Dr. Cristine de Clercy, one of Canada’s foremost experts on the study of political leadership, is Trent University’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair, part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration across five Canadian universities.
Dr. de Clercy completed a B.A. (Hons) in 1991 and a M.A. in 1992 at the University of Saskatchewan. She taught at the University of Saskatchewan in the Department of Political Studies as an Assistant Professor from 1998-2005 and was promoted in 2006. Also, there she served as an Adjunct Professor from 2006-2011.
In 2000, Dr. de Clercy received her Ph.D. from The University of Western Ontario, and was a Research Fellow with the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives in Saskatchewan from 2000-2006. She taught in the Department of Political Science at The University of Western Ontario (UWO) as an Associate Professor from 2006-2023, and was cross-appointed to the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies from 2017-2023. Since 1996 she has held several specific research roles, including Research Associate for the Institute for Public Economics at the University of Alberta (1997-1998), Centre Scholar for the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives at the University of Saskatchewan (2012-2015), and Director of the Leadership and Democracy Lab at UWO (2012-2023).
Dr. de Clercy’s academic career of over 20 years involves remarkable research publications that have involved millions in grant funding. Her research focuses on leader-follower relationships influenced by information and power dynamics. As well, she studies election law, parties, federalism, women’s political participation, and Canadian politics. She has published articles in many outlets including Leadership Quarterly, Politics and Governance, the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, Canadian Public Policy, the Journal of Canadian Studies and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Two recent publications are: “The Relationships Among Character, Identification-Based Trust, and Perceptions of Effectiveness in Political Leadership During the COVID-19 Pandemic” (Seijts, de Clercy, Miller, Journal of Applied Behavioural Science, 2022); and “The Recruitment of Star Candidates in Local Election Campaigns” in Marland and Giasson (eds.) Inside the Local Campaign (UBC Press, 2022). Her new book is titled Trafficking in Uncertainty: How Leaders Move Citizens Toward Deep Change (McGill-Queen’s University Press, forthcoming). As well, beyond the academy Dr. de Clercy has appeared before government committees as an expert witness, as well as provided political analysis and commentary for many international and national media outlets.
Dr. de Clercy is honoured to serve as the inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at Trent University, and to initiate a program of scholarship and community awareness that will expand knowledge and training in the ethical practice of politics, fiduciary responsibility and democratic governance. She knows her work with students, Trent colleagues, the four other chairholders, media, and community will deepen our knowledge of trust and political leadership.
Dr. de Clercy previously taught at Western University in the Department of Political Science and specializes in political leadership, Canadian politics, and political economy.
POST 3850H is the flagship course in leadership studies that reflects Professor de Clercy’s specialization in political leadership. It also serves as the anchor course in the new Option in Leadership. It should also be noted that this professor is a trailblazer in this area of research., and she speaks a lot to the media on any issue that relates to political leadership. This class is designed to be an experiential learning environment. In fact, it is organized to be like a think-tank, giving students an opportunity to work collectively on projects with real tangible outputs.
Office: Champlain College I4, phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6201
Research Office: Champlain College G3, phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6202
Email: cristinedeclercy@trentu.ca