The Kontak Prize in Public Policy

The Kontak Prize in Political Science

An Essay Competition for Political Science Students

Prize Value: $500.00

See the winners

The Kontak Prize is an award of distinction for the best Political Science essay [at a 300 or 400 level] by a senior student. It is awarded annually and commemorates the distinguished academic career of Professor Walter Kontak who for many years served as Head of the Department of Political Science

Papers may be nominated by any Professor or by a student who is enrolled in the Major, Advanced Major or Honours programme in Political Science. Papers should be of a First Class ("A") Standard.

A clean copy (i.e. original printing) of the paper should be submitted. In length, papers should fall in the 10-15, double-spaced page range.

The papers will be judged by a panel of two Faculty members, to be nominated by the Chairs of the Department.

Submit Papers to:

Chair, Department of Political Science

St. Francis Xavier University Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5
Submissions are due BY the last day of classes

Some previous winners...

Pat Connors (centre) was the winner of the 2008 Kontak Prize in Political Science for his paper "Finding a Compromise: The History and Politics of Multilateral Agreements on Investment Negotiations." Pictured with Pat are Drs. Jim Bickerton (left) and Peter Clancy (right).

Winner of the 2005 Kontak Prize in Political Science is Mr. Christopher Kucera (left) for his paper "Aboriginal Electoral Participation: The Absent Voice". Pictured with Christopher is Dr. James Bickerton (right).

Winner of the 2004 Kontak Prize in Political Science is Mr. Ian Yap, B.A., pictured with another 2004 graduate and winnder of the Dr. Marguerite Michaud Prize in Canadian Studies, Ms. Kelsey Sitar. Mr. Yap won the Kontak Prize for his paper " Aboriginal Rights and Forest Policy-Making in New Brunswick: The 'Punishing Recoil of Business'".

Out-going Departmental Chair, Dr. James Bickerton (right), presents Mr. Clark Banack with the 2003 Kontak Prize in Political Science, after graduation in May 2003.

Mr. Banack won the 2003 Kontak Prize for his paper "Social Credit, Reform-Alliance and the End of Politics: The Contradictions of Right-Wing Populism in Canada."

Ms. Mary Alexis Fisher (centre), is seen here after the graduation ceremony with the 2002 Kontak Prize in Political Science. Beside Mary is her thesis advisor, Dr. Peter Clancy (left) and department chair, Dr. James Bickerton (right).

Ms. Fisher won the 2002 Kontak Prize for her paper "Abortion and the Law in Canada: The Morgentaler and Borowski Saga."

Ms. Diana Doyle is seen here with the 2001 Kontak Prize in Public Policy. She was presented the award at the graduation ceremony by the Department of Political Science chair, Dr. James Bickerton (right) and her thesis supervisior, Dr. Rod Haddow (left).

Ms. Doyle won the 2001 Kontak Prize for her paper "An Exploration of a Trade Adjustment Mechanism in Canada."

Previous winners: (sorry, we don't have their pictures)

1995

Catherine Elizabeth Anne MacNeil, B.A. (Major): “Queen v. Drybones”

1996

Kellie Frances Walsh, B.A. (Adv. Major): Day Care in Canada: The Current Crisis

1997

Christopher Robert Quigley, B.A. (Honours): “The Mohawk Crisis of the Summer of 1990: A Case Study Analysing its Origins and Effects Related in Public Policy”

1998

Christopher Donald Lucas, B.B.A. (Major)

1999

Nathan Jon Shubael Gorham, B.A. (Honours)

2000

Adam Slade, B.A. (Honours): “Investing in Education: Does it Pay?”

Home