My name is Calum McCracken, and I am completing my Masters’s degree in Human Rights and Social Justice at Thompson Rivers University. The knowledge, mentorship, and experiences I have gained from this program have enriched my understanding of critical issues, and fostered and my passion for political theory. Through the support of this program, I also had the invaluable opportunity to complete my practicum at the British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI), where I consulted on best practices for consultation and engagement to aid their ongoing law reform efforts. As I look ahead to pursuing a PhD, I am keen to apply all that I have learned to contribute meaningfully to both academic and public discourse.
Prior to my time at TRU, I have had the opportunity to engage, in depth, in areas of research in Canadian public policy and international law, as well as partner in projects designed to engage the community in discussion. Upon completing my undergraduate degree in political science, I began a remote internship with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), a nonprofit NGO based in New Delhi, India. CHRI’s mission, guided by international conventions such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Commonwealth Harare Doctrine, was a significant starting point for my involvement with transnational justice frameworks. I began by documenting breaches of these conventions, compiling, editing, and distributing a daily newsletter for broader distribution. This role required me to work collaboratively with my team, meet deadlines, and manage large volumes of real-time data. Over time, I expanded my scope to cover Universal Periodic Reviews organized by the United Nations, honing my skills in data analysis, organization, and resource management across interdependent organizations.
After my tenure with CHRI, I had the privilege of conducting research with professor David Goa, former Director of the Chester Ronning Center at the university of Alberta. This research focused on religious pluralism in political and public life, examining Quebec’s Bill 62 and Bill 21 on the secularism of the state. The work was rigorous and stimulated my interest in the intersections of citizenship, multiculturalism, religion, and public policy. I had the pleasure to work with David Goa once again in our research on Christian nationalism, tracing the implications of a political ideology that aims to merge Christian beliefs and symbols with national identity and public policy. As a knowledge mobilization strategy of this research, we have produced a podcast discussing the implications of this evolving movement.
As I continue to pursue my passion for research, advocacy, and education, I am committed to applying these lessons in meaningful ways. Whether working on local projects or contributing to global conversations, I aim to play a part.
Image Credit
Photo Credit: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash