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.
4 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs
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.
6 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs
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.
+
the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 7
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
8 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs
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
the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 9
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
10 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs
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.
the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 11
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.
12 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs
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:
Costa Rica
the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 13
“ 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
14 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs
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:
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 balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs • 15
“ 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
16 • the balsillie sChOOl OF iNteRNatiONal aFFaiRs
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:
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).
bs
ia-7
64-a
PR
14