2016 Poster Prize
Winner: Chance Minnett Watchel
Private Delivery of Public Social Policy in Canada’s Most Socially Conservative Province: Explaining Gay and Lesbian Adoption Policy in Alberta
Photo: Chance Minnett Watchel (University of Calgary), Peter (Jay) Smith (Athabasca University – jury chair, and Yasmeen Abu-Laban (CPSA President 2016-2017), CPSA President’s Dinner, June 1 2016, Calgary Zoo Safari Lodge, Calgary
Excerpt from jury report: The jury felt this poster addressed a very important and intriguing question, “Why, despite Alberta’s reputation as the most socially conservative province, were gay and lesbians able to legally adopt children in 1999, in some cases years ahead of many other provinces” and in a province thought to be Canada’s most socially conservative? In addition to his succinct oral comments Minnett Watchel crafted a poster that used great economy of space, visual effectiveness and creativity to present his methodology, analysis, and findings which challenge previous research and point us in new directions.