Dr. Cristine de Clercy, one of Canada’s foremost experts in the study of political leadership, is Trent University’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair, part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration across five Canadian universities. She is Professor of Political Studies and Director of the Trent Leadership and Democracy Lab.
She was honoured to serve in 2023-2024 as the inaugural Chair of the Network of Jarislowsky Chairs in Trust and Political Leadership.
Contact Information
Office: Champlain College I4, phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6201
Research Office: Champlain College G3, phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6202
Email: cristinedeclercy@trentu.ca
Dr. de Clercy supports democratic public dialogue and analysis by contributing media comments on key issues and events within her areas of expertise: political leadership, Canadian politics, provincial politics, election law, federalism, and women and politics.
She has served as a political analyst for regional, national and international media outlets including CBC, CTV, Bloomberg News Service, Al Jazeera, Canadian Press Newswire, Maclean’s magazine, Reuters, The London Free Press, The Hill Times, NBC News, and the Globe and Mail.
Media headshots:
At Leadership & Democracy Lab, we conduct research in a wide variety of fields, including climate change, renewable energy, public health, and artificial intelligence. We are committed to tackling some of the most pervasive issues facing our world today, and we believe that our work can make a real difference.
Trent University's cutting-edge facilities, including advanced laboratories, specialized equipment, and state-of-the-art computer systems, empower innovative research across diverse disciplines, fostering a dynamic environment for groundbreaking projects.
We are committed to sharing the results of our research with the wider community. Our researchers regularly publish their findings in leading academic journals, and we also produce a range of reports and other publications that are available to the public.
Dr. de Clercy completed a B.A. (Hons) and a M.A. at the University of Saskatchewan. In 2000, Dr. de Clercy received her Ph.D in Political Science from The University of Western Ontario. She taught at the University of Saskatchewan in the Department of Political Studies as an Assistant Professor from 1998-2005 and was a Research Fellow with the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives in Saskatchewan from 2000-2006.
She then joined the Department of Political Science at The University of Western Ontario (UWO) as an Associate Professor from 2006-2023, and was cross-appointed to the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies from 2017-2023. She has held several specific research roles, including Research Associate for the Institute for Public Economics at the University of Alberta (1997-1998), Centre Scholar with the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives at the University of Saskatchewan (2012-2015), and Director of the Leadership and Democracy Lab at UWO (2012-2023).
Dr. de Clercy’s academic career of over 20 years involves remarkable research publications that have involved millions in grant funding. Her research focuses on leader-follower relationships influenced by information and power dynamics. As well, she studies election law, parties, federalism, women’s political participation, and Canadian politics. She has published articles in many outlets including Leadership Quarterly, Politics and Governance, the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, Canadian Public Policy, the Journal of Canadian Studies and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Two recent publications are: “The Relationships Among Character, Identification-Based Trust, and Perceptions of Effectiveness in Political Leadership During the COVID-19 Pandemic” (Seijts, de Clercy, Miller, Journal of Applied Behavioural Science, 2022); and “The Recruitment of Star Candidates in Local Election Campaigns” in Marland and Giasson (eds.) Inside the Local Campaign (UBC Press, 2022). Her new book is titled Trafficking in Uncertainty: How Leaders Move Citizens Toward Deep Change. As well, beyond the academy Professor de Clercy has appeared before government committees as an expert witness, as well as provided political analysis and commentary for many international and national media outlets.
Dr. de Clercy is honoured to serve as the inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at Trent University, and to initiate a program of scholarship and community awareness that will expand knowledge and training in the ethical practice of politics, fiduciary responsibility and democratic governance. She knows her work with students, Trent colleagues, the four other chairholders, media, and community will deepen our knowledge of trust and political leadership.