Some people make deals with God, some people with the devil, but Dr. Faron Ellis makes his deals with Aristotle.

As Dr. Ellis, a political science expert and instructor at the college, once stood in the majestic mountains of Kananaskis, he pondered a few things.

While waiting for the golf green to clear, famous words of Aristotle circled his thoughts. Phrases like it’s all about community, and politics are local.

His deep-rooted life in the world of politics, had over the years, created some innate responsibility within him to run for parliament.

Although this idea weighed on him heavily, the tolls the job can have on family and personal life were beyond what he was willing to sacrifice.

So while standing on the green, a revelation came to him that maybe city council could be a viable option.

It was there, on the par three, fourth hole, that Ellis made his deal.

He recalled back to the day, with just as much seriousness as on the day he made it, “I make a deal with Aristotle… the gods of Mount Kidd… If I put this on the green I’m going to seriously consider it,” he said. He put the ball on the green within two feet of the hole.

Needless to say after returning home Ellis began fulfilling his part of the deal.

As he was headed off to his first meeting, he nonchalantly mentioned to his wife that he might come home with nomination papers.

His wife’s response was not one that was alarmed, and he was taken aback by her lack of surprise. “Oh I always knew you were going to run for something,” she had said.

While continuing his teaching at the college, Dr. Ellis served as Alderman in Lethbridge from 2010 to 2013.

Ellis’ time on city council was just a minimal part of his role in our community. Perhaps his most important job is the one he has here at the college.

Ellis devotes a large portion of his time to the Citizen Society Research Lab, which he founded in 2000.

Within the lab, his students conduct Alberta wide polling on various topics. He explained how it is important for students to get practical, hands-on experience.

“Students learn more about data collection in a couple of interviews than I could teach them in hours of lecture,“ he said.

The lab provides students with the opportunity to gather their own data and carry out the scientific research from beginning to end.

Mallory Kristjanson, a student in the General Studies Sociology and Psych Program, is in Dr. Ellis’ Research Methods class.

She spoke about her experience thus far, “Dr. Ellis is incredible at what he does and how he teaches,” she said. “He always keeps us engaged, he makes us think outside the box, and helps us see how science research is so valuable in today’s society.”

Since coming into the research class at the beginning of the semester, her philosophy on what we need to do as a society has changed.

She explained how important it is for the younger generation to develop an understanding of the key issues facing our society.

Laurel Mitchell, a third year Justice Studies Student, said, “It’s good to see how research is done and what it takes to get it done, you learn to appreciate it more.”

The information that is being gathered in polling sessions will have a future impact on the community.

Once organizations have an understanding of the general population’s opinions, it assists them in dealing with current issues at hand.

Various organizations throughout Alberta contact the Citizen Society Research Lab to have research conducted for them.

Along with city council and the research lab, Ellis still finds time to write. He has written books, numerous chapters in books, news and magazine articles and many academic articles.

His next book chapter will be co-authored with Paul Wells from McLean’s magazine.

The book can be expected to surface around spring of next year.

From Aristotle, to politics, to scientific research, it is clear Ellis has a wealth of knowledge available to his students.

If you ever find yourself required to take his Research and Methods class, don’t let the “dreaded STATS” prefix fool you. Ellis, who was hoping to get the prefix changed, said, “it’s not a statistics class.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Citizen Society Research Lab, including results from previous studies, you can visit: lethbridgecollege.ca/appliedresearch.