Queen’s has sent out a survey meant to identify gaps in the student experience and equity.
The 2026 Shift Survey was released on Jan. 27, and is the third iteration of its kind, designed to collect feedback from students on equity, safety, and the overall student experience at Queen’s. The information collected’s intended to guide and inform decisions about the University’s services, supports, and future. The Survey was sent to all second-and third-year undergraduates and all graduate and professional students, while first-and fourth-year undergraduates were sampled at 50 per cent.
Prior to the 2026 Shift Survey, the University conducted surveys in 2021 and 2023. Findings from the 2021 survey led to the creation of the Shift Project, an initiative led by the Division of Student Affairs and the Human Rights and Equity Office. The project focuses on centring the voices of equity-deserving students and organizes events and initiatives aimed at promoting equity, safety, and a more inclusive campus environment.
In a statement to The Journal, Queen’s stated that the 2026 survey is meant to build on the 2021 and 2023 data by focusing on core questions that allow Queen’s to identify patterns, trends, weaknesses, or gaps in the student experience over time. The survey’s also meant to ensure that all decisions are grounded in student feedback.
“It also provides updated insight into current and emerging issues, ensuring decisions are grounded in lived student experiences. Based on student feedback, this year’s survey has been streamlined to focus on the most relevant and actionable questions.”
According to Queen’s, the survey questions were developed in consultation with various campus offices, including Student Affairs, Equity and Inclusion, Human Rights and Indigenous Initiatives, Institutional Research, and Teaching Support. Once results are collected, students will help review the data and guide follow-up actions.
Additionally, the survey data will be analyzed and released university-wide by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.
“The results will be used across the university to inform planning, policy development, and program improvements related to student supports, teaching and learning environments, safety, and campus culture,” the University wrote.
The Journal also sat down for an interview with Queen’s Rector Niki Boytchuk-Hale, who has been promoting student engagement with the survey through video collaborations with the Shift Project and the Rector’s Digest.
Boytchuk-Hale stated that, although she wasn’t directly involved in creating the 2026 survey, she’ll use the data to inform her actions on the bodies and committees she sits on, including the Board of Trustees.
“I’m certain that we’ll be able to figure out a way to include information from those survey results in like essentially every committee around our campus,” she continued, “We’re in the business of education and student experience, and so every committee we do really should have that in mind.”
Additionally, Boytchuk-Hale emphasized the importance of high student participation in the 2026 survey, noting that the more students who complete the form, the more influential student voices will be in informing University decisions.
“If a very large number of students come out and fill out the survey, it’s going to send a really big message to the university that students really care about their experiences,” she said.
Students who didn’t receive an email and wish to complete the survey may request it by emailing irpsurv@queensu.ca. The survey will close on Feb. 17.
Tags
Equity, shift survey, Student experience
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