Kent, Jonathan

Dissertation:

Legitimizing Deterrence: "Stopping the Boats" and International Asylum Law

Biography

Jonathan Kent is a doctoral candidate specializing in international relations and comparative politics. His research is located at the intersection of national border control policies and the role of international norms, specifically legal norms. Jonathan’s dissertation is a longitudinal analysis of the Australian government’s response to boat arrivals of asylum seekers and the legitimacy and legality of those policies. His theory combines research from international law and constructivist international relations to develop a theory of legal norm change. Jonathan has held fellowships at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, The American University, and The Australian National University. In 2012, he held the Cadieux-Léger Fellowship at Global Affairs Canada.

Publications

“Border Bargains and the ‘New’ Sovereignty: Canada-US Border Policies from 2001 to 2005 in Perspective.” Geopolitics. 16.4 (2011): 793-818.

“The IBETs and Integrated Border Management Between Canada and the United States.” Sitrep Security. 68.2 (March/April 2008): 5-10.

Research Interests

International law, international relations, asylum law, border control, constructivism

Previous Degrees

BA in History (Old Dominion University); Master’s in Strategic Studies (University of Calgary)

Teaching Experience

Immigration and Canadian Political Development (course instructor)