Deon Castello

PhD in Global Governance

Deon Castello is a PhD Student in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University, specializing in global social governance.

She holds a BA (Hons) in Legal Studies with concentration in human rights law and communication. A recent Ryerson Immigration and Settlement Studies Masters graduate she mediates and liaisons with governmental and non-governmental organizations on issues of migration and other social justice concerns.

Prior to her immigration and settlement studies masters, Deon studied Globalization at the master’s level at McMaster University focusing on temporary foreign workers with specific emphasis on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program.

In both master’s degree programs Deon’s research dealt with policies and provisions for stakeholders in the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program. Her recent work involved interviews with senior government officials, other civil servants and current and former workers in the program from a source country perspective where she travelled to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to interact with participants.

Her academic-career future goal focuses on developing research on the inter-relationship of ‘temporary’ labour migration and how it affects and changes through cultures.

Awards

  • Balsillie Doctoral Fellowship, 2019
  • Graduate Entrance Scholarship, Ryerson University, 2018
  • Graduate Entrance Scholarship, McMaster University, 2017
  • President’s Honors Roll, Durham College, 2016
  • Dean’s List, University of Ontario Institute of Tech, 2014

Select Publications

  • “The legacy of unfreedom in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program in Canada” (submitted manuscript – Journal of Peasant Studies)
  • “The Complexities of No Borders in Immigration Control and Resistance Politics” A Book Review of Natasha King’s (2016) No Borders: The Politics of Immigration Control and Resistance (submitted manuscript- Citizenship studies)
  • “Citizenship is not Enough: The legitimization of discrimination for the Canadian – born children of refugee claimants” (under review – Citizenship studies)

Education

  • Master of Arts, Immigration & Settlement Studies, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, 2019
  • Master of Arts, Globalization, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, 2018
  • Post-Grad Certificate, Mediation – ADR, Durham College, Oshawa, ON, 2017
  • Bachelor of Arts, Legal Studies (Communications), UOIT, Oshawa, ON, 2016
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