In 2015, John McGarry鈥檚 research on conflict resolution was recognized by the Council of Ontario Universities as one of the top 50 examples of 'game-changing' research conducted in Ontario during the past 100 years.
His work has helped shape political institutions and policing in societies experiencing ethnic and national conflict. His expertise in constitutional design and power-sharing has had a significant influence on the United Nations and public policy in a number of countries.His publications have created new possibilities for peace and democracy around the world. McGarry鈥檚 work on policing in Northern Ireland, for example, had a crucial impact on the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing Reform, representing a major step in Northern Ireland鈥檚 peace process.