Gender, sexuality, and women's studies

Curious how ideas about gender and sexuality impact society? Learn about how social movements and political activism can change the world in this interdisciplinary field of study. The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (GSWS) at Simon Fraser University grew from the first women’s studies program in Canada. The department aims to bring feminist, queer, and intersectional understandings to the analysis of power and how it operates locally and transnationally. Promote critical research and scholarship, engaged teaching, and meaningful community service in a nurturing environment.

About GSWS

The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (GSWS) offers major, joint major, minor, and extended minor programs.

We also have an active student union which has organized many fun on-campus events such as movie screenings, seminars and panels, and barbeques. The GSWS Student Union actively participates in a variety of on and off campus events and initiatives that advance gender inclusivity and sexual diversity including faculty conversations, peaceful protests, and community organizing.

Career pathways

Graduate with a wealth of knowledge about human rights, social justice, political activism, and the intersection of gender and other structures of power such as race, class, ethnicity, and ability. Learn to view these issues through the perspectives and methodologies of cultural and media studies, history, social science, science studies and more. Develop transferable skills that are highly valuable in many professions.

Our students have succeeded in many different careers including: