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james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly
@james-kelly.bsky.social
290 followers 330 following 23 posts

Professor of Political Science, Concordia University. Donner Prize Finalist 2005, 2024. Judicial politics. Cyclist of the Lachine Canal. Retired QB. Belfast born 🇮🇪 @JamesB_Kelly https://www.ubcpress.ca/james-b-kelly

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Political science 21%
History 17%
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Reposted by Jim Kelly, Lawrence B. Solum, Jacob T. Levy

rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social
Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · 7d
New from RGCS alum Erin Crandall (PhD '13), Associate Professor of Politics at Acadia, and coauthors Andrea Lawlor and Shauna Hughey, in the Canadian Journal of Political Science

"Negative Spotlight: Event-Driven Effects on Support for the Canadian Supreme Court"

doi.org/10.1017/S000...
Abstract Longstanding public support for the Supreme Court of Canada is well-documented and contributes to its public legitimacy. However, the sources of this support and how vulnerable it may be to political factors or negative coverage of events are not well understood. In February of 2023, Justice Russell Brown took a leave of absence from the Supreme Court following a conduct complaint under review by the Canadian Judicial Council. Justice Brown retired from the bench in June of that year, before the CJC concluded its investigation. In the intervening period, media coverage of the events that prompted the attention from the CJC thrust the Court into the spotlight. Using data from an original two-wave survey experiment (n = 1,222) from May and November of 2023, we investigate whether perspectives toward the circumstances surrounding Brown’s retirement hurt perceptions of the Court’s legitimacy. We find that the event did not disrupt support for the Court over time but also point to the ways in which opinion toward the Court changed pre- and post-resignation. These findings suggest that support toward Canada’s high court is at present largely stable even in the case of negative coverage of a high-profile event. However, we also acknowledge the potential vulnerabilities that negative coverage of the Court may present.
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Reposted by Simon Hix, Sara B. Hobolt, Jim Kelly , and 2 more

epssnet.bsky.social
EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 17d
📢 Call for Papers for EPSS 2026 conference in Belfast is out: epssnet.org/belfast-2026...

We'll feature two sections each Tuesday & Thursday to provide more information about the conference.

🔝 This Tuesday: Party Politics & Historical Political Economy
Call for Papers | EPSS Belfast 2026 Conference
Submit your abstract or full paper for EPSS Belfast 2026. Share cutting‑edge political science research, network with peers & contribute to academic impact.
epssnet.org
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Reposted by Jim Kelly, Patrick O’Brien, Michael Veale , and 3 more

colinmurray.bsky.social
Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 28d
A lovely tribute from Áras an Uachtaráin to mark Professor Conor Gearty's passing:

president.ie/en/media-lib...
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social
Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · 28d
New book w chapters coauthored by RGCS alums Erin Crandall (PhD '13), (Acadia), and Kate Puddister (PhD '11), (Guelph).

Emmett Macfarlane @emmettmacfarlane.com , ed., Rights and Parliamentary Systems in Canada and Beyond, University of Toronto Press, 2025.

utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....
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Reposted by Jim Kelly, Eoin Daly

tjmcintyre.com
TJ McIntyre @tjmcintyre.com · 28d
Very sad to hear of the untimely death of Conor Gearty, a lovely individual, one of our finest legal academics, and a central figure in promoting human rights worldwide.
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Reposted by Jim Kelly, Steven Pressman

aphclarkson.bsky.social
Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · Apr 9
The only dollar you can rely on
530 1.4K 16K

Reposted by Jim Kelly

seinfeldism.bsky.social
Seinfeldism @seinfeldism.bsky.social · Jun 14
In a classic *Seinfeld* episode, George gets called out for double dipping a chip at a funeral, when “Timmy” tells him it’s as bad as “putting your whole mouth into the dip.” But is it really that bad?
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

theatlantic.com
The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jun 9
“Be warned: Trump is expecting resistance. You will not be heroes. You will be the pretext,” writes @radiofreetom.bsky.social: https://theatln.tc/ENIOetrF
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

tommasopavone.bsky.social
Tommaso Pavone @tommasopavone.bsky.social · Jun 9
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 w/ @chrishillion.bsky.social & @ascherz.bsky.social! How can governments restore liberal democracy after a period of democratic erosion? We theorize "democratic frontsliding" & how obstructions to frontsliding can be overcome, using Poland/the EU as a case: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
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james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 20
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Protests erupt as New Zealand moves to suspend MPs who performed haka in parliament
Lawmakers face suspension after they protested controversial bill seeking to redefine the treaty that governs relations between New Zealand and its Indigenous population
www.theglobeandmail.com
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

ubcpress.bsky.social
UBC Press @ubcpress.bsky.social · May 16
More congrats! "Constraining the Court: Judicial Power and Policy Implementation in the Charter Era" by @james-kelly.bsky.social has been shortlisted for the 2025 W. Wesley Pue Book Prize, awarded by the Canadian Law and Society Association.

