Louise Cockram

I recently defended my PhD dissertation at Carleton University. My dissertation looks at the orientation for newly elected MPs in Canada and the UK. Through my doctoral research I have found that the House does not provide prescriptive guidance to new members during its orientation (given the ill-defined role of an MP). The lack of prescriptive guidance from the House means that MPs rely on their parties, past career/political experience and learning on the job to get to grips with the role.

In addition to my dissertation work, I have contributed a chapter to a forthcoming volume on #metoo and Canadian politics on the anti-harassment training that Canadian and UK MPs go through in order to curb sexual misconduct in the Canadian and UK Houses of Commons. The volume will be published by the University of Toronto Press by the end of this year.