Head and shoulders image of Dr. Alan Cairns, Political Science.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Alan Cairns studied political science at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1953 with a gold medal and an MA. Dr. Cairns obtained his doctorate from Oxford University; his thesis, based on research conducted while living in Rhodesia, was later published as Prelude to Imperialism (1965). Dr. Cairns joined the Political Science department at the University of British Columbia in 1960, serving as head from 1973 to 1980. He retired in 1995. His research focused on Canadian politics, particularly federalism, electoral and party systems, judicial review, and constitutional issues. Dr. Cairns also studied Aboriginal issues in depth as a member of the Hawthorn Commission in the mid-1960s, returning to these issues in his prize-winning 2000 book Citizens Plus. Cairns was also one of three research directors of the (Macdonald) Royal Commission reporting in 1985 on the economic union and Canada’s development prospects. Visiting appointments and chairs were held over the years at many Canadian universities, including the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Cairns was a member of the Royal Society of Canada, an Officer of the Order of Canada and received honourary degrees from the University of British Columbia, University of Saskatchewan (2002), University of Toronto and Carleton University. Dr. Cairns died in 2018.