For students looking to broaden their understanding of global challenges and develop an interdisciplinary skill set focused on solving complex problems, the Faculty of Arts and Science recently launched Queen’s Global Summer (QGS). The six-week program focused on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals offers a selection of cross-disciplinary courses, events, research showcases, and professional development opportunities.

Graduate Summer Symposium: Science and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Current Queen’s graduate students whose research focuses on science, technology, and innovation intersecting with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are encouraged to apply for the in-person conference taking place from Aug. 5-6, 2022. Proposals for oral and posters presentations will be accepted until May 15, 2022.

Students enrolled in the on-campus summer program will combine for-credit undergraduate courses with meaningful engagement with the local Kingston community. For instance, the flagship course QGSP 200 – Global Goals: Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals examines global issues with a focus on building skills in interdisciplinary problem solving. Guest lectures by faculty members across Arts and Science and Indigenous Elders will be coupled with fieldwork and learning opportunities at research facilities such as Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS). QGSP 200 also includes a capstone group project where students partner with community organizations to support local initiatives related to sustainable living and commuting, food security, and energy conservation, among others.

“The Queen’s Global Summer will perform the very important role of raising the awareness of issues of global relevance and advance our understanding of the UN SDGs,” says Dr. Amitava Chowdhury (History), Special Advisor to the Dean of Arts and Science on Global and Decolonization Initiatives and QGS project leader. "It provides our students with a unique and exciting opportunity to enroll in interdisciplinary problem-solving and engage in experiential learning opportunities in our local Kingston community.”

Additional course-offerings range from memoir and migrancy, to marine environmental issues, and life, death, and meaning, among others. Graduate students participating in the program will have access to a series of unique activities focused on training in research methods, writing support, and career development, such as the Graduate Summer Symposium on the topic of Science and the Sustainable Development Goals. QGS is also partnering with community organizations to offer public events, workshops, and film festivals on SDG topics throughout the summer, such as the Sustainable Freedom Lecture Series.

To learn more about this new program and for information on how to register, visit Queen’s Global Summer or attend the upcoming virtual info session on March 31.

Queen’s University has launched a new website and report focused on social impact to highlight our community’s progress in advancing the UN SDGs: www.queensu.ca/social-impact