Community engagement encompasses coursework, co-curricular activities, and research that foster collaborations between universities and their communities. At ĂŰĚŇ´«Ă˝, these activities are designed to create mutual benefits for both students and community partners.
Participating in community engagement allows you to apply what you’ve learned throughout your degree and develop your professional skills. You’ll get hands-on experience by working with community and industry partners on projects that will create an impact. Your community engagement experiences will help you stand out when applying to jobs or pursuing further studies.
Community engagement at Queen’s helps students develop professional skills in areas like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These are identified through the , which assist students in recognizing and building on their strengths in various skill areas, such as adaptability, collaboration, and critical thinking—skills highly sought by employers.
Queen’s collaborates with industry, community, and government partners. This includes businesses, not-for-profits, city management and more. You can choose projects working on topics or partnering with organizations that interests you.
No, you do not need previous experience to get involved in community engagement projects at Queen’s. The university provides numerous opportunities for students from all backgrounds to participate in community engagement, whether through courses, co-curricular activities, or research. These opportunities are designed to help students develop professional skills and gain hands-on experience, even if they haven't been involved in similar projects before.
Community engagement is meant to be a learning process where students apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges, collaborate with diverse partners, and receive feedback from experts. Tools such as the Queen’s Skill Cards support students in identifying and developing their strengths, ensuring that no prior experience is necessary to contribute meaningfully. By participating, students can grow their skill set while making a positive impact in the community.
There are various pathways for students to get involved in community engagement, both within their academic programs and through co-curricular activities. Here’s how you can find and participate in these opportunities:
- Through your courses
- Many academic programs incorporate community engagement into their curriculum, allowing students to apply knowledge in real-world settings.
- Courses: Consult with your academic advisor or course instructors to identify courses that include community-based projects or placements.
- Co-curricular activities
- The Queen’s Community Engagement Framework provides structured pathways for students to engage with local, national and global communities.
- How to Find:
- Community Engagement Website: Visit the Queen’s Community Engagement page for resources, upcoming events, and contact information for community engagement coordinators.
- Student Clubs and Societies: Explore the website to discover student-run clubs and societies focused on community service and outreach.
- Partnered research initiatives
- Engage in research projects that address community needs through collaborations between faculty members and community organizations.
- How to Find:
- School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs: Explore current projects and initiatives on the PhD-Community Initiative page.
- Faculty Research Pages
All faculties and schools at Queen’s offer courses including community engagement. Talk to your academic advisor to discover which courses you can take to get credit for your community engagement.
You can log your community engagement experiences by completing your Community Engagement Record, a document capturing your curricular, co-curricular, and research community engagement experiences during your time at Queen’s. The Community Engagement Record is currently in development, so stay tuned for more information and to access the form!
The Community Engagement Record (CER) will be a downloadable portfolio of your engagement experiences through coursework, co-curricular activities, and research while at Queen’s. The CER process will include skill self-assessment quizzes and reflection modules to support you in ethical and sustainable community engagement. Once launched, you will be able to start your CER anytime and share it with future employers or program admissions.
Balancing community engagement with academic responsibilities requires careful planning, effective time management, and clear communication. Here are some strategies collected from :
- Communicate Effectively
- With Community Partners: Be transparent about your academic schedule and any constraints, especially around exam periods or major assignment deadlines. This will help manage expectations and avoid last-minute surprises.
- With Instructors and Advisors: Inform your instructors about your community engagement commitments, particularly if they might impact your ability to meet course deadlines. Advisors can provide guidance on managing workload or adjusting academic plans.
- Plan Ahead
- Set Clear Goals: Define your learning and engagement goals at the start of the term. Understanding what you hope to achieve through community engagement can help prioritize tasks and manage your workload.
- Create a Schedule: Allocate specific blocks of time for community engagement activities, coursework, and personal responsibilities. Make use of planners or digital calendars to keep track of deadlines and commitments.
- Prioritize Tasks
- Focus on High-Impact Activities: Prioritize community engagement activities that align closely with your academic goals and offer the most learning and personal growth opportunities.
- Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your commitments as needed. If academic pressures increase, consider scaling back on community engagement temporarily or focusing on less time-intensive activities.
- Reflect and Evaluate
- Regular Reflection: Reflect on your community engagement experiences to identify what is working well and what can be improved. This can help you make informed decisions about how to adjust your commitments.
- Feedback Loop: Seek feedback from your community partners and instructors to ensure you are meeting expectations while balancing your academic workload.
Getting involved in community-engaged research at Queen’s University involves several steps, and there are plenty of resources to help you along the way. Here’s how you can get started:
- Explore Opportunities: Check department websites or speak with faculty about ongoing community-engaged research projects.
- Join Community Engagement Courses: Enroll in courses with research components or join co-curricular research initiatives.
- Use University Resources: Visit the Experiential Learning Hub and attend workshops on community-engaged research.
- Focus on Impact: Participate in projects that turn research into actionable community tools, policies, or resources.
In the media
Oct 20, 2025
Building community connections
Queen’s celebrates the launch of a new community engagement framework and website with a day of collaboration and relationship-building.
Oct 16, 2025
Strategies for increasing accessibility in teaching and learning
The Centre for Teaching and Learning is hosting a speaker series that aims to foster dialogue on disability and provide practical solutions for making courses more accessible.
Oct 14, 2025
Fall activities emphasize responsibility and community
Community partners are working together to provide a range of programming and activities on campus in the busy fall season, including Homecoming.