Celebrating Graduate Studies Week will be held next week, February 26 - March 2, providing an opportunity to showcase the many ways in which our graduate students shape our campus, contribute to research and discovery, and engage with our community. It will give undergraduate students the chance to learn about the graduate experience, the academic programs available, and the first-hand experiences of current graduate students.

The week is organized by the School of Graduate Studies in collaboration with the faculties, and it draws in many partners across campus and the community including CFRC 101.9 FM and Tourism Kingston.

“Celebrating Graduate Studies Week is a fantastic way for Queen’s to recognize the many contributions of graduate students to campus life, to advancing new and innovative ideas, and to making a difference in our community,” says Brenda Brouwer, Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. “Graduate studies is part of Queen’s social fabric and with strong programs, professors, and partnerships that help shape the graduate experience there is much to celebrate and be proud of. It is this powerful combination that supports our students’ success, gives them the tools to set their ideas in motion, and allows them to take it from there.”

One of the week’s highlights is a Research Showcase hosted by The City of Kingston and the School of Graduate Studies at the Four Points Sheraton which will be held Thursday, March 1 from 4 to 6 pm. Six graduate students will highlight how they are taking their research beyond the academy and into the community. The community is invited and a reception will follow.

“During my undergraduate studies, I became familiar with the programs, the people, the researchers, and, very importantly, the research itself, and I decided I wanted to continue being a part of this great community,” says Zaid Taha (Artsci’15, MSc’17), a PhD candidate who studies cancer immunology. “Through this Research Showcase presentation, I am hoping to be able to highlight the awesome cancer research we do here at Queen’s, along with our community initiatives such as public speaking, team working, fundraising, and organizing. These activities have helped develop a number of valuable personal, interpersonal, and professional skills and helps us be part of the community.”

The City and School of Graduate Studies hope examples like those shared by the five showcase presenters will attract newcomers to Kingston as students, and convince them to remain residents of the city following their studies.

The Celebrating Graduate Studies Week events calendar kicks off on Monday, February 26. The day's agenda includes a live taping of CFRC’s “Grad Chat” radio show. Host CJ the DJ will record her show from the Biosciences Atrium from noon to 1 pm, and will speak to current graduate students about the research they do and how they share it with the public.

Also on Monday, the Stauffer Library will host an open house to view the plans for a new graduate student reading space in the Library.

Tuesday, February 27th's program includes opportunities to learn about living in Kingston as a graduate student from a panel discussion that will be streamed on the web through Facebook Live and Periscope (1-1:45). There will also be a TEDx event about mobilizing research into the community.

On Wednesday, February 28, graduate students who have received Tri-Council Scholarships at a special reception recognizing research excellence at Queen’s. Their supervisors will be there to share in the festivities.

In addition to the Research Showcase, Thursday’s program includes a Human Library, where visitors can ‘sign out a scholar’ and learn more about graduate studies, research, and the graduate community at Queen’s; panels about Indigenous scholarship, finding the right graduate supervisor, and becoming a professor (or not) will also take place throughout the day.

To conclude the week, Friday’s activities focus on prospective graduate students as they prepare for graduate studies and learn about options, funding opportunities, and more. 

To see the full agenda and to register for Celebrating Graduate Studies Week, visit queensu.ca/sgs/gradweek.