Graduate Students In and For the Community
The PhD-Community Initiative began as a pilot program in Fall 2016. The incredible success of the pilot has led the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs to expand the initiative to seek more community partners, additional mentors, and provide opportunities for more doctoral students to be involved. The PhD-Community Initiative (PhD-CI) responds to community organizations that have identified challenges and opportunities that are meaningful to their operation or mission. PhD students bring advanced research training and critical inquiry and creative thinking skills to an interdisciplinary team to support the organization’s challenge. Working in partnership with the organization and with a team mentor, teams of students will define (or scope) the project, plan an approach, and identify the outputs to be achieved and/or delivered by the project completion date.
Questions? Please contact Heather Merla at heather.merla@queensu.ca.
What is it?
The initiative brings together PhD students from different programs of study into interdisciplinary teams of 3 to 5 members to assist community organizations in addressing a particular issue or challenge of importance to them. With the benefit of a fresh, interdisciplinary, analytical approach, the organization may receive the help needed to move forward in a positive way. Each team will be assigned a mentor who will provide guidance and advice about working as a team, managing a project, and working with partners.
The PhD-Community Initiative provides PhD students with an exceptional interdisciplinary, experiential learning opportunity that requires the application and translation of skills and knowledge gained in graduate training to address a problem outside of their area of research or scholarship.
Teams are formed in consideration of the project preferences of each participant and in accordance with the following criteria: each team will have 3 to 5 members; have representation from various discipline clusters (i.e., Social Sciences, Humanities, Physical/Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering); no more than 2 members from any single discipline cluster (no more than 1 in a team of 3); and a team cannot have more than one member from a single academic unit.
Why Participate?
Students who participate will:
- Gain experience working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
- Gain experience in developing a plan of action and deliverables from ambiguous beginnings
- Learn to apply skills and knowledge outside of the academic arena
- Build and enhance professional skills (e.g. project management, leadership, building effective teams, communication, design thinking, interpersonal and inter-professional networking)
“It's an opportunity to get perspectives of individuals that are excited to participate in it, are eager, and bring perhaps a revitalized energy to something that you just haven't had the time to attack and complete.”
- Sonia Nobrega, QUBS
“The workshops have given me confidence that I can add value to my local community. I have already encouraged several of my peers to register for the next session.”
- Michael Carter, a PhD student in geography who worked with Sistema Kingston
“What was most valuable about the experience for me was watching a team of people who didn't know my organization actually get to know it really quickly, understand its bones, and to provide me with some new ideas and some incentives to go the next step.”
- Karma Tomm, Sistema Kingston
Expectations
Students who would like to participate must be prepared to dedicate 5-8 hours/week to the project over a period of 7-8 months, which includes a commitment to the following:
- Participate in person in all aspect of the project from start to finish
- Participate in preparatory workshops and meetings (for details, see below)
- Engage with the community partner
- Attend regular meetings with their team and mentor
- Actively participate in and contribute to the work of the team
- Participate in monthly progress meetings with each team presenting briefly on their progress to date
- Present the project output/deliverable at a public capstone event
- Time commitment: 5-8 hours per week (generally up to 5 hours at the start of the project and more towards its completion)
Community Partners interested in participating must identify an issue or challenge that is relevant to their organization and be prepared to identify a contact person to liaise and act as a resource for the team of PhD students aiming to address the challenge. Community Partners must commit to:
- Attending an introductory meeting to 1) present the issue or challenge that the organization faces and what you hope a team of PhD students might address; and 2) answer questions from the students
- Having a contact person who will meet with the team at the start of the project and serve as a resource as needed throughout the project period (October to April)
- Attend the capstone event
Program Information Session
Wednesday, September 17, 10:30-11:30am
Kingston Hall, room 313
Learn more about the PhD-Community Initiative! At this session, you’ll learn more about the program, expectations, this year’s partners, and the benefits of participating. Attend to learn if the program is right for you!
Meet the Community Partners
Tuesday, September 23, 4:30-6:30pm
Robert Sutherland Hall, room 448
Hear directly from this year's community partners about their organization and the projects they have to offer. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, helping you to decide which project you want to support. At this session you’ll be asked to submit your project preferences.
Highly Effective Teamwork
Thursday, October 2, 5:30-8:30pm
Room TBD
Facilitator: Diana Drury, Director of Team and Executive Coaching, Smith School of Business
This essential workshop will be the first time you come together with your team. Gain important training in highly effective teamwork to set you and your team up for success. During this workshop, you’ll also create a team agreement to help guide your work moving forward. This skills-building workshop will also support your career development outside of the PhD-CI!
Dinner provided.
Principles of Community Engagement
Mid October (exact date TBD)
Facilitator: Katie Fizzell, Experiential Learning Strategist
Learn principles of community engagement to build a meaningful relationship with your community partner. During the workshop you’ll learn skills for effective, ethical, and professional engagement informed by academic literature and real-world scenarios.
November Progress Report
Wednesday, November 12, 11:30-12:30pm
Location TBD
Holiday Season Lunch
Wednesday, December 10, 12:00-1:30pm
Location TBD
Join fellow PhD-CI students, mentors, and program facilitators for a holiday season lunch to celebrate the hard work you’ve done so far!
January Progress Report and Skills Inventory
Thursday, January 22, 11:00 – 1:00
Gordon Hall, room 324
Facilitator: Miguel Hahn, Head Career Coach, Career Services
February Progress Report
Tuesday, February 24, 11:30-12:30
Location TBD
March Progress Report and Skill Articulation/Career Application
March 24, 11:00-1:00
Gordon Hall, room 324
Facilitator: Miguel Hahn, Head Career Coach, Career Services
Presentation Skills Workshop
April 16, 11:00-12:30
Location TBD
Facilitator: Dr. Johanna Amos, Manger of Outreach, Student Academic Success Services
Dr. Amos will provide strategic guidance on effectively presenting your work to a diverse and general audience in preparation for the program capstone. This workshop offers essential training that will serve you well beyond the PhD-CI!
Capstone Event
Early May 2026