Through research, teaching, learning, outreach, and stewardship activities, the Queen’s community contributes to the fight against climate change, helping to build inclusive societies, and ensuring equal access to health care and quality education to advance social impact and ultimately the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor has appointed Dr. Heather Aldersey, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, as Special Advisor to the Principal on UN SDGs. Dr. Aldersey’s role will involve creating an inventory of UN SDG work by identifying best practices and champions of UN SDG work at Queen’s, and she will also create and chair a Principal’s Council on UN SDGs to inform, collaborate, and innovate on the development of a UN SDG operational framework for the university.
About the Principal’s Advisory Council on UN SDGs at Queen’s
Comprised of Queen’s faculty, students, and staff, as well as representatives from local organizations or offices currently engaged with Queen’s in SDG-related work, the Advisory Council suggests institutional priorities for action on the SDGs, supports strategies for the application and implementation of SDG operational frameworks, and identifies opportunities for collaborative work to achieve the goals.
As Queen’s strives to ensure diverse and equitable participation in its initiatives, the Advisory Council will regularly review and recommend council membership to ensure inclusivity of representation from the greater Kingston community.
Principal’s Advisory Council on UN SDGs at Queen’s
Read the Terms of Reference [PDF 114 KB]
|
Name |
Title |
| Heather Aldersey | Chair, Special Advisor to the Principal on UN SDGs |
| Oyedeji Ayonrinde |
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry |
| Benjamin Bolden | Associate Professor, Music Education |
| Karen Bertrand | Vice-Principal, Advancement |
| Jennifer Campbell | Commissioner of Community Services, City of Kingston |
| Juan Francisco Chavez Ramirez | Smith School of Business |
| John DiPaolo | President, United Way KFL&A |
| Setareh Ghahari |
Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Therapy / SRT Associate Director (Occupational Therapy Program) |
| Ishana Gopaul |
Manager, Special Projects |
| Melinda Knox | Director, Thought Leadership and Strategic Initiatives |
| Warren Mabee | Director, School Policy Studies and Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science |
| Owen Rocchi | President, Alma Mater Society |
| Victor Odele | PhD Student – First Year |
| Brian O’Neill | Director, Investments |
| Nancy Ross | Vice-Principal, Research |
| Sandra den Otter | Vice-Provost, Global Engagement |
| Ellie Sadinsky | Executive Director, Student Affairs |
| Stephanie Simpson | Vice-Principal, Culture, Equity, and Inclusion |
| Nathan Splinter | Manager, Energy and Sustainability |
| Marcus Taylor | Department Head and Professor, Global Development Studies |
| Gavan Watson | Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning |
| Amy Wu | Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering |
August 2, 2023, Council Minutes [PDF 155 KB]
September 6, 2023, Council Minutes [PDF 100 KB]
October 4, 2023, Council Minutes [PDF 88 KB]
November 15, 2023 Council Minutes [PDF 98 KB]
January 10, 2024 Council Minutes [PDF 137 KB]
February 7, 2024 Council Minutes [PDF 183 KB]
March 6, 2024 Council Minutes [PDF 170 KB]
June 6, 2024 Council Minutes [PDF 319 KB]
Responsible Futures International Pilot
Queen's is participating in Responsible Futures, an international pilot program focused on sustainability across all aspects of student learning. Participation and leadership in this pilot demonstrates our strong commitment to embedding sustainability and social responsibility across the formal and informal curriculum in partnership with students.
Students Organising for Sustainability and the International Association of Universities are partnered to deliver Responsible Futures, working closely with a small group of invited institutions, including Queen's and six others across the globe to co-create the program, including an international framework of good practice, ahead of a wider launch at the end of 2024. The cohort of institutions will work closely with their students throughout the year to engage with the framework of good practice, with the goal of effecting changes to teaching and learning.
The Office of the Principal, in partnership with the AMS – Office of the Sustainability Commissioner is seeking students interested in sustainability education to be part of our first cohort of Responsible Futures Student Auditors. audit will take place on September 16 and 17, 2024, from approximately 9am - 5pm.
For more information and instructions to apply, please view the call for applicants. The deadline to apply is August 28, 2024.
Stories of SDG work at Queen’s
Many members of the Queen’s community are advancing SDGs. The stories shared below are examples from across the university that highlight the breadth of this important work being done by students, faculty, and staff.
Date Published: Mar 04, 2024
Building partnerships for more resilient communities
I-CREAte research team and their first project respond to community needs and UN SDGs
Date Published: Nov 20, 2023
Worms and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
A Faculty of Education vermicompost project is one of many examples of UN SDGs activities happening at Queen’s.
Date Published: Oct 20, 2023
Are we taking enough action on the United Nations' SDGs?
Queen's researchers and student reflect on experience at the SDG Action Weekend in New York City.
Read the full article
About Dr. Heather Aldersey
Heather Aldersey, MSEd, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Queen’s National Scholar in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. She holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Disability Inclusive Development. She is also the Scientific Director for the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation, a Queen’s Health Sciences Research Centre. Her research explores natural and formal supports for people with disabilities and their families in Canada and in a number of contexts internationally.
Share your story
To participate and share any UN SDG work currently happening at Queen’s, fill out the form below.