Acknowledgments
Dr. Valérie Vézina
Since I arrived at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in 2018, I have had the privilege and honour to meet a number of people who not only have been supportive of my research and publication endeavours, but also have strengthened my ability and desire to publish and use open sources. I would hence like to extend my thanks to the leadership team in the Faculty of Arts: Dr. Diane Purvey (Dean), Dr. Shelley Boyd (Associate Dean), Dr. Gregory Millard (Associate Dean) and Dr. Wade Deisman (Associate Dean), who have not only made me feel at home at KPU, but have generously given their time to consistently listen, encourage and uplift me. I could not have asked for a more welcoming Faculty. Thank you for all the work you do and for the wonderful people you are!
I am also deeply grateful to have met, in the very early weeks of arriving at KPU, Dr. Rajiv Jhangiani (Associate Vice President, Teaching and Learning) who not only welcomed me with open arms, but showed me that KPU was a leader in Open Education. This meeting really was the first spark of this project.
The Open Education team at KPU is not only fantastic, but incredibly attentive and supportive. I would like to give a massive thank you to Urooj Nizami, an open education strategist who coordinated this project and answered all of my inquiries with precise details. Karen Meijer-Kline, librarian (and Pressbooks expert!), was there to support my inquiries with Pressbooks and referencing and was always willing to take my calls. For your patience and expertise, I thank you.
I also want to thank my colleagues in the Department of Political Science, who were enthusiastic supporters and contributors to this project. I am also very grateful to have had the chance to work with Robert Cahill, a copy editor. Not only does Robert make my life simpler, but his editing is fast, efficient and professional. Thank you. Obviously, for any flaws that remain, I am only to blame. I also want to thank all the contributors for their trust in this project and for their input; this would not have been possible without you.
This book was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Open Education Creation Grant (Fall 2020) and the Faculty of Arts Excellence and Advancement Funds (Fall 2020).
Finally, I want to thank my fiancé and life partner, Matthew Cloutier. Not only is he supportive of all my endeavours, but his patience shows no limits (and, as any editor will know, editing a book comes with a roller-coaster of emotions!). I love you.
I would like to dedicate this book to all students, at KPU and beyond, who, through studying worldviews and political ideologies, are trying in their own ways to build their future.