Simon Pek – The Conversation

While mini-publics have been capitalized on by governments around the world, their potential has been overlooked by member-based organizations. (Shutterstock)

February 7, 2024

Democratic organizations struggle with democracy, too. Here’s what they can do about it

Simon Pek, University of Victoria and Jeffrey Kennedy, McGill University

Mini-publics, a type of participatory process, can help revitalize democracy in democratic member-based organizations.

The costs of climate change are clear with the flood devastation in Lybia simply being the latest grim example. What is also clear is that traditional policymaking has failed and climate assemblies may provide a novel and more equitable path forward. (AP Photo/Jamal Alkomaty)

September 14, 2023

How climate assemblies can help Canada tackle the climate crisis

Simon Pek, University of Victoria and Lorin Busaan, University of Victoria

Climate assemblies may just provide the breakthrough required to develop popular, just and sustainable climate and energy policies.

Employee-owned firms have better organizational performance and tend to be more resilient in the face of economic disruptions. (Shutterstock)

April 16, 2023

Investing in employee ownership could help the Canadian government meet its sustainability goals

Lorin Busaan, University of Victoria and Simon Pek, University of Victoria

The Canadian government’s proposed employee ownership trust could have positive impacts that go beyond workers and businesses.

The Ontario Assembly on Workplace Democracy examined how everyday people experience work and what they want done to make work better and their voices heard. (Shutterstock)

December 11, 2022

What do workers want? 5 key takeaways from the first citizens’ assembly on workplace democracy

Simon Pek, University of Victoria and Rafael Gomez, University of Toronto

Improving the ability for worker’s voices and perspectives to be heard in the workplace could have wide ranging benefits for employers and broader society at large.

A new approach to business regulation is needed to suit the current economic context and address pressing global issues. (Shutterstock)

November 13, 2022

How businesses can collaboratively ‘walk the talk’ on social and economic challenges

Simon Pek, University of Victoria and Sébastien Mena, Hertie School

Multi-stakeholder initiatives have the potential to help businesses tackle social and environmental issues, but they need to ensure that all members have their voices heard.

Overhauling approaches to student participation in university governance is one way universities can help revitalize the democracy we want. (Pexels/Yan Krukov)

October 17, 2022

Universities can foster more deliberative democracy — starting by empowering students

Simon Pek, University of Victoria and Jeffrey Kennedy, Queen Mary University of London

Universities should look to democratic innovations seen in society like ‘mini publics’ where citizens deliberate about critical issues in representative forums.

Tipping reshapes the relationship between workers and their managers, and workers and consumers. In doing so, it has wide-ranging effects on workers. (Shutterstock)

May 8, 2022

The future of tipping should be driven by Canadians, not businesses

Simon Pek, University of Victoria

The future of tipping should be defined by Canadians, not businesses seeking to shift responsibility for worker compensation onto consumers.

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leave a media scrum before the release of the federal budget on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa on April 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

April 18, 2022

New budget offers Canada a chance to get employee ownership right

Simon Pek, University of Victoria

For Canadians hoping to emerge from the pandemic with better jobs, a stronger economy and reduced inequality, employee ownership combined with employee participation is a promising way to get there.

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