Carleton University PhD Student Named 2025 Trudeau Foundation Scholar
By Ellen Tsaprailis
Photo by Bryan Gagnon
Carleton University Legal Studies doctoral student Philippe Boucher has been named a 2025 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar.
Boucher won one of 16 spots out of more than 680 candidates who applied for the sought-after scholarship. The program honours exceptional doctoral candidates in the social sciences and humanities whose research advances one of four key themes: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada’s role on the global stage, and the relationship between people and their natural environment. The scholarship will provide funding for three years but is unique as it also provides a leadership training program.
“It is an honour to receive the Trudeau Foundation Scholarship,” says Boucher. “I received the call while I was in the community I am working with—which is the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach in northern Québec—just before going to court to give support to community members. I was really honoured because it is such a big scholarship and can get my research to the next level.”
Improving Criminal Justice for Indigenous Peoples
Boucher impressed the selection committee with his research project titled, Decolonizing Justice? Indigenous Healing, Exclusion, and Ambivalence in Canada’s Criminal Courts.
By focusing on Indigenous legal traditions and the experience of Indigenous Peoples in court, Boucher is hoping to cull the data into policy recommendations.
“The goal of my research is to document the experience of Indigenous Peoples in criminal court to find ways to improve criminal justice and make sure it reflects more Indigenous legal traditions,” says Boucher. “We don’t know much about how criminal justice happens in Indigenous communities. My research is to shed light on what is being done, what are the local initiatives and how things can be improved.”
The Trudeau Foundation offers a unique type of scholarship in that it also offers the recipient events and networking opportunities with mentors and alumni. Designed to provide leadership mentoring, in addition to funding his research, Boucher is excited by the networking opportunities being a scholar provides.
“Sharing my research with other scholars and mentors will help me learn how to be a better researcher,” says Boucher. “It also allows me to widen my network and meet with people from diverse backgrounds.”
Eight mentors were selected this year and Boucher is looking forward to connecting.
“I will be in contact with the mentors and have more individual support,” says Boucher. “Having access to Foundation Scholars and Mentors with different backgrounds is very interesting and helpful in not feeling alone in this PhD journey.”
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is an independent, non-partisan Canadian registered charity. It was created in 2001 as a tribute to the former prime minister. More than just funding research, the foundation’s goal is to position Scholars to have meaningful impacts in their communities and institutions while networking with committed, interdisciplinary people.
Enthusiasm for the potential of Boucher’s research is flourishing from the additional funding the Canadian government has given Boucher as he has also been awarded a prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship this year.