The second annual Student Voices Week runs March 13–19, and includes events, activities, and engagement opportunities that celebrate equity-focused work on campus and encourage conversations about equity at Queen’s.

Student Voices Week is an initiative of the Queen’s Shift Project, in partnership with student clubs and university offices and services. It was launched as a response to the university’s first campus climate and culture student survey. The Shift Survey was recently administered again; results will be shared with the campus community later this year.

“The 2021 climate and culture survey showed that under-represented students are more likely to face oppressive, exclusionary, and discriminatory behaviours on campus; often these students don't feel as safe or connected to others,” says Taryn McKenna, Student Inclusion & Engagement Coordinator at the Shift Project. “Student Voices Week creates spaces to highlight the role that all students can play in developing a safe and inclusive culture that celebrates the work that so many equity-deserving students do to improve the student experience for all.”

A new event is the Student Voices Week Market on March 14 from 10 am–3 pm in Grant Hall. The market will feature booths run by student clubs, entrepreneurs, and artists, providing equity-focused information, initiatives, and creations.

“The idea for the market came from my own experience working at one this past summer,” says Shift Project Student Ambassador, Aubrey Rose Apps. “Markets are a great way to engage people in conversation and to learn something new. Creating a space for students to showcase their work and how it relates to equity at Queen's seemed like a natural way to engage students in conversations around equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

A Student Celebration Event on March 16 acknowledges the students whose individual and group efforts make Queen’s a safer and more inclusive space, and aims to facilitate peer connections and strengthen equity-focused communities on campus.

Other events include a Faith Fair in partnership with Faith and Spiritual Life (March 13), an Accessibility Connections session with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services and Student Wellness Services (March 13), a film screening (March 15), a live podcast recording (March 19), and an opportunity for students to contribute to a collaborative display all week long.

Keep up to date with Student Voices Week events and information on the Student Voices Week Event webpage. Most events are open to all students interested in being part of the shift towards a safer and more inclusive campus culture, unless noted in the event description.

Learn more about ongoing equity work at @queensshiftproject on Instagram, and The Shift Podcast.

If you have any questions, email queensshiftproject@queensu.ca.