What is Thriving On Campus?

Thriving On Campus (TOC) is a multi-year campus climate study and change project. Using mixed methods, we explored the experiences, perceptions, strengths, wellbeing, and academic development of diverse 2SLGBTQ+ university students throughout Ontario, as well as the 2SLGBTQ+ policies, facilities, and resources available on campuses. As a change project, we emphasized affecting campus policies, services, and practices through various knowledge mobilization activities, such as institutional and community reports, webinars, and our virtual conference series, Thriving On Campus: Fostering the Inclusion, Wellbeing, and Academic Success of Diverse 2SLGBTQ+ University Students in Ontario through Learning and Action.

Rooted in the principles of community-based research, TOC was guided by an advisory committee representing student and 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and the student affairs field. The advisory committee informed the study’s design, implementation, and knowledge mobilization plan.

Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Woodford, TOC was implemented by an interdisciplinary academic research team comprised of emerging and established scholars from education, leisure studies, psychology, and social work. Since TOC started, nearly 70 undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students and post-docs have supported the project’s implementation as research

What were Thriving On Campus‘ primary research activities?

Phase 1:  Focus groups and online survey to evaluate scales developed to assess perceived 2SLGBTQ+ campus climate, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual identity (Spring 2018, Fall 2018)

Phase 2:  Scan of the 2SLGBTQ+ policies, resources, and services available at Ontario universities (Summer-Fall 2018)

Phase 3:  A province-wide online survey conducted with 2SLGBTQ+ students at Ontario university (Winter 2019)

Phase 4:  Follow-up interviews with a subsample of 2SLGBTQ+ students from the survey (Fall 2019-Summer 2020)

What was the purpose of Thriving On Campus‘ virtual conference series?

To facilitate change on campuses, the series brought together over 300 campus-based service providers and policymakers from Ontario universities and other Canadian universities to learn about the experiences of diverse 2SLGBTQ+ students and ways to promote their belonging, wellbeing, and academic success, including for students often excluded from the “LGBT” acronym, such as racialized and disabled 2SLGBTQ+ students. In addition to keynote addresses, lightning talks, workshops, and panel discussions, attendees participated in service-specific workgroups and university-specific workgroups to share learnings, information, and experiences, and identify priorities for creating safe, inclusive campus environments where 2SLGBTQ+ students can thrive, including the development of socially responsive campus services. These collaborative workgroups were instrumental in supporting action planning needed to translate research findings into practice. The series was supported by a coordinators groups comprised of a staff representatives from participating Ontario universities.

Why was Thriving On Campus needed?

In Canada, research on 2SLGBTQ+ campus climate is still emerging, as are inclusive campus programs and services. Existing research, primarily from the United States suggests that 2SLGBTQ+ students often feel unsafe and face discrimination on university campuses, which can threaten their wellbeing and academic development. Other research highlights the strengths and resiliency of 2SLGBTQ+ students, and various factors, including 2SLGBTQ+ facilities and supports that can foster their wellbeing and success.

Little is known about the experiences, wellbeing, and academic development of 2SLGBTQ+ university students in Canada, and ways to foster their belonging. TOC fills this gap by providing students, student groups, service providers, policymakers, and researchers with a holistic picture of the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ university students in Ontario, including how campus climate can positively and negatively impact 2SLGBTQ+ students and ways to foster students’ inclusion and resilience.

Ultimately, our findings, policy and practice recommendations, and featured inclusion strategies aide–and continue to aid–service providers and policymakers in effectively supporting diverse 2SLGBTQ+ students through evidence-based policies and services.

Thriving On Campus is the first large-scale 2SLGBTQ+ campus climate study of its kind in Canada.

Why use 2SLGBTQ+?

When TOC began, the acronym LGBTQ2S+ was used to reflect the sexual and gender diversities of students throughout Ontario. “2S” was included to make visible the identities of Indigenous Two-Spirit students in relation to their sexuality and/or gender identity. Now, in recognition of the importance of the lands we live, study, work, and play on, and to support decolonization, we use 2SLGBTQ+.

How was Thriving On Campus funded?

Thriving On Campus was funded in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Insight Grant — TOC study; Connection Grant — TOC virtual conference) as well as Wilfrid Laurier University’s Centre for Leading Research in Education, Division of Student Affairs, Manulife Centre for Community Health Research, and Office of Research Services.

Acknowledgements

We thank our funders, advisory committee members, student researchers, and staff on campuses who supported our project’s implementation. Special thanks to the 2SLGBTQ+ students who shared their stories, experiences, insights, and recommendations for change through the online survey and interviews. We also express gratitude to the 300+ campus-based service providers and policymakers from Ontario universities and beyond who participated in our virtual conference series to make change on their campuses. We thank you for your desire to learn, and your support for 2SLGBTQ+ students through the implementation of socially responsive policies and services on your campuses.

More Information

For more information, please contact, Dr. Michael Woodford, Principal Investigator, mwoodford@wlu.ca