FSS Student Experience Fund
The Faculty of Social Sciences Student Experience Fund is designed to support projects and initiatives that enhance the experience of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Faculty programs. Individuals or students clubs or association can submit their projects.
Apply now
Stories of students who have benefited from the Fund
Mei Claire Landon Elander - Youth Challenge International in Ghana
This internship with Youth Challenge International has deepened Mei’s awareness of gender issues and provided a platform for her to become a passionate advocate for gender equality. Through meaningful cross-cultural relationships, she has gained invaluable insights into diverse perspectives. Working directly with young women entrepreneurs in the community, she has developed a nuanced understanding of their successes and challenges, further strengthening her commitment to social impact. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to YCI’s mission of fostering youth innovation, particularly by supporting and learning from extraordinary women entrepreneurs who leverage social entrepreneurship to uplift their communities and safeguard the environment. The experience has not only enriched her understanding of gender dynamics but has also empowered her to become a more empathetic and globally conscious leader.
World Universities' Debating Championship 2025
The World Universities' Debating Championship was a week-long event taking place in Panama that brought together participants from dozens of countries. Participants discussed topics such as the growth of specialized private equity funds, the role of students in Bangladeshi politics, and whether the feminist movement ought to adopt a confrontational or conciliatory approach to activism. Thanks to the support of the Faculty of Social Science' Student Experience Fund, debaters from the uOttawa English Debating Society were able to attend the tournament, meet other debaters from around the world, and invite international participants to attend several upcoming debate tournaments that will be taking place in Ottawa. Overall, WUDC was an incredibly enriching experience and a unique opportunity to improve critical thinking and learn about different perspectives on global issues.
Cindy Aka in Côte d'Ivoire
Cindy Aka, a Conflict Studies and Human Rights student, had the opportunity to participate in an internship in Côte d'Ivoire with the Association des Femmes Juristes de Côte d'Ivoire (AFJCI). This enriching experience enabled her to become actively involved in defending women's and children's rights while working alongside committed jurists. Thanks to this internship, Cindy was able to deepen her knowledge of law and social justice and contribute to local initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and strengthening the protection of human rights in Côte d'Ivoire.
Zulekha Rehman - ECOSOC at the United Nations
Zulekha, a political science student, represented uOttawa at the ECOSOC Youth Forum held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Forum provided a global platform for dialogue among Member States and young leaders from around the world on solutions to challenges affecting youth wellbeing. Through the Forum, Zulekha was given the chance to actively engage with government representatives, youth delegates, and policymakers. She was also allowed to meet the President of ECOSOC, Paula Narváez, and the President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis. Notable figures that joined the Forum include UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs among various other Ministers and government officials.
Student-led Retrospection and Renewal Symposium
The Retrospection and Renewal symposium was a student-led two-day event regrouping graduate students and professors from universities across Canada. During this event, we discussed current issues and realities that shape our understanding of health and medicine. By creating a space for interdisciplinary dialogue based on a shared topical interest, rather than reifying traditional disciplinary boundaries, the symposium provided members of the university community the opportunity to reflect on their research and that of others.
Amy Fatima Tapsoba - Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN)
Amy, a 3rd year student in Economics took part in CWMUN, an international program attended by more than 10,000 willing to debate the major issues of the international political agenda. Participants develop leadership, research, writing, public speaking skills, and problem-solving expertise. It encourages consensus building through mediation and negotiation, conflict resolution, and the ability to rapidly build friendly and profitable relations. Amy shared this testimonial: “It was such an incredible and impactful experience. I represented Zambia and the mission was to advocate for more peace and sustainability in outer space affairs as part of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairscommittee. Not only did I get the chance to attend the conference as a delegate, but I also got to meet new people from all over the world. I finally got to visit the UN headquarters, a dream come true. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and would like to express my sincere thanks once again!"
Canadian University Rowing Championship
Varsity athletes competed at the Canadian University Rowing Championship in Burnaby, BC. This regatta, attended by over twenty Canadian universities, allowed the athletes to compete against the top crews in Canada. The regatta was a resounding success for Social Sciences athletes, notably for Kennedy Burrows, the Women’s Team Captain, who took home the Women’s Athlete of the Year award for her dominating win in the Women’s Lightweight Single, following wins at the Ontario University Athletics Championship in Women’s Lightweight and Open Single. The funding from the Faculty of Social Sciences also helped Angelica Hadjis and Pascal Morimanno achieve top 10 placements in their respective crew boats.
Model Parliament
This International, Political and Policy Studies Student Association committee plans a full year of events, including Model Parliament, where their philosophy “Fake Politics, Real Procedure” comes to life. Participants join fictitious parties and recreate debates in the House of Commons and the Senate. The two-day long event features a debate on proposed legislation, a question period, and highly regarded guest speakers. Previous events have had over 300 participants, as well as speakers such as former NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, former Speaker of the House Peter Milliken, and many more.
Anjana Balachandran - NATO Summit
Anjana Balachandran, a distinguished political science student, had the privilege of representing both Canada and our University at the NATO Youth Summit in Washington, D.C. Representing Canada, Anjana was handpicked due to her commitment to youth advocacy and passion in international security. Engaging in essential dialogues at the summit, she dove into subjects like societal resilience, disinformation, and the fundamentals of democracy. Key figures like NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Czech Republic President General Petr Pavel, and the U.S. graced the event under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland. We beam with pride as she stamps her mark on the global stage, epitomizing the impact our students can have in world affairs.
The Maker Jam Challenge
Students from the Faculty of Social Sciences took part in the Maker Jam challenge, a 36-hour challenge that combines innovation and creativity. Grouped into teams, participants took part in two events: the Game Jam challenged teams to create a game on the topic of ecological crises, and the MakerCon challenged participants to create an innovative and useful product in response to a challenge issued by one or more community members. Students will receive support for the development of the most promising products.
