Travis Reynolds, PhD candidate at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) University of Saskatchewan campus has been awarded a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), totaling $105,000 over three years, to further his work on accountability, behaviour and trust in the public sector. Announced yesterday by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), this funding is part of a $167 million investment by the Government of Canada to support social sciences and humanities researchers at postsecondary institutions across the country. The announcement was held at the launch of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, taking place at the University of Victoria.
Through his research, Reynolds will examine how requirements for accountability grow as trust in the government wanes, what factors intensify public demands that accounts be given, and why some people are required to meet specific goals whereas others are free to produce any outcome, as long as they play by the rules. “My research is particularly relevant to public policy, given that accountability has become symbolic of modern governance,” says Reynolds. “By better understanding what shapes the need to hold others to account, governance structures may utilize accountability in more legitimate and satisfactory ways.”
"Accountability is the issue of the day," says Michael Atkinson, executive director of the JSGS. "Since more accountability does not always lead to better decisions, Travis’ research is critical in understanding the impact of accountability on the behaviour of politicians, civil servants and citizens, and on the trust that is extended to them.”
In addition to his studies, Reynolds is a co-founder and current co-executive director of the JSGS U of S campus’ Policy Shop, a student-run consulting group that provides pro bono policy services to non-profit and charitable organizations.
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For more information, contact:
Erica Schindel, Communications and Marketing Specialist
Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
University of Saskatchewan campus
Phone: 306-966-2663