Institute of Political Economy

About the Institute

Your Future Starts Here: The Institute of Political Economy at Carleton University is the only graduate program of its kind in Canada.

Discover our Programs

The Institute offers two programs.

Admission is competitive. Each year, the Institute attracts a small but outstanding cohort of students to our MA program from other Canadian universities and from abroad. We also partner with nine other Carleton departments in offering a collaborative PhD program. More information about graduate degrees is here:

MA Political Economy

The only degree program of its kind in Canada, will provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of power and the (re)production of social relations in contemporary societies.

Collaborative PhD

Designed for Carleton University doctoral students in participating programs in the Faculties of Arts and Social Science and Public Affairs.

See what Political Economy is and Hear from current students:

MA Political Economy

Graduate Student, Sarah Young

Graduate Student, Lauren O’Reilly

Alumna, Josée Lalonde

Have a question for a current PECO student?

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Research and Faculty

Seeing New Perspectives with Political Economy

Meet Dr. Randall Germain

Get to know one of our core IPE Professors for 2025-2026

Meet Jane Stinson

Learn more about our Work and Labour program

Placement in Political Economy

Learn about our placement opportunities from graduates of IPE.

Upcoming Events

Sep 18

Tips, Tasks, and Gigs in the Age of Service Work

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Hybrid Event

Recent News

Inside Canada’s Conservative identity crisis by: Haniel Sorensen

As Carney’s Liberals adopt a raft of right-wing policies, the country’s largest Conservative gathering shows the party’s activists are turning to more reactionary approaches on …

As post-secondary cuts continue, government underfunding is to blame by: Isabel Ojeda

April 15 2026 Across the country, Canada’s post-secondary education (PSE) system is in crisis. Read full article here: As post-secondary cuts continue, government underfunding is …

“Critical minerals” strategy is going down a cynical road by: Alexander Ezquerra

As the U.S. and China compete for control of strategic minerals and technology, Canada should prioritize climate action over geopolitics. Read the full artical here: …

Mexico’s CUSMA consultations show alignments with Canadaby: Alexander Ezquerra

Business overwhelmingly backs the trade pact but with tensions related to tariffs, dispute panels, labour enforcement and Asian imports Read the full article here: Mexico’s …

Haniel Sorensen Publishes in Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)

The Institute of Political Economy is proud to highlight the recent publication by current graduate student Haniel Sorensen, whose article A history of the “parental rights …

Haniel Sorensen Publishes in Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)

The Institute of Political Economy is proud to highlight the recent publication by current graduate student Haniel Sorensen, whose article “I am become woke, destroyer of …