Gisèle Yasmeen

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  • JW McConnell Professor of Practice, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University

I was appointed JW McConnell Professor of Practice, Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University on September 1st, 2025. Previously, I was Global Fellow of the Wilson Center and Associate Vice-President, International at University of Ottawa on February 2nd, 2023. Prior to that, I was Senior Fellow since 2014 at the University of British Columbia's Institute of Asian Research, part of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. I am also an Affiliate of the Margaret Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security at McGill, as well as a member of their Advisory Board and Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University's School of Environment and Sustainability. Until recently, I served as Executive Director of Food Secure Canada - a pan-Canadian bilingual non-profit organization with policy impact. I've also served as a senior federal government executive, most notably for seven years as Vice-President of Research and Partnerships at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). I am also on the board of Farm Radio International and has served on five other boards of directors. My career has been devoted to the study of food and food-systems and associated policies as well as executive oversight of research and public policy oriented funding and programs in both Canadian and International contexts. I've collaborated with numerous Canadian and multilateral organizations including the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the World Bank, the International Labour Organization, the Asian Development Bank and the International Development Research Centre.

Experience

  • 2025–present
    JW McConnell Professor of Practice, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University
  • 2024–2025
    Global Fellow, Wilson Center
  • 2023–2024
    Associate VP International, University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa
  • 2014–2023
    Senior Fellow, University of British Columbia
  • 2019–2022
    Executive Director, Food Secure Canada
  • 2007–2014
    Vice-President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
  • 2005–2007
    Senior Director, Elections Canada
  • 2001–2004
    Regional Director, Centre for Research and Information on Canada

Education

  • 1997 
    University of British Columbia, PhD
  • 1991 
    McGill University, Master of Arts
  • 1988 
    University of Ottawa, BA Honours

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