The Capstone
The Capstone is an opportunity for graduate students to undertake independent research on a policy problem of their choosing.
Students receive tailored support from a faculty supervisor as well as from their peers in formulating and carrying out their research and analysis and throughout the writing process.
Our students’ Capstone research is available through the SFU Library system. View: Summit Research Repository site to access the complete list of Capstones, go to ‘Filter by Collection’ in the right-side menu and select ‘Public Policy.’
Capstone Awards
Each year, the School of Public Policy recognizes individuals who have demonstrated remarkable achievements and advancements during their graduate studies. Below are the recipients of the 2024 Capstone Awards.
Canadia Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) Award
The CAPPA award is given for the outstanding capstone of a graduating student. The awardee is the School's nominee for the National Student Thought Leadership Award competition at the annual national Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC) Conference.
Katelyn Poitras: “Transforming Canadian Corrections: Addressing Punitive Practices in Federal Prisons to Foster Rehabilitation for Inmates with Mental Health Conditions”
Supervisor: Kennedy Stewart
Master of Public Policy Award
The Master of Public Policy Award recognizes a capstone that exemplifies outstanding public policy research in all respects and application of what has been taught in the program including: problem definition, analytical framework, analysis, specification of policy alternatives and analysis of those alternatives.
Isaac Brownlee: "Act Now, Not Tomorrow." Understanding & Addressing Perceived Safety Risks on Public Transit in Metro Vancouver
Supervisor: Yushu Zhu
Ethical Significance Award
The Ethical Significance award is given when a capstone touches on social, economic, or political injustices in any policy sphere and exemplifies outstanding analysis.
Mikayla Eastman: "Equity in Canada's Food Banking Network: An Investigation into Eligibility Requirements"
Supervisor: Mohsen Javdani
Doug McArthur Capstone Award
This award honours a graduating Masters of Public Policy student from SFU in recognition of the completion of an outstanding capstone. The capstone has the potential to have a lasting impact and influence public policy decisions and actions. It demonstrates skilled and innovative approaches that fully incorporate societal objectives, and it's methods help to reconcile the interplay of complex, often competing objectives when developing alternatives and solutions to a significant and challenging policy problem.
Katrina Kelly: "Transcending Identity: Policy Solutions to Legal Gender Affirmation Barriers in British Columbia"
Supervisor: Michelle Amri