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Max Bell School - Masterclass in Policy Advocacy – Fall 2026

The Masterclass is a professional development program designed for senior policy advocates working in Canada’s charitable sector. Building on the Max Bell Foundation's long-standing PPTI programming, the Masterclass offers an advanced, immersive learning experience for professionals with significant experience in public policy advocacy.  Designed as a deep dive into policy advocacy, the program combines expert-led instruction with practical and experiential learning. It is intended to bridge the gap between the Foundation’s established PPTI courses and graduate-level programs in public administration or public policy.

Program Structure

The Masterclass will be held at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University in Montreal, Québec, and will consist of three 3-day, in-person modules taking place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Fall 2026:
 

• Module 1 – September 17–19, 2026
• Understanding the Current Context for Policy Advocacy
   
• Module 2 – October 15–17, 2026
• How Governments Make Public Policy
   
• Module 3 – November 12–14, 2026
• Strengthening Your Capacity for Policy Advocacy
   

Guest Speakers/Instructors

Guest speakers will be delivering a series of non-credit classes/workshops, from 3 to 6 hours daily, between October 15 and November 14, 2026. These sessions will provide participants with practical knowledge, perspectives and tools to deepen their capacity for effective public policy advocacy in one or more of the following areas:

• The changing local, national and global context for public policy
• Understanding how governments develop and implement public policy
• The information ecosystem that shapes public policy
• Advocating for public policy in an era of political polarization
• When and how to collaborate with other policy advocates
• Building individual and organizational capacity for effective policy advocacy
   

The Max Bell School is hiring experienced professionals, practitioners and subject-matter experts to bring current, practical and relevant perspectives to the Masterclass and engage participants in an interactive learning environment in Fall 2026.

Applications need to be submitted by August-28-2026.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.