@karenlynnbird
Political science professor @ McMaster University. I study comparative politics, electoral systems, gender and ethnic representation | Self care: gardener, dog walker, downhill skier, vintage car and trailer aficionado.
Chinese Canadians are a large and important but underrepresented group, and face challenges related to diaspora politics and levels of engagement. Our findings speak to broader efforts to strengthen minority political engagement, specially through presence of minority candidates. 4/4
Interesting side note: Our study was in the field during heavy media coverage of China’s electoral interference in Canadian elections. Yet we find no evidence that perceived stigmatization of ethnically Chinese candidates might lead Chinese Canadians to disengage from electoral politics. 3/4
Yes – we find basic affinity effects, through a conjoint experimental design. We also examine variation in Chinese Canadian affinity, showing, among other things, that personal experiences and strong perceptions of anti-Chinese discrimination strengthen co-ethnic affinity effects. 2/4
New article out in @pgi-wpsa.bsky.social. We look at affinity attitudes, asking if Chinese Canadians become more politically engaged and interested when they see candidates of Chinese background running for office. 1/4
