The journey of a PhD student is not just about research and academics; it also encompasses personal growth, collaboration, and the creation of a community that supports both professional and personal development. The PhD Community Initiative (PhD-CI), led by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA), plays a vital role in bridging the gap between academic research and community-driven action. As a graduate student, I had the privilege of working on a project that aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 17 Rooms exercise. Together with my team, we developed a framework for localizing these global objectives, contributing directly to climate action while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
The PhD-CI initiative was conceived to provide a more holistic approach to graduate education. It recognizes that PhD students’ growth occurs not only within research labs or offices but also through community engagement, skill development, and peer support. This initiative helped me in three major ways:
- Building a supportive community: It offered me the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share experiences with fellow students, ensuring I didn’t feel isolated in my academic journey.
- Enhancing personal and professional development: The initiative provided valuable tools and resources to help navigate challenges, acquire new skills, and prepare for future opportunities.
- Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration: Our team, composed of members from various disciplines, was able to meet and exchange ideas, fostering innovation and broadening our academic perspectives.
My involvement in the PhD Community Initiative has been an invaluable experience, allowing me to apply my academic research to real-world problems. The work we did with Kingston on SDG 13 (Climate Action) is just the beginning, and there are numerous opportunities to build on this foundation. The City of Kingston plans to extend this work by executing full 17 Rooms Exercises across all SDGs, and I’m excited to see how future generations of PhD students will contribute to this important initiative.
For those interested in making a difference in their communities while advancing their academic pursuits, the PhD Community Initiative offers a unique platform that combines academic excellence with community engagement. If you’re at Queen’s University, I highly encourage you to explore this initiative and contribute to the ongoing development of sustainable, inclusive, and actionable solutions for the future.
To learn more about the initiative and how to get involved, visit the official PhD Community Initiative Overview. Don’t miss this year’s capstone event on May 7th at Kingston City Hall, 4:30 PM, where you can hear about the amazing projects graduate students have been working on.