Queen’s students across the globe are feeling the impacts COVID-19 in many different ways. To document this unprecedented period, the Office of the Associate Vice-Principal (International) has launched a photo contest to help strengthen our community’s connections in a time of increased physical distancing, asking students to submit a photo about their pandemic experience.

“Though the COVID-19 pandemic may be a single, common event affecting the world at large, there is a deep diversity in the ways individuals are experiencing its impacts,” says Sandra den Otter, Associate Vice-Principal (Research & International). “Given the global nature of the Queen’s student body and the physical distancing required of us all, we wanted to create a conduit through which we could bring the community together virtually to share in empathy and strengthen our bonds, and to document this unique moment in time.”

All undergraduates, graduate students, and those on exchange to or from Queen’s, including those based at the Bader International Study Centre, are invited to participate. Submissions can explore any theme relating to students’ pandemic experiences, such as physical distancing, maintaining mental wellness, how your surroundings have changed, and beyond.

Entries must be an original photograph taken by the submitter between Jan. 1, 2020 and June 3, 2020, when the contest is scheduled to close. Permission must be gained from people pictured in each photo.

One entry per student will be accepted into the contest, and photos should be high-resolution, in the proper format, and include a few descriptive sentences as a caption.

Once all submissions have been received, select photos will be collated into an online gallery. A panel will determine ten winners and a shortlist of photos for the ‘People’s Choice’ category. The People’s Choice winner will be voted for by members of the Queen’s community, Kingston community, and friends around the globe. All winning photos will receive a prize of $100 CAD each.

Learn more about contest details, deadlines, and rules and submit your photo.