and environmental studies, which ensure students gain a comprehensive understanding of the various perspectives and interests that shape international public policy. A team-taught interdisciplinary seminar provides a unique forum for making those connections. Guest lectures and workshops from policy experts and practitioners supplement the student’s formal study, providing valuable insights on current issues and on the practice of international public policy.

Contact Information

for more information about the MIPP program, please contact:

[email protected]

GraDuate ProGraMs

Choose a Concentration

in each of the second and third terms, MiPP students specialize in one of the two international public policy fields offered in that term. the four fields of concentration offered each year are:

International environmental Policy: this field considers complex, global environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss with an emphasis on the multi-level institutions, factors and conflicts that shape environmental and natural resource policies in a global world.

International economic Relations: Key issues including global trade, finance and intellectual property rights are considered in the context of growing international integration and interdependence. the field focuses on connections between states and markets, economics and politics and international institutions and economic activity.

human Security: this field offers rich opportunities for interdisciplinary policy investigation of a wide range of personal and collective security issues including poverty, human rights, civil conflicts and education.

Global Governance: students examine the formal and informal structures, institutions, entities and arrangements that shape public policy solutions to global problems. While other MiPP fields focus on particular policy areas, this field considers the broader questions and debates relating to the theory and practice of global governance.

CIGI Graduate fellowship

students have the opportunity to participate in the ciGi Graduate fellowship program, a professional development program run in partnership with ciGi and the MaGG. as fellows, students gain mentorship and guidance from senior scholars and policy practitioners, as they advance their own policy research and writing skills.


“ the bsia shows you how to

think critically, to come up with

new ideas, and to analyze situations

quickly and under pressure.

the school has prepared

me well for my career.”

michael mosier, miPP ‘09

Jaipur, India


PhD in Global Governance

The PhD in Global Governance, offered jointly by the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, is a unique opportunity for an interdisciplinary examination of power and authority in the global arena. Graduate students in the program examine the variety of actors, institutions, ideas, rules and processes that contribute to the management of global society. In addition to international organizations and inter-state relations, the study of global governance examines the various non-state actors as well as the realities of contemporary life that contribute to the establishment and functioning of global rules, norms and institutions. This program interrogates the concepts, tools, and assumptions that have served scholars in the past and assesses new approaches for addressing contemporary and future challenges.

Contact Information

for more information about the Phd program, please contact:

[email protected]

GraDuate ProGraMs

“ the balsillie school is

extraordinary. there

is nothing else like it.

the professors are

supportive, the funding

is amazing, and the

fact that it’s tied to a

think-tank and two

universities – you just

can’t find this combination

anywhere else.”

tahnee Prior, maGG ‘12, PhD candidate

our reGion

a thriving, smart community

the ciGi campus is located on erb street West in the culturally

diverse community of Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W), just 100

kilometres west of toronto. K-W is home to nearly 55,000

post-secondary students, so the city offers plenty of housing

options, restaurants, entertainment and recreational activities

geared to students and young families. With hiking trails,

the Grand river, golf courses, skating rinks, soccer fields

and even a ski hill, there is no shortage of activities available in

town. the population of K-W is approximately 350,000, which is

small enough to feel safe and easy to navigate, yet big enough

to offer world class festivals, concerts and sporting events.

Photos (top row, left to right): Skating at Waterloo Town Square; Perimeter Institute

for Theoretical Physics; Kitchener City hall; canoeing on the Grand River. Second row,

left to right: conducting the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony orchestra; uptown

Waterloo at night; Waterloo Region Museum; the Clay and Glass Gallery.

Photo credits: Masri o Architects Inc.

(skating at Waterloo Town Square)

Sean M Puckett (KW Symphony),

uptown Waterloo BIA.

A centre for advanced research and teaching in a global network of scholars, students and policy makers.

balsillieschool.ca67 erb st. W., Waterloo, ON N2l 6C2

t 226.772.3001

facebook.com/balsillieschool

@balsilliesiainset international photos © lucie edwards (pages 3, 8, 13, 15), branka marijan (page 14).

all other photos © maris mezulis (front cover and inside back cover), tom arban (pages 4, 10),

lisa malleck (pages 6, 12), CiGi Digital media Department (pages 10, 14/15) and stan switalski (page 16).

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Documents

Program Guidebook · 2014-12-01 · the Bsia has more than 60 faculty, including 12 ciGi chairs and three canada research chairs. these experts contribute to the intellectual life