Frank Graves (pollster)


Francis L. "Frank" Graves is a Canadian applied social researcher. He is the founder and current president of EKOS Research Associates Inc.

Education

Graves received a Bachelor of Arts in social anthropology from Carleton University in 1976, a Master of Arts in sociology from Carleton University in 1977, and has completed doctoral coursework in sociology.

Career

Graves is considered to be an expert in a number of fields related to public policy and program evaluation and has advised some of Canada's senior decision-makers, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the federal cabinet, the Clerk of the Privy Council, dozens of federal deputy ministers, and the United States Ambassador to Canada.
Graves has published widely in academic and mainstream publications. He has lectured at the Rotman School of Management, the Kennedy School at Harvard, the University of Ottawa, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in Washington, D.C.
Graves is a frequent commentator in Canadian and American media. He has directed a number of public opinion research projects on behalf of the CBC, the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and La Presse. He has made numerous television appearances on CBC's Power & Politics with Evan Solomon, The National, and , as well as CTV's Mike Duffy Live. He has also been part of the CBC’s Election Night coverage team.
In 2013, Graves was named a Fellow of the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association, the highest professional designation in the marketing research industry in Canada. He also serves on the advisory board at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University.

Controversy

In April 2010, the Conservative Party of Canada accused Graves of giving partisan advice to the Liberal Party of Canada, noting his donations to the party since 2003. An investigation conducted by the CBC ombudsman found no evidence to support these allegations, stating that personal donor history is not relevant to one's objectivity as a pollster.

Select publications