Stephanie Paterson

Dr. Stephanie Paterson is a Professor of Political Science at Concordia University, specializing in feminist policy studies and public policy analysis. She holds a PhD in Public Policy from Carleton University, with expertise in feminist governance, gender mainstreaming, and reproductive politics. Her research focuses on the intersection of feminist knowledge, state policies, and social equity, particularly through SSHRC-funded projects examining gender-based analysis (GBA+) and the transition to motherhood.

Her teaching portfolio includes courses on policy theory, feminist policy studies, and Canadian public policy. She serves on the editorial advisory boards of Policy & Politics and Critical Policy Studies. Recent work investigates emotional discourses in policymaking, the lived effects of maternity policies, and transformative approaches to public policy through empathy and care.

Paterson’s research has addressed topics such as midwifery debates in Ontario, anti-smoking policy framing, and the impact of neoliberal governance on young women. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges policy analysis with feminist theory to critique and reimagine equitable governance frameworks.