Megan Cumming
DARE Project: The Secular on the move: Transnational Secularism in the Francophone World
Program(s) of Study: History
Project Supervisor: Amelie Barras & Jennifer Selby
I hope that my research on "Secularism on the Move: Transnational Secularism in the Francophone World" will contribute to a better understanding of how secular ideas and policies impact Francophone communities in Canada and abroad.
Project Description:
My DARE research project, titled "Secularism on the Move: Transnational Secularism in the Francophone World," explores the circulation of secular politics and ideas among Francophone nations and communities, particularly focusing on their impact within Canadian contexts, notably Québec. Under the guidance of Professors Amélie Barras and Jennifer Selby, I contributed to the project by researching legal developments and debates concerning religion and secularism in Francophone countries between 2004 and 2024. This involved comprehensive analysis of legal databases and scholarly articles in French and English, as well as summarizing key findings to support the project's media, legal, and political analyses. Additionally, my research will be the primary source for a public-facing component of the project: an online, interactive timeline of secularism laws passed in Francophone countries. This timeline aims to make the legal developments accessible and understandable to a broader audience, highlighting the project's impact and outreach.The Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (DARE) - Undergraduate enables our students to meaningfully engage in research projects supervised by LA&PS faculty members. Find out more about DARE.