📘 About the book: www.ubcpress.ca/constraining...
Cover: Constraining the Court: Judicial Power and Policy Implementation in the Charter Era, by James B. Kelly. Photo: a statue in profile, holding a sword in its crossed arms. Only the hilt is visible; the rest is hidden by the statue’s cloak. Past it, a clock tower is visible. It is snowing. Beside the cover, text congratulates the author James B. Kelly for being shortlisted for the 2025 W. Wesley Pue Book Prize.
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

cpsa-acsp.bsky.social
🇨🇦 CPSA ACSP 🇨🇦 @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social · May 15
Let's gather #CPSA_ACSP25 @gbcollege.bsky.social
WHICH CAMPUS?
"St James A" 200 King St.E
"St James B&C" 290&300 Adelaide St.E
georgebrown.ca/about/campus...
Get yr BADGE "St James A" OR Waterfront federationhss.ca/en/congress/...
Shuttle St J.-Waterfront every 20'
@isaluciecote.bsky.social
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Reposted by Jim Kelly, Rory O’Connell

itswelshliam.bsky.social
Liam Edwards @itswelshliam.bsky.social · May 15
Interested in Admin Law or Devolution?

My completed doctoral thesis, "Judicial Review in the Devolved Nations" is now openly available to download and read through the link below.

pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/studentTh...
Judicial review in the Devolved Nations: a comparative analysis of the judicial review landscape in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
pure.ulster.ac.uk
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

cpsa-acsp.bsky.social
🇨🇦 CPSA ACSP 🇨🇦 @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social · May 15
🏆D Smiley 2025 Félicitations 👋🏾👋🏾
@james-kelly.bsky.social|Rayment|@stephanell.bsky.social Campana @mcgillqueensup.bsky.social Tanner
⭕️Jury Doberstein @mireillelalancette.bsky.social @jeraldsabin.bsky.social
CITATIONS conta.cc/4jxLz2F
Winner👉🏽June 4 TMU cpsaconference.ca/sessions_det...
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

alainggagnon.bsky.social
Alain-G. Gagnon @alainggagnon.bsky.social · May 11
La Société royale du Canada (SRC) et l’Université du Québec en Outaouais sont ravies de présenter le quatrième volet de la série des Dialogues de la SRC @ l’UQO, qui portera sur la pauvreté et les inégalités.
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

anuragdeb.bsky.social
Anurag Deb @anuragdeb.bsky.social · May 10
Out in the latest issue of the European Human Rights Law Review, @colinmurray.bsky.social and I look at the recent Dillon judgments in the NI courts. The first Act of Parliament to be disapplied after Brexit, the case is due to be heard in the UK Supreme Court later this year.
Anurag Deb & CRG Murray, 'By their powers combined: the two article 2s at work on the Dillon challenge to the Legacy Act' (2025) 2 EHRLR 178 (available on Westlaw) Abstract: "The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal’s Dillon judgment marked a profound reversal for the United Kingdom (UK) Government. The court, building upon the judgment of the High Court, found that significant elements of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 could not be reconciled with the UK’s commitments under either the Human Rights Act or the Windsor Framework. In the former regard, the issue revolved around the investigative duties which accompany art.2 of the European Convention on Human Rights . In the latter, at issue is the diminution of rights for victims of serious crime which had applied under the Victims’ Directive while the UK was an EU Member State, and which were thereby covered by the UK’s commitments to maintaining rights and equality protections derived from EU law in Northern Ireland law after Brexit under art.2 of the Windsor Framework. In this article we find nothing particularly complex in the positions adopted by the Court of Appeal on either of these issues. Instead, what this furore represents is the UK Government, in the hands of both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, finding itself surprised and exposed by the Northern Ireland judiciary's confidence in employing these rights protection mechanisms."
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

nobyrne.bsky.social
Nicole O’Byrne @nobyrne.bsky.social · May 8
I'm pleased to announce that the Canadian Law and Society Association's prize committee has decided on its shortlist of books for the W. Wesley Pue Book Prize. The winner will be announced at the conference to be held at the U of Saskatchewan College of Law, 11-13 June 2025. @bbryder.bsky.social
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james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 9
Very grateful to Harrison Lowman and @thehubcanada.bsky.social for the recent interview on my book, Constraining the Court (UBC Press 2024), nominated for the Donner Prize. Thanks @ubcpress.bsky.social and Randy Schmidt
youtu.be/IRuvLfVZ8uQ?...
James Kelly on constraining the courts and judicial power
YouTube video by The Hub Canada
youtu.be
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james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 9
Thrilled to be a finalist for the W. Wesley Pue Book Prize by the Canadian Law and Society Association, awarded for the best book on Law + Society. Thanks to @ubcpress.bsky.social and Randy Schmidt. Congratulations to the other finalists and their presses.
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

