Queen’s University has released its Bicentennial Vision, articulating our aspirations for the future and providing a sense of purpose and direction as the institution looks ahead to its 200th anniversary in 2041.  

“We find ourselves in a period of profound change and deep responsibility as higher education confronts shifting public expectations, global uncertainty, rapid digital transformation, and a renewed imperative to serve society more inclusively and sustainably,” says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. “In that context it is essential to be clear about the purpose which guides our work, the values that define us, and the obligations which flow from them.”

Grounded in Queen’s history and the values that have guided the university since its founding in 1841, the vision sets out how those enduring commitments will shape its future. It affirms a long-standing tradition of public service, student leadership, and the strength of a close-knit academic community, qualities that have helped Queen’s navigate profound change across generations and that continue to anchor the institution today.

At its core, the Bicentennial Vision is rooted in Queen’s identity as a university of personal scale and global reach. It highlights what distinguishes Queen’s from peer institutions: the integration of research, teaching, and the student experience within a community where students are known and supported, alongside scholarship and partnerships that extend beyond campus and contribute to national and global knowledge, influence, and leadership.

The vision calls on the university to focus on areas of strength, pursue excellence, and ensure that academic freedom, truth and reconciliation, inclusion, sustainability, and ethical leadership shape both what Queen’s does and how it does it.
 

Community consultation

The Bicentennial Vision was developed through extensive consultation across the Queen’s community over the past year. Its development started in January 2025 when Principal Deane released a discussion paper framing the present state and future of the sector and the context in which the vision would be developed. More than 700 students, staff, faculty, and alumni participated in a series of town halls, regular forums, and through email and an online feedback form. This was followed by several rounds of consultations where 200 members of the community, primarily faculty and staff, discussed the themes to include in the vision.  

An advisory group consisting of students, staff, faculty, and senior leaders then worked over summer 2025 to develop the draft Bicentennial Vision which was shared publicly for feedback in the fall. The final vision was approved by the Board of Trustees at its meeting in December.  

“I am grateful to everyone who contributed to shaping the Bicentennial Vision,” says Principal Deane. “It reflects a shared sense of purpose for our community, and it now belongs to all of us. Its impact will be realized through how we work together to carry it forward, through our tradition of service aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, leadership that prepares graduates to address global challenges with integrity, and a continued commitment to quality and excellence that ensures Queen’s delivers meaningful benefits to society.”
 

A framework to make every action count

To help chart our path forward, the vision is supported by a shared priorities section with near-term strategic and foundational priorities that will be updated every five years. The accompanying planning framework establishes standards and expectations to support coordinated planning across the university and serves as an internal operational guide.

Together, these documents provide a unifying foundation and the clarity needed for decision making and flexibility to navigate change while advancing the distinctive identity of Queen’s and its academic mission.

For more information and to read the full document and access the planning framework, visit the Queen’s Bicentennial website.