abstract:John J. Kirton is a professor of political science and the director and co-founder of the G8 Research Group, co-director (with Alan Alexandroff and Donald Brean) and founder of the G20 Research Group, and founder and co-director (with James Orbinski) of the Global Health Diplomacy Program, all housed at the Munk School of Global Affairs at University of Trinity College in the University of Toronto.