Brendan Dell
Doctoral Student
He/Him
Political Studies
MA Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy (University of Guelph) | BAH Criminal Justice and Public Policy
Doctoral Student
Mackintosh-Corry Hall, B300
Co-supervisors: Stéphanie Chouinard and Paul Gardner
Research Interests
Canadian politics, courts, law and politics, federalism, constitutional law, rights, policymaking, criminal justice
Brief Biography
Brendan Dell is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University working under the co-supervision of Dr. Stéphanie Chouinard and Dr. Paul Gardner. He received both his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy and master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy from the University of Guelph.
Brendan's research focuses broadly on Canadian law and politics. Specifically, his research explores the relationship between the government and the judiciary on constitutional issues (such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms). His dissertation explores the strategic use of courts by provincial governments in constitutional cases.
Awards and scholarships
- 2023 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (Queen's University)
- 2021 SSHRC Canadian Graduate Scholarship - Master's (University of Guelph)
- 2020 John F. Melby Thesis Prize (University of Guelph)
- Awarded for highest Honours thesis grade in the Department of Political Science
- 2020 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (University of Guelph)
Selected Publications
Dell, Brendan, “Return to Smith: Canadian Courts’ Treatment of Harper-Era Mandatory Minimum Sentences (2008-2023)” Manuscript accepted by Ottawa Law Review (forthcoming).
Dell, Brendan, "The Use of Former Supreme Court Justices by Governments: Assessing the Dangers" in Morton, F.L., and Dave Snow (eds.) Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process in Canada. 5th edition. Calgary: University of Calgary Press (forthcoming).
Dell, Brendan and Kate Puddister, "Consequences of Weak Parliamentary Rights Review: A Study of Harper-Era Mandatory Minimum Sentences" in Macfarlane, Emmett (ed.). Rights and Institutional Relationships. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (forthcoming).
Dell, Brendan and Mark Harding, "A culture of rights or governing like judges? Assessing the Justin Trudeau government's use of Charter Statements" in Macfarlane, Emmett (ed.). Rights and Institutional Relationships. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (forthcoming).