معرفی
Kate Puddister is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Guelph, contributing to the Criminal Justice and Public Policy (CCJP) and Justice and Legal Studies (JLS) programs. Her research focuses on law and politics, criminal justice policy, policing, sentencing reform, and Canadian constitutional dynamics. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from McGill University and prior degrees from the University of Guelph in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Dr. Puddister has been a visiting fellow at McGill University's Institute for the Study of Canada (2022).
Her work examines police accountability mechanisms, the Canadian reference power, and digital-age challenges to judicial transparency. Key projects include SSHRC-funded research on Ontario's Special Investigations Unit and co-authored studies on Charter rights and sentencing policy. She teaches courses on criminal justice policy, judicial processes, and federalism.
- Education: B.A.(Hons) & M.A. (Criminal Justice/Public Policy) from University of Guelph; Ph.D. (Political Science) from McGill University
- Recent Projects: Canadian Courts in the Digital Age (with Tamara Small), Canadian Sentencing Policy, and Police Oversight in Ontario
- Media Contributions: Regular commentator on law/police accountability for CBC, Globe and Mail, and others
Her publications emphasize empirical analysis of legal institutions, with 2020-2024 work focusing on police misconduct investigations, sentencing reform, and digital court adaptations during the pandemic. Awards include SSHRC funding for her police oversight research.
