Murphy, Dr. Michael

PhD (McGill University), MA (University of Western Ontario) Professor
Email: Phone:
250-960-6683
Office:
CJMH-3075
Campus:
  • Prince George

Biography

Michael earned his PhD in Political Science from Mcgill University, with a specialization in political theory. Following postdoctoral positions at the University of Auckland and Queen's University, Michael taught in the Political Studies department at the University of Otago before joining the UNBC Department of Political Science in 2006. From 2006 to 2015 Michael held the Canada Research Chair in Comparative Indigenous-State Relations, and in 2016 he was promoted to Full Professor.

Research and Expertise

Michael’s research and teaching interests include Indigenous rights and self-determination, multiculturalism, diversity and democracy, democracy and democratization, ethics and politics, and the philosophical and political linkages between freedom and well-being.

Research Fields:
  • Culture
  • Ethics
  • First Nations
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Human Rights
  • Political Science
Areas of Expertise:

Political theory, multiculturalism, ethnicity and nationalism, Indigenous rights and self-determination, democracy and democratization, diversity and democracy, democracy and ethnic conflict, ethics and politics, transitional justice and the politics of reconciliation.

Languages Spoken:
  • English
Currently accepting graduate students
Supervises in:
  • PhD NRES
  • MA NRES
  • MA Political Science
Available to be contacted by the media as a subject matter expert

Selected Publications

Michael’s recent publications include “Self-Determination as a Collective Capability: The Case of Indigenous Peoples,” Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 2014); “Multiculturalism” (Oxford Bibliographies in Philosophy, 2018); “Self-Determination Theory: Political and Psychological,” David McGrane and Neil Hibbert (eds), Contemporary Canadian Political Theory (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2019); and “Indigenous Peoples and the Struggle for Self-Determination: A Relational Approach” Canadian Journal of Human Rights, 2019.