David J Kahane

David J Kahane serves as Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts, where he bridges political theory with climate action through systems-oriented research and innovative teaching practices.

His educational foundation includes a BA from Concordia University, MA from McGill University, and PhD from the University of Cambridge.

Kahane's research examines climate change through interconnected lenses of systems theory, democratic participation, and emotional dimensions. He investigates how citizen deliberation processes function within complex power structures, particularly analyzing climate policy interventions. His work uniquely integrates contemplative practices with political theory, exploring anarchism, Marxism, and prefigurative politics in climate contexts. Current projects focus on applying systemic design to public participation challenges.

Publication themes reveal consistent integration of care ethics with climate systems analysis, emphasizing emotional dimensions in policy engagement and classroom applications. His scholarship connects theoretical political frameworks with practical community interventions.

Scientific recognition includes:

• 3M Teaching Fellowship
• Alan Blizzard Award for Collaborative Projects
• Rutherford Award for Undergraduate Teaching
• Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision
• Teaching Unit Award
• Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Teaching Award

As Principal Investigator of the $1 million SSHRC-funded Alberta Climate Dialogue (2010-2016), Kahane directed a major community-university partnership convening citizens on climate policy. His graduate supervision excellence is formally recognized through university awards, though specific advisee names aren't documented. Current teaching grants focus on contemplative pedagogy applications.

Kahane leads the Alberta Climate Dialogue project team, which pioneered citizen engagement methodologies for climate policy development. His current lab work integrates permaculture principles with academic research through personal practice, modeling systems thinking in daily life.