The Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management at Carleton University is delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Curran as practitioner-in-residence for the 2018–19 academic year.
Ms. Curran is senior associate with Harper and Associates and a regular panellist on the CBC News Network program Power and Politics. She previously served in the office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper as director of policy and as director of personnel and administration. Before coming to Ottawa, she served as chief of staff to two provincial cabinet ministers in British Columbia. Ms. Curran holds a law degree from the University of Victoria.
The Riddell program offers Canada’s first graduate degree in applied politics. Twenty-five students are admitted each year to study Canadian political institutions, strategic communications, public opinion research, leadership, advocacy, policy, and campaigns. Graduates work for Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, senators, government relations firms, advocacy organizations, and business associations.
The position of practitioner-in-residence is held by a distinguished individual with extensive experience in Canadian politics. The previous practitioners-in-residence were media relations consultant Bill Fox (2015–16), public affairs specialist Rob Silver (2016–17), and communications expert William Stairs (2017–18). The practitioner-in-residence teaches two courses, mentors students, and organizes public events.
In 2018–19, the other courses in the program will be taught by communications consultants Barry McLoughlin and Laura Peck, lawyer and campaign strategist Guy Giorno, pollster David Coletto, and core faculty members Paul Wilson, Stephen Azzi, and André Turcotte. (The fourth core faculty member, Jennifer Robson, will be on sabbatical.)
For more information, contact Stephen Azzi, associate professor and program supervisor, Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management, stephen.azzi@carleton.ca.