Emmett Macfarlane

Emmett Macfarlane is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Macfarlane earned his BA at the University of Western Ontario (2003) and his MA (2005) and PhD (2009) at Queen’s University. From 2009-11 he undertook a SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship as an Associate of the Canada Program at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (2009-10) and a Visiting Researcher at Harvard Law School (2010-11). Dr. Macfarlane’s research has focused on judicial decision making and behaviour on the Supreme Court of Canada. This research has culminated in a book manuscript accepted for publication by UBC Press titled Governing from the Bench: The Judicial Role and the Supreme Court of Canada. He has also published on political discourse and media coverage surrounding the Charter of Rights. His current research examines the policy impact that results from legislative and judicial interactions over Charter issues. The research examines federal, provincial and municipal responses to court rulings on rights and explores the implications these interactions have for policy change, governance and institutional relationships. Case study research connected to this project investigates, for example, the dispute over the safe injection site in Vancouver, BC. Another project also examines Canadian security policy since 9/11 under the Charter. Dr. Macfarlane teaches a range of courses on Canadian politics and public policy.