![\"\"](\"http:\/\/carleton.ca\/panorama\/wp-content\/uploads\/Graham.jpg\" "\\"Graham\\"")
In all parts of the world, including Canada, gender inequalities have prevented societies from achieving prosperity, fairness and opportunity. Not only is the study of gender an important area of common interest across the academic units in the Faculty of Public Affairs, but the growing number of women leaders in the Faculty itself demonstrates important gender-equality gains in our own institution.<\/p>\n
This issue of Panorama profiles the work of an impressive array of Faculty colleagues who are pushing their work into new frontiers. In particular, I\u2019m proud that among our many researchers who examine the impact of gender on public policy\u2014and the impact public policy and communications have on gender\u2014is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of gender and politics: Jill Vickers. Professor Vickers once worked alone, but this field is booming now, and her work is central to its forward trajectory.<\/p>\n
Another senior academic in the Faculty, Rianne Mahon, is co-chair of a remarkable joint effort between Carleton and the University of Ottawa to bring 3,000 scholars, policy-makers, business leaders and civil society activists to Ottawa in 2011 for the Women\u2019s Worlds Congress. Our Faculty is pleased to be part of this initiative that will help build the capacity of women\u2019s networks across Canada and around the world to advance policy change in HIV\/AIDS, health, livelihoods, human rights and other important areas.<\/p>\n
At every level\u2014local, national, global\u2014engaged scholars in the Faculty are working on more nuanced analyses of gender in interaction with an ever richer constellation of issues and interests. The Faculty has become a place and space that encourages inquiry and debate on the theory and practice of changing gender images and realities.<\/p>\n
While the study of gender and policy has been deepening and broadening, the leadership role of women in the Faculty has increased substantially. In fact, as we head into the new academic year, an unprecedented 60 per cent of our academic departments and institutes will be led by women. And this new leadership cohort begins its mandate at the same time as Carleton\u2019s new president, Roseann Runte, assumes her post.<\/p>\n
These and other developments reflect the progress made by advocates of gender equality in the academy, who have been working for decades on this issue. Moreover, the learners who enroll in our programs are increasingly women; indeed, women now account for nearly 60 per cent of all students in the Faculty.<\/p>\n
More importantly, perhaps, universities are institutions looked to by citizens to help society understand\u2014and then help solve\u2014complex, often global problems. Mobilizing the perspectives, talents and networks of the widest group of leaders possible is the only way to generate the most innovative, precise and useful knowledge. This can\u2019t be done without both genders participating fully.<\/p>\n
This edition of Panorama profiles the far-reaching, imaginative and dedicated efforts of faculty members who are leaders in their fields and in the Faculty of Public Affairs. As usual, we only have space enough to present a sample of our remarkable professors, alumni and students.<\/p>\n
I hope you are as inspired by these stories as we are.<\/p>\n
Katherine Graham
\nDean, Faculty of Public Affairs<\/p>\n