Gender Studies at Queen's University
The New Black Studies Minor at Queen’s
Dr. Katherine McKittrick, Professor of Gender Studies and researcher in the areas of black studies, anti-colonial studies, cultural geographies and gender studies joins us for the first 45 minutes of this special extended edition of Campus Beat. McKittrick chats with us about the new Black Studies program at Queen’s University scheduled to launch in Fall 2021, the motivations behind the program’s development, the ins and outs of creating a brand new minor, and the importance of interdisciplinarity in Black Studies.
Grace Adeniyi-Ogunyankin named Canada Research Chair in Youth and African Urban Futures
Gender Studies faculty member Grace Adeniyi-Ogunyankin has been named a Canada Research Chair (CRC), a prestigious honour created to promote leading-edge research and attract the world's best researchers.
Spring 2021 Gender Studies Course Offerings
The Department of Gender Studies is offering three special topics courses in the spring/summer term:
GNDS 280: Special Topics - Reproductive Justice: How Women of Colour Activists Have Inspired Re-thinking Internationally
GNDS 380: Special Topics - Indigenous Resurgence and the Politics of Anti-Racist, Feminist, Queer, Trans and Crip Solidarity Work
GNDS 380: Special Topics - Psychoanalysis and Social JusticeSpecial issue of Journal of Critical Race Inquiry now available
The editorial team at the Journal of Critical Race Inquiry (JCRI) is very pleased to announce a special issue of the Journal of Critical Race Inquiry.
Vol 7 No 2 (2020): Special Issue: Whiteness in the Age of White Rage—The Canadian Context
Department of Gender Studies Fall 2020 newsletter
It is with great pleasure that we present you with the first issue of the Gender Studies newsletter.
As we approach the 35th year of Women’s Studies and Gender Studies at Queen’s, we want to celebrate our past and current efforts while strengthening connections between (and among!) our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners.
Our first issue includes:
· Introduction of the new BA Minor/General in Black Studies
· A new look for Gender Studies
· Celebrating the first Gender Studies PhD graduate
· Faculty News – Katherine McKittrick, Karen Lawford, burcu baba, Heather Castleden
· Alumni Spotlight – Tasia Alexopolous, Nael Bhanji, Mel Côté, Taylor Cenac, Kelly Cole
· Upcoming eventsHeather Castleden garners prestigious Fulbright Fellowship
Gender Studies Graduate Chair Heather Castleden awarded a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa to engage with Native Hawaiians about their leadership in renewable energy projects.
Announcing the Terrie Easter Sheen Graduate Award
When we think of the Department of Gender Studies (previously the Department of Women’s Studies) at Queen’s, the first person we think of is Terrie Easter Sheen. For 35 years, Terrie was the central pillar of the department, supporting its growth from a single course to a full and lively department. During her time at Queen’s, Terrie has been the consistent welcoming face of Gender Studies, and has profoundly impacted students, staff, faculty and visitors to the Department.
Statements from The Queen's Department of Gender Studies and Queen's Black Faculty & Staff Caucus regarding Scholar Strike Canada
Dear Gender Studies Community,
I am writing today to say that the Department of Gender Studies supports the Scholar Strike Canada Initiative. Scholar Strike is a labour action/teach-in/social justice advocacy happening on 9-10 September 2020 to protest anti-Black and racist policing, and related forms of institutional violence against Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities on Turtle Island and elsewhere in the world. We stand in solidarity.
By now you may have seen the Provost’s message supporting the Strike (see below). Gender Studies faculty, staff and students are already leaders in dismantling anti-Black racism and protesting state violence against Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. We recognize that Black, Indigenous and racialized faculty, staff, and students at Queen’s regularly encounter structural and systemic racism and carry heavy burdens on a daily and continual basis. I hope the momentum that is finally building at the University and in the larger community will build on and amplify the tremendous anti-racist work that is being done and dissolve systems of oppression and inequity in the community and the academy.