emmettmacfarlane.com
Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · May 3
John Scheider is the fucking worst goddamned coach in the league, and he's been with the Jays at least 4 years too long.
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

ubcpress.bsky.social
UBC Press @ubcpress.bsky.social · May 2
Hurrah! "Constraining the Court" by @james-kelly.bsky.social has been shortlisted for the 2025 Donald Smiley Prize, awarded by the Canadian Political Science Association. Congratulations to all the finalists and their publishers! 🎉

📘 About "Constraining the Court": www.ubcpress.ca/constraining...
Cover: Constraining the Court: Judicial Power and Policy Implementation in the Charter Era, by James B. Kelly. Photo: a statue in profile, holding a sword in its crossed arms. Only the hilt is visible; the rest is hidden by the statue’s cloak. Past it, a clock tower is visible. It is snowing. Beside the cover, text congratulates the author James B. Kelly for being shortlisted for the 2025 Donald Smiley Prize.
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Reposted by Jim Kelly, Alan de Brauw

theonion.com
The Onion @theonion.com · May 2
Trump Argues Toy Shortages Easily Overcome By Making Servants Dance
Trump Argues Toy Shortages Easily Overcome By Making Servants Dance
WASHINGTON—Acknowledging that his tariff hikes could result in a frozen supply chain this holiday season, President Donald Trump claimed Friday that any toy shortages Americans experienced could be ea...
theonion.com
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james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 2
Thanks Connor. Hope to see you at CPSA
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james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 2
Thanks Emmett

james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 2
Honoured to be a finalist for the 2025 Donald Smiley Prize, awarded by the Canadian Political Science Association for the best book on Canadian politics. Congratulations to the other finalists. Thanks @ubcpress.bsky.social
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

eandreweditor.bsky.social
Emily Andrew @eandreweditor.bsky.social · May 1
Doing a happy dance because two @mcgillqueensup.bsky.social books are shortlisted for @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social's 2025 Smiley Prize! 💃

What Women Represent: a "superb book", say the endorsers.

The Great White North: "this kind of work is very rare" and "required reading", they attest.
Cover image of Erica Rayment's book, What Women Represent: The Impact of Women in Parliament. Cover image of Stephane Leman-Langlois, Aurelie Campana, and Samuel Tanner's book, The Great Right North: Inside Far-Right Activism in Canada.
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Reposted by Jim Kelly, Katy Hayward

alanrenwick.bsky.social
Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · May 1
It was a real privilege to be in Belfast on Monday to discuss our report on possible reforms at Stormont with @katyhayward.bsky.social, Ann Watt at @pivotalppf.bsky.social and a very thoughtful and perceptive audience.

For all who couldn't be there, see the full recording here. 👇
conunitucl.bsky.social
UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Apr 29
Yesterday evening, @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social hosted an event to discuss possible reforms of Stormont.

Speaking were @katyhayward.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Ann Watt @pivotalppf.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social, with John Garry as chair.

Watch a recording 👇
Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion
Talk of possible reforms to the Stormont institutions has been growing recently, spurred by concerns about repeated institutional collapses, perceived inequi...
www.youtube.com
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Reposted by Jim Kelly

theonion.com
The Onion @theonion.com · Apr 30
Trump Calmly Reminds Nation That Desire The Root Of All Suffering
Trump Calmly Reminds Nation That Desire The Root Of All Suffering
WASHINGTON—Seeking to reassure the public after his latest tariffs sent both U.S. and international markets into free fall, President Donald Trump calmly reminded the nation Thursday that desire is th...
theonion.com
86 620 4.2K

Reposted by Jim Kelly

338canada.bsky.social
Philippe J. Fournier @338canada.bsky.social · Apr 30
January 5 projection vs April 28 election results.

No lead will ever be safe.
27 73 380

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Katy Hayward, Alan Renwick

conunitucl.bsky.social
UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Apr 29
Yesterday evening, @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social hosted an event to discuss possible reforms of Stormont.

Speaking were @katyhayward.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Ann Watt @pivotalppf.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social, with John Garry as chair.

Watch a recording 👇
Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion
Talk of possible reforms to the Stormont institutions has been growing recently, spurred by concerns about repeated institutional collapses, perceived inequi...
www.youtube.com
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