Graduate Students

The Centre does not offer courses and is not a degree-granting program, but it supports graduate students connected with Political Science and other departments at Dalhousie. Those interested in graduate studies at Dalhousie should consult the Graduate Studies calendar, and queries about the graduate program in Political Science should be directed to the department’s Graduate Coordinator, Kristin Good (kristin.good@dal.ca).

Scholarships for students working on International Relations

More information about the scholarships and prizes outlined here is available through the Political Science department website: see navigation tabs at right.

Glyn R. Berry Scholarship Memorial Scholarship in International Policy Studies: Named for a Dalhousie PhD whose life and distinguished career in the foreign service were tragically cut short by a terrorist attack in Afghanistan, this scholarship supports a PhD candidate who specializes in Canadian foreign policy, defence and security policy, development assistance policy, or another area addressing Canada's role in international affairs.

The Timothy Shaw & Jane Parpart Scholarship in Political Science: A new program funded by the generosity of long-time Dalhousie professors Timothy Shaw and Jane Parpart, these scholarships support high-achieving MA and PhD students who are from the Global South and/or researching topics concerning the Global South.

Keens-Morden Scholarship: Named for prominent civil servant (and Dalhousie alumnus) Reid Morden and Margaret (Keens) Morden, this scholarship supports an incoming MA student who has demonstrated a keen interest in international relations, Canadian foreign policy, or defence and security studies.

Margaret Meagher Fellowship in Political Science: Named for former Canadian ambassador and distinguished Dalhousie alumnus Margaret Meagher, this scholarship supports an incoming MA student in the field of international relations.

Doris Boyle Prize: Annual essay prize for the best paper on an International Relations topic. Named for the Centre’s first and longest-serving administrative secretary, in honour of her important contributions to the life of the Centre.

There are also a number of grants and scholarships which are external to Dalhousie, some of which have application deadlines before the start of a new student’s first year in the graduate program. Students planning to apply to the MA and PhD programs in Political Science should consult with the Graduate Coordinator, as early as possible.

Opportunities for professional development and network-building

The Centre offers its support to all Dalhousie graduate students working on topics connected to its thematic focus (and other aspects of International Relations). It can provide advice and assistance to graduate students thinking about organizing conferences or other academic events, applying for grants, and/or undertaking research travel. Incoming graduate students are strongly encouraged to contact the Centre director—and also to make contact with more experienced grad students in the program—to talk about opportunities and resources available.

Doctoral students working on topics directly relevant to the Centre mandate, who have been in the program for at least one year, may be invited to be formally affiliated with the CSSD as doctoral fellows. Doctoral fellows are expected to contribute to the life of the Centre through participation in collaborative research and events, and benefit from mentorship and institutional support (e.g., help with applications and administration of grants, event planning, etc.).

At any given time, one of the doctoral fellows will serve as deputy director of the Centre. The deputy director’s responsibilities vary according to her/his background and interests, but generally involve direct collaboration with the director in strategic planning, grant applications, organization of events, and student outreach.

Prospective or current graduate students with questions about the Centre are encouraged to get in touch with the director, Leah Sarson (Leah.Sarson@dal.ca).