We strongly encourage and support those in the Gender Studies Community and in the University more broadly to pause on September 9-10 and in whatever ways you can, join the Scholar Strike Canada conversations, activities and events. For information about Scholar Strike Canada, how to get involved, and to support the statement, please see here.
In Solidarity,
Elaine5 September 2020
The Queen’s Black Faculty and Staff Caucus (QBFSC) stands in solidarity with the actions taken to support the ‘Scholar Strike’ to be held on September 9th &10th, 2020. Scholars in the U.S. and Canada will engage in digital public teach-ins to educate ourselves and others about the history of anti-Black racism and violence in our countries. The purpose of Scholar Strike is to protest the ongoing violence against Black and Indigenous communities including acts of violence and murder perpetrated by law enforcement officials and upheld by a legal system that is fraught with systemic racism.
This is an important time for reflection and dialogue about anti-Black and anti-Indigenous systemic racism, as well as other forms of marginalization, within our own institution and to support the efforts of Queen’s leadership to bring about meaningful change. We are encouraged by Provost Mark Green’s support for the Scholar Strike and encourage everyone in the Queen’s community to help make this a meaningful learning moment.
We support the actions of members of the Queen’s community who plan to pause administrative and teaching duties to focus on constructive dialogue and learning about anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism in Canada on September 9th and 10th. For Faculty and Staff who may not be able to fully participate, we ask that you support us by sharing the rich learning material that can be found on the “Scholar Strike Canada” Website https://scholarstrikecanada.ca.
We also hope that everyone in our community will take the time to honour the call to become better educated on the ways that white supremacy impacts the lives of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour on our campus, in the Kingston community, and beyond.
—QBFSC
Message to GNDS Plan Students from the Undergraduate Chair
Congratulations to the Class of 2020
Katherine McKittrick inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Katherine McKittrick, Professor in Gender Studies, has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as an International Honorary Member in Class III, Social Sciences.
The American Academy of Arts & Sciences was founded in 1780 by John Adams, John Hancock, and others who believed the new republic should honor exceptionally accomplished individuals and engage them in advancing the public good. Academy members represent today’s innovative thinkers in every field and profession, including more than two hundred and fifty Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners.
Dr. McKittrick is one of two individuals from a Canadian institution elected to the Academy in 2020.
Congratulations to Karen Lawford on receiving a 2020 Indspire Laureate Award
Representing the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its own achievers, the Indspire Awards were created in 1993, in conjunction with the United Nation’s International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The Awards recognize Indigenous professionals and youth who demonstrate outstanding career achievement. They promote self-esteem and pride for Indigenous communities and provide outstanding role models for Indigenous youth.
Our Mission
The Department of Gender Studies practices interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, teaching, and programming that advance our commitment to social justice and social change.
We embrace an approach to gender that explores and challenges racism, capitalism, colonialism, (hetero)sexism, ableism, and other manifestations of power.
Our scholarship, activism and community work centre marginalized, alternative, and relational knowledges, span local and global contexts, and engage historical and contemporary perspectives.
Together we foster an accessible, culturally diverse, and transformative learning environment.
Career Direction
A Gender Studies education provides you with the tools to be a leader in a wide range of occupations including: human services, social work, media, non-profit organizations, private businesses, advocacy, and the arts. It also provides a solid foundation for pursuing graduate degrees in law, medicine, education, public policy, public health, in addition to any of the social science and humanities programs.
English:
Queen's University is situated on traditional Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe territory.
Kanien'keha (Mohawk):
Ne Queen’s University e’tho nońwe nikanónhsote tsi nońwe ne Haudenasaunee tánon Anishinaabek tehatihsnónhsahere ne óhontsa.
Anishinaabemowin:
Gimaakwe Gchi-gkinoomaagegamig atemagad Naadowe miinwaa Anishinaabe aking
Queen's Encyclopedia page about the history of this land, and why it is important to acknowledge this land and its people.