Erin Tolley

Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race and Inclusive Politics Carleton University

  • Ottawa ON

Expert on race, gender and diversity in Canadian politics

Contact

Social

Biography

Erin Tolley is the Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race and Inclusive Politics. She is also an Associate Professor of Political Science and leads the Gender, Race, and Inclusive Politics Lab at Carleton University in Ottawa. Her research examines the impact of socio-demographic diversity on Canadian politics, and she has looked extensively at race and gender in politics. She is the award-winning author of Framed: Media and the Coverage of Race in Canadian Politics.

She provides media commentary for print, digital, and radio on the following topics:

- Diversity and Canadian political institutions, including parliament, political parties, and elections
- Political representation of women and other historically marginalization groups
- Media coverage of women and minorities in politics

Dr. Tolley's work has appeared in the Canadian Journal of Political Science, Electoral Studies, Politics & Gender, and other outlets; she has published more than three dozen peer-reviewed books and chapters, and is the co-editor of six books.

Areas of Expertise

Canadian Politics
Women in Politics
Diversity

Accomplishments

2017 Donald Smiley Prize

Awarded by the Canadian Political Science Association for the Best Book on Canadian Government or Politics

2023 Carleton University Research Achievement Award

Awarded annually to by Carleton University

2025 Excellence in Public Commentary Award

Awarded annually in the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs to a recipient who has shown excellence in media commentary and public outreach

Education

Queen's University

PhD

Political Science

University of Western Ontario

MA

Political Science

University of Saskatchewan

BA (High Honours)

Political Studies

Affiliations

  • Advisory Board, Federation of Canadian Municipalities Diverse Voices for Change

Media Appearances

"Attack ads"

Monocle Radio  radio

2015-09-26

Analysis segment with Steven Bloomfield and John Doyle

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Research Grants

"When Politicians Attack"

Social Science and Humanities Research Council

with Randy Besco

"How Much of Politics is Local?"

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

with Marc André Bodet, François Gelineau and Melanee Thomas