Congratulations to Shawn Abela on a successful dissertation defence!
We are excited to share that Shawn Abela has successfully defended his PhD in Ethics and Public Affairs!
Supervised by Professor Christine Koggel, Abela’s thesis was titled, ‘Sexualized Violence in the Canadian Armed Forces’.
Congratulations Shawn!
Read his dissertation abstract below:
“This dissertation seeks to explore how policymakers and senior leadership within the
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) can more effectively combat issues of sexual violence
through ethical reasoning and institutional reform. To achieve this, I have conducted
qualitative research using semi-structured interviews with CAF personnel who are
professionally responsible for implementing those operations and processes aimed at
eliminating sexual violence. These interviews, with what can be described as frontline
workers who have direct contact with victims and survivors, have provided me with
critical insights into the challenges, barriers and also the opportunities for meaningful
policy and cultural change within the institution. My methodological approach uses these
interviews to prioritize ethical analysis in its application to institutional reform in and
through the integrated three article thesis format. Each article will address a specific
dimension of the research problem and speak to the following concerns: exploration of
the disconnect between policymakers and primary stakeholders – those victims and
survivors in the CAF; a frank examination of the problems resulting from poorly
implemented inclusivity efforts and the friction between institutional norms and pressures
resulting from a need for reformation in the CAF; and the need to reposition justice not as
formalized recognition of guilt, but as restoration and healing for victims and survivors.”