The Behavioural Political Economy Group
Members of our group work on a wide variety of projects broadly in the area of political economy and behaviour using experimental methods. Some of us have our formal home in the politics department, some in psychology and others in economics, computer science or statistics. We get together weekly to workshop projects, designs and to discuss research. And we host a visiting speaker series — when there isn't a global pandemic.
Amy Farrow
I am currently a master’s student at the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, studying Human-Centred Data Science. Previously, I studied sociology and math. My interests are in data literacy, R, ethical data science, and data-driven policy development. In addition to working as an RA, I volunteer with the Toronto Data Workshop and my program’s Accessibility Interests Working Group. In my free time, I’m usually hanging out with my cat and reading.
Jeremy Wright
I am in the second year of my M.A. at Toronto Metropolitan University and have recently joined Dr. Rubenson’s research group. I completed my B.A. with Honour’s in psychology and political studies at Vancouver Island University in 2020. While studying for my undergraduate degree, I was an RA in the Environmental Psychology Research Lab for 2 years. As an RA I published a paper with my supervisor, Dr. Lindsay McCunn, on the perceived improvement of a circadian lighting system renovation in a hospital pharmacy. I won the competitive VIU REACH Award for my undergraduate Honour’s thesis that explored the relationship between one’s study location (near/away from windows) and the perceived effect it had on the quality of information retention.
David Sumantry
I'm a PhD student studying social and political Psychology at Ryerson. My Master’s research investigated prejudice toward people with foreign accents, and my dissertation will study predictors of political polarization and methods of reducing hatred across the political divide.
Broadly, I specialize in applying quantitative methods to social science, whether it be power analyses, multilevel modeling, structural equation modeling, or computational text analysis.
I also own a statistical consulting company Sumantry Data and Statistics. For fun, I love board games, building computers, baking, and improving my French.
Iva Srbinovska
Hi, I’m Iva. Nice to meet you! I began my journey with political science while studying a BA in Politics and Governance at Ryerson University. Upon completing my degree, I was inspired to continue on to a Master’s degree in Comparative and International Studies at ETH Zürich. My research interests are political violence, migration, political behaviour, elections and voting. Outside of academia, I’m an avid sci-fi and rock ’n roll fan who enjoys travelling with a book and relaxing with a beer.
Kristina Kisin
My name is Kristina and I am a 4th year Politics and Governance student at Toronto Metropolitan University. I am also the Program Manager and Research Coordinator at ProudPolitics Canada. In the past, I have worked in public service, the non-profit sector, and with the United Nations. My main research interests include political engagement, voting behaviour, and social injustice. A fun fact about me is that I've voted in every municipal, provincial, and federal election since I turned 18.
.jpg)
Dilara Bektaş
Hello! I am a Juris Doctor candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, and a recent graduate of the Politics & Governance program at Toronto Metropolitan University. I am also a researcher with the Women, Peace, and Security Network at McGill University, and the Osgoode International Law Society. My research interests fall broadly in the overlapping of law, criminalization (particularly, criminal procedure), and political science.
Viktor Kololyuk
Hi, my name is Viktor! I'm a third-year undergraduate Computer Science student at Ryerson University and I am interested in software architecture, project management, and team and community building. I love to solve challenges and to empower others to have their voices heard and to reach their goals. During my free time you might find me experimenting with Linux systems and networks, reading a book, or going on biking expeditions.
Alumni
Amber Hey-Yon Lee
I'm a postdoctoral fellow with C-Dem. I have recently completed a joint PhD in Communication and Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
My research interests are in American public opinion, political communication, and political psychology, with a focus on polarization and social identity.
My work has been published in the American Political Science Review, Political Communication, Political Behavior, and Computers in Human Behavior.
John McAndrews
João Pacheco
I am currently a student in Ryerson’s undergrad program of Economics and Management Science. Before Ryerson, I was studying business administration at George Brown College. I am a big football fan who also enjoys politics and economics. Working on projects that combine all three is a perfect opportunity.
I'm an adjunct professor in the Department of Politics at Ryerson University and a postdoctoral fellow and managing director of the Policy, Elections, and Representation Lab (PEARL) in the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. I earned my PhD at the University of British Columbia.
My latest project — funded through a two-year SSHRC Insight Development Grant — uses a series of original survey experiments to explore the impact of role models on the political engagement of under-represented groups in Canada.
My work has been published in Legislative Studies Quarterly, Parliamentary Affairs, the Journal of Experimental Political Science, Political Research Quarterly, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science.
Lily Gostovic
I'm a hard working computer science student at McGill University with an interest in web development and a passion for learning new skills. I also enjoy skiing and playing rugby in my spare time.
Annie Maulucci
Jonah Davids
I am an undergraduate student in my third year of Politics and Governance at Ryerson with a minor in Economics. My research interests include political economy and how the market and state interact, especially in the context of global development. I currently work as an Executive Assistant at a startup company that builds smart communities. In my free time, I enjoy fitness and spending time with my dog and horse.
I am a psychology graduate student at the University of Amsterdam, having recently completed my undergraduate studies at Ryerson. I work as a Research Assistant with the Behavioural Political Economy group with Professor Rubenson and I also volunteer in the Social and Political Psychology lab in the Ryerson Psych Department, with Professor Becky Choma. My research interests include political psychology, populism, social issues, and ideology.
Natassja Bilinski
I'm a Master student in the Public Policy and Administration program, focussing on citizen-oriented governance. I recently graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours Political Science and Legal Studies degree. My research interests include topics relating to citizen-oriented governance and democratic engagement practices in policy making, biopolitics, political economy, and Canadian political culture. A fun fact about me is that my second language is Mandarin-Chinese, which I learned while living in Taiwan as a Rotary International Canadian Ambassador.
Maha Shah
I am currently a graduate candidate for master’s in Public Policy and Administration at Ryerson University. I previously graduated from University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science. My research interests lie within study of human rights advocacy at the global level, with a specific focus on international development policy. Apart from my professional interests, in my free time I avidly read comic books and enjoy crossword puzzles.