MARK S. WILLIAMS
Political Studies & Global Studies
Vancouver Island University
Political Science
UBC
BIO
Professor of Political Studies and Global Studies
I joined the VIU faculty in 2013, teaching in both the Political Studies department and the Global Studies department. Prior to my relocation to beautiful Nanaimo, British Columbia, I completed a PhD in Political Science (International Relations) at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and a MA in Political Science (Comparative Politics) and a BA (Political Science/Environmental Studies) at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario.
PUBLISHED WORK
LEFT-RIGHT AND
NORTH DEBATES
Co-Producer of a political commentary podcast that features Canadians from across the political spectrum discussing the big issues facing our country and the world. We don't all agree but we're all playing for Team Canada.
Follow us on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wEMUGrKH8iWy3GjXmbrPN
WORLD REORDERED
Producer of the social media series @world.reordered. The series tells stories of the making and breaking of world order--its triumphs and tragedies--across the past and present in a documentary style.
YouTube Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@World.ReOrdered
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXDqjrEgWNw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
BOOKS
Williams, Mark S. The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats. (Toronto: The University of Toronto Press, 2022).
Williams, Mark S. Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy: The Sport vs. Spectacle Divide. (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2018).
Williams, Mark S. Indonesia, Islam, and the International Political Economy: Clash or Cooperation? (New York: Routledge, 2017).
ARTICLES & CHAPTERS IN EDITED BOOKS
Williams, Mark S., and Selina Haynes. "Canada's Accession to ASEAN's Treaty of Amity: Cooperation and Diplomatic Presence in Southeast Asia," Canadian Political Science Review 17 (2023), pp. 77-97.
Williams, Mark. S. “The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: An Introduction,” in The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats. Mark S. Williams, ed. (University of Toronto Press, 2022), pp. 1-29.
Bowes, Matthew, Jeffrey Lewis, and Mark S. Williams. “Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific: Democracy, Authoritarianism, and Policy,” in The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats. Mark S. Williams, ed. (University of Toronto Press, 2022), pp. 172-190.
Petersen, Lisa-Carolin, and Mark S. Williams. “Designing the Future of Cyber-Security in ASEAN,” in The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats. Mark S. Williams, ed. (University of Toronto Press, 2022), pp. 278-292.
Williams, Mark. S. “The Korean Crisis: An Emergency Session of the United Nations Security Council,” in The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats. Mark S. Williams, ed. (University of Toronto Press, 2022), pp. 295-305.
Williams, Mark. S, Quinn Campbell, and Madison Lussier. “The Women’s Movement in the Asia-Pacific” in The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats. Mark S. Williams, ed. (University of Toronto Press, 2022), pp. 306-317.
Williams, Mark. S, and Selina D. Haynes. “From the Asian Financial Crisis to the Looming Threat of Deglobalization: An ASEAN Plus Three Summit,” in The Politics of the Asia-Pacific: Triumphs, Challenges, and Threats. Mark S. Williams, ed. (University of Toronto Press, 2022), pp. 318-334.
Haynes, Selina L. and Mark S. Williams. "Forbearance, Endogenous Development, and Aid Work," International Dialogue 11 (2021), pp. 4-32.
Williams, Mark S. "The Role of a Faculty Advisor for A Model United Nations Conference: 5 Lessons Learned from Practice," Journal of Political Science Education (2019), pp. 1-9.
Williams, Mark S. “Public Corruption and Civic Disclosure: Natural Resources in Indonesia,” in Democracy and Civil Society in a Global Era. Marguerite Marlin and Scott Romaniuk, eds. (Routledge, 2016), pp. 204-219.
Williams, Mark S. “Yudhoyono’s Third Way: Islamic Democracy, National Stability and Economic Development in Indonesia,” in Indonesia’s Ascent: Power, Leadership and Asia’s Security Order. Christopher Roberts, Ahmad D. Habir, and Leonard Sebastian, eds. (Palgrave MacMillan, 2015), pp. 69-92.
Williams, Mark S. and Julie Rorison, “Conversations on the Regime and the Institution: the Copenhagen Accord and Global Environmental Governance,” Bridges: Conversations in Global Politics and Public Policy 1, 1 (2012), pp. 44-70.
Stubbs, Richard, and Mark S. Williams. “The Poor Cousin? Canada-ASEAN Relations,” International Journal 64, 4 (Autumn 2009), pp. 927-939.
Williams, Mark S. “Iranian Non-Compliance with the IAEA,” Peace Magazine 25, 2 (April-June 2009), pp. 21-23.
Williams, Mark S. “Canada at War in the Pacific: The Case of Complex Neorealism,” International Journal of Canadian Studies 37 (Summer 2008), pp. 167-176.
Williams, Mark S., and Paul Williams. “The Weaponization of Oil in the Messages of Usama bin Laden,” Journal of Military and Strategic Studies 10, 2 (Winter 2007-08), pp. 1-37.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research primarily concerns issues pertaining Canadian foreign policy, the Asia-Pacific, and the politics of sport. I am currently working on a book project on Canadian foreign policy and the rules-based international order.
TEACHING
Courses Taught
I teach a variety of courses spanning the introductory, intermediate and advanced levels of Political Studies. I generally incorporate active learning strategies in the classroom, such as discussions, simulations, experiential learning, and problem-based learning.
POLITICAL STUDIES @ VIU
• 100 Identities and Communities: An Introduction to Politics
• 151 Law and Politics of Canada
• 200 International Security
• 201 International Political Economy
• 220 American Government
• 300 International Organizations
• 301 Implementing Human Rights
• 303 Diplomacy & Power at the UN
• 320 American Foreign Policy
• 321 Canadian Foreign Policy
• 330 Comparative Public Policy
• 335 Asian Governments and Politics
• 393 Topics in International Politics
• 400 International Relations Theory
• 490 & 491 Directed Studies, I-II
GLOBAL STUDIES @ VIU
• 100 Introduction to Global Studies
• 392 Great Powers and Global Order
GET IN TOUCH
Contact Mark regarding research, course offerings or any other inquires.
VIU Social Sciences, Nanaimo Campus
