Cultivating a Culture of Inclusivity & Belonging
Purpose of GIFs
Our Graduate Inclusivity Fellows (GIFs) promote a culture of belonging at Queen's for graduate students. Working with the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA), GIFs serve as recruitment ambassadors welcoming the next generation of graduate students to Queen's. Specifically, GIFs will help support the diversification of graduate students with support for and priorities of diversity, equity, inclusivity and Indigeneity. GIFs will be instrumental in supporting the SGSPA's aim to enhance Queen's campus as a space of belonging and inclusivity for all.
Current Priority Areas for our GIFs
- Support graduate recruitment and outreach focused on increasing graduate student diversity
- Engage with prospective students to address their questions about equity, inclusivity and diversity at Queen's
- Offer informational support to graduate students and their families by sharing knowledge about their own experience at Queen's
Want to chat with a GIF? Check out our Ask a Grad Student page!
Meet Our Current GIFs
Victoria Yu
MSc in Neuroscience
Victoria Yu is a first year MSc student in the Centre for Neuroscience Studies. Supervised by Dr. Amanda Bongers, she aims to leverage her background in education and psychology to examine the neural correlates of learning and bring evidence-based practices into the science classroom. In addition to her research, Victoria is an Ontario Certified Teacher and has been involved with equity work and advocacy both within and outside of Queen’s. She is the co-founder and current co-chair of Dandelion Project Ontario—an organization that strives to educate high school students about post-secondary and career opportunities in STEM. She also played a key role in developing a toolkit for peer-based education on sexual violence with Students for Consent Culture Canada.
Bhavya Bogra
PhD, Geography and Planning
Bhavya is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the Department of Geography and Planning. Her research focuses on understanding the local travel needs, particularly the unmet travel needs and challenges, experienced by immigrant older adult women living in mid-size Canadian cities. While her academic pursuits delve into the complex layers of Human Geography and Urban Planning, Bhavya's interests extend well beyond research. She is a community builder and has been involved with the Association of Indian Graduate Students at Queen’s (AIGSQ), facilitating smooth transitions for fellow international students from South Asian countries. She has also started working as the Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion for the City of Kingston, a role aimed at inspiring community-focused actions to support the city’s Climate Leadership Plan. Beyond academia, Bhavya finds self-expression and adventure in dancing, hiking, and biking. Her diverse activities reflect her zest for life and learning.
Sumaiya Khanam Chowdhury
PhD in Education
Sumaiya is a second-year PhD student at Queen’s University's Faculty of Education. Her work explores the intersection of classroom assessment and student well-being, aiming to uncover the reciprocal effects between assessment practices in the classroom and students’ autonomy, competence, relatedness, emotion, and engagement. Sumaiya's research spans various educational domains, including the side effects of assessment, inclusive education, intergenerational education programs, and educational leadership. In her current roles as a student leader within the Assessment and Evaluation Group (AEG) and president of the Queen’s Bangladeshi Students’ Association (QBSA), she is deeply engaged in fostering academic excellence and community involvement. She is a parent to two children and is passionate about exploring diverse cultures and locations globally.
Aileen Editha
Doctoral student in Law
Aileen is a PhD student at the Faculty of Law researching health law and medical ethics through critical race and feminist lenses. Born and raised in Surabaya, Indonesia, Aileen immigrated to Canada in 2021 after completing her undergraduate and Masters degrees in Durham, England. Throughout her time at Queen’s, Aileen has worked as a Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and Council Speaker for the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS). When she’s not working on her dissertation, she’s probably embroidering, reading, or watching Bob’s Burgers.
Marcus Young
PhD Student in Cultural Studies
Marcus Young (he/him) is a researcher whose scholarly focus is on masculinity and visual culture. As a Graduate Inclusivity Fellow, he is invested in helping new and current graduate students thrive socially and academically. Connect with Marcus about the graduate student experience and the potentials of pursuing higher education at Queen's University.
Elyse Longair
PhD, Screen Cultures and Curatorial Studies
Elyse Longair is an artist, curator, and image theorist from Lethbridge, Alberta. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Screen Cultures and Curatorial Studies at Queen’s University. Longair’s research focuses on collage history, collage as research creation and institutional strategies of collecting and curating collage. Her Simple Image Theory in collage re-imagines the role of images away from the overt-complexity that dominates our world, opening up new possibilities for imagined futures.
Longair actively participates in the arts community serving as Chair, Chief Curator, for the Services to Artists Committee, College Arts Association, The Local Shorts Programmer for The Kingston Canadian Film Festival and as a member of The University Arts Association Sustainability Committee. At Queen’s, Longair contributes as a Visitor Services Gallery Receptionist at The Agnes Etherington Art Centre and administers and a contributes to the graduate blog, Gradifying, offering invaluable insights into graduate life.
How Do I Apply to be a GIF?
GIFs are selected through an open call application process on a yearly basis (usually in October-November) facilitated through the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. GIFs serve up to a two-year term.
Up to six GIFs will be selected. GIFs can be Master's or Doctoral students. Selection of candidates will seek to reflect:
- Diversity of equity deserving groups
- Diversity of graduate student population (e.g. part time, international, mature students, students with dependents)
- A range of programs and faculties
To express interest, applicants should:
- Prepare a one-page statement detailing your background experience and knowledge relevant for this role and your aims in pursuing this role
- Provide up to two statements of endorsement (maximum one page each). One statement should be from a peer and the other from a Queen's faculty or staff member. Statements should provide information on your capacity and skills to contribute to the role
- Submit a current CV/Resume
- Submit all materials as one PDF package, including statements of endorsement, to the SGSPA via email to Colette Steer (steerc@queensu.ca) by November each year. Questions can be directed to Colette Steer (steerc@queensu.ca)
Applications will be reviewed by a panel inclusive of SGSPA members and one graduate student representative. The panel will have representation from equity deserving groups. Expected start for Graduate Inclusivity Fellows is January 1, of each year.