Thriving On Campus, is a multi-year collaboration between Wilfrid Laurier University, McGill University, Université Lavel and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, that explores the experiences, strengths, wellbeing, and academic development of diverse LGBTQ2S+ university students throughout Ontario. It is the first ever Ontario-wide study of 2SLGBTQ+ university students’ experiences. To date, five different studies have been published. You can view the above study, as well as the additional studies on the Community Reports webpage.
In 2022, Woodford et al. released a series of reports on the experiences and perceptions of 2SLGBTQ+ students on university campuses in Ontario. Findings indicate that while 17% percent of overall students reported being verbally threatened, bullied, or intimidated and 14% overall reported being sexually harassed or assaulted, these rates were considerably higher for students belonging to 2SLGBTQ+ community, with trans and nonbinary students being at the highest risk. Experience of discrimination and risk lead to greater psychological distress, lower feelings of satisfaction, higher absenteeism, and greater likelihood to seriously consider leaving the university.
The 2SLGBTQ+ Campus Climate: Students’ Experiences on & Perceptions of Campus report provides:
- Findings about students’ experiences of blatant victimization and subtle microaggressions, and their perceptions of campus climate in terms of 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and safety.
- Findings about how discrimination and perceptions of campus climate affect students’ mental health, social wellbeing, and academics.
- Recommendations for campuses to consider as they work to foster the belonging, wellbeing, and academic success of 2SLGBTQ+ students.
Citation:
Michael R. Woodford, Eric Van Giessen, Harrison Oakes, & the Thriving On Campus team (2022). Thriving On Campus: 2SLGBTQ+ Campus Climate—Students’ Experiences & Perceptions of Campus. Thriving On Campus, Wilfrid Laurier University: Kitchener, ON.