Isabelle Lemay is a DPhil student in International Development whose doctoral research seeks to better understand the emergence and decline of movements of openness towards refugees in the Global North. More specifically, she is interested in the role that representations and perceptions of refugees play in influencing policy-making towards openness, and the implications for the longevity of these movements. Her analysis encompasses political elites, the media, and public opinion. Her research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Fonds de recherche Société et Culture du Québec (FRQSC), and the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF).

Isabelle obtained her master’s degree in political science from McGill University, Canada, and her bachelor’s degree in international studies from the Université de Montréal. In addition to research, Isabelle has a keen interest in the practice of international development. She has furthered this interest through work and volunteer experience with various organizations throughout the years, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) headquarters in Geneva, Oxfam-Québec, and PROMIS, an organization providing integration services to immigrants and refugees in Montreal.