Brock University researcher Kate Bezanson has been seconded to serve as a special advisor on gender, rights, and social, economic and legal issues to the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.

Bezanson will take a leave from her role as Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology to complete the secondment, which began Sept. 6.

Over the past few years, Bezanson has become a familiar face and voice to many beyond the Brock community through her public discussion of her policy research, some of which was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and initially outlined in the 2020 report, “From Stabilization to Stimulus and Beyond: A Roadmap to Social and Economic Recovery.” Since the report’s release, national and international outlets have frequently sought Bezanson’s commentary and insight on the evolving policy landscape around gender, public policy, federalism and care work.

Bezanson, who holds a PhD from York University and an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School, has previously served as an appointee of the Attorney General of Canada to the federal Judicial Advisory Committee for Ontario South and West and has provided policy advice to governments at all levels, striving to bridge the gap between academic research and practicable policy approaches.

It’s a mission that Dean Ingrid Makus in the Faculty of Social Sciences heartily endorses.

“Dr. Bezanson’s timely research in the crucial areas of gender, care and policy has been widely recognized,” says Makus. “We in the Faculty are thrilled to see her share her expertise, as well as her practical experience with child care and other policies, with the Office of the Prime Minister.”

Bezanson says it is “the privilege and honour of a lifetime to serve Canadians” and she is grateful for the University’s support of her new undertaking.

“I am deeply appreciative of Brock for supporting me to take a leave of absence to undertake this role,” she says. “I am also profoundly grateful to tremendous colleagues throughout our wonderful University with whom I have had the sincere pleasure to work, and in particular to the team of remarkable people in the Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s Office.”