PhD student Philippe Boucher awarded two prestigious scholarships
We are pleased to share that PhD Student, Philippe Boucher has been awarded TWO prestigious scholarships: The Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholar, as well as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship!
You can read more below about Philippe’s PhD journey and research.
What lead you to pursue your PhD in Legal Studies at Carleton?
When I was completing my master’s degree in Criminology at Université de Montréal, I knew I wanted to pursue research with Indigenous communities. I became involved in research projects focusing on Indigenous people affected by incarceration and conjugal violence. During my graduate work, I met Innu and Naskapi men who had begun healing from trauma and were actively contributing to the revitalization of their cultures.
In parallel, I also wrote Gladue reports for criminal courts, helping ensure that the specific circumstances of Indigenous defendants were properly considered and that judges and lawyers were presented with culturally appropriate alternatives. I noticed a significant gap in research on the experiences of Indigenous people in judicial contexts. While their specific circumstances are supposed to be a key consideration, it is not clear how the courts are actually considering these factors and how they integrate Indigenous perspectives.
When I came across Jane Dickson’s research on Gladue reports and Indigenous justice, I reached out to her immediately. The interdisciplinary structure of the PhD program in Legal Studies at Carleton University aligned perfectly with my academic background in First Peoples Studies, Sociology, and Criminology.
Tell us about your research, and what you hope to gain out of it by the time you complete your degree?
My research focuses on documenting the experiences of Indigenous people in the court system and exploring Indigenous legal traditions to contribute to the transformation of criminal justice. The project aims to examine the dynamics at the itinerant court in northern Quebec. Typically, judges and lawyers travel to the community for a week at a time to hear cases, doing so a few times each year.
This research combines court observation with interviews involving accused persons, victims, and community members to understand their experiences within the Western justice system and with Indigenous justice practices. In parallel, I will engage with Elders, community members, and the local justice committee to document Indigenous legal traditions – such as traditional approaches to conflict resolution prior to settlement.
By bringing together these two perspectives, I aim to collaborate with the community in identifying pathways to improve the delivery of justice – ensuring that it is grounded in Indigenous values, practices, and worldviews.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
I encourage incoming students to study topics that genuinely interest them – something they’re passionate about and that drives them to go further. Academic life is challenging, which makes it all the more important to find something you truly enjoy studying. Beyond the classroom, I strongly encourage students to get involved – both within the university and in the broader community. Talk to your classmates and get to know each other. Most likely, they will become your future colleagues during your career. Learning mostly happens outside of formal education, through lived experience and meaningful engagement with diverse communities.
Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The academic journey includes opportunities like presenting at conferences and publishing research. It’s easy to feel intimidated – especially when impostor syndrome sets in – but don’t let it stand in your way. Get informed about scholarships, conferences, journals, and research groups. Seek advice and feedback, especially from those who have been there before you. Prepare in advance, apply and apply again. Remember: rejection is part of the process and it does not define you. We rarely talk about all the rejections behind the scenes, but they are just as much a part of success as the wins. Start small, take it one step at a time, and keep moving forward.
You can read more about Philippe’s Trudeau Award at the link below.