November 29, 2010

Help us improve

By Alison Loat

We are looking for feedback on how we can better present our MP exit interview material, and ideas on how we can share it with more Canadians. We strive to present this extremely multi-faceted data with you in an accessible, enjoyable and provocative way in order to advance our mission of strengthening Canada's democracy and encouraging others to do the same.

Thus far, this has largely been through magazine-style reports, podcasts and through media discussion and a feature interview.  We have also presented at several conferences, with a particular focus on educators of high school, college and university students.

We'd love your feedback on how you think we're doing, what we could be doing better, and any ideas you have on how to make this more interesting and relevant for more Canadians. Please include any ideas below, or contact us directly.  Thank you.

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ipoliticseh

December 3, 2010 19:45 PM

Your research is basic science.  The raw anecdotal findings can support many other types of research.  Therefore it would be a good idea to invite other researchers to use your data and present it to public with their spin around it.  For instance, you chose to present "Welcome to Parliament" with no indication of the gender of responders.  You could approach a feminist researcher with the raw data and ask for their interpretations of how the responses relate to gender issues.  These findings would enrich your org's future enquiries and provide inspiration for new avenues for messaging.  Why?  Your research points to the fact that men are not 'invited' into politics.  Yet why do they feel more empowered than women to enter the race?  While your research doesn't go deeper into gender it could be used to EXCLUDE gender inquiry.  So deepening the perspectives around your research would be a good first step to open new creative avenues for you.

Alison Loat

December 3, 2010 19:51 PM

Hi ipoliticseh,

Thank you for your suggestion.  We have worked extensively with academics at many universities as well as Equal Voice (and several other NGOs) in developing and executing this project.  You're right that there is a great trove of data many can use, so we were sure to gain the MPs' permission to donate the transcripts to the Archives so they can be used for researchers and others well into the future.

Already we have spoken to several PhD students (two with a focus on women in politics) who are interested in using our data, and have signed data sharing agreements with one.  I'd imagine we'll hear from others as the project becomes better know.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Alison

ipoliticseh

December 3, 2010 20:57 PM

That's incouraging but also disheartening in the sense that many PhD candidates in Canada are bereft of the skills to analyse gender skew due to the persistent and pervavise sexist framing of basic science in Canadian Universities.  I encourage you to take a Global approach to finding research partners as our problems in Canada are so entrenched that outside perspectives are needed to complete the view.

Thanks for you reply.

Karen

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