At the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, student-led initiatives often speak volumes—but this year’s issue of That’s What [We] Said, the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies (GWST) student journal, is doing something more: it’s asking questions.
Centered on the theme “What If…”, the 2026 issue invites readers into a space of speculation, creativity, and critical reflection. The result is a vibrant collection of writing that explores possibility—not just in theory, but in lived experience.
Behind the issue is a six-person student editorial collective, led in many ways by English and Cultural Studies student Ally Shorter, alongside Soha Aftab, Riya Gupta, Leahna Afseth, Simar Sandhu, and Juhi Sarvaiya. While the journal operates as a non-hierarchical collective, Ally took on a key organizational role—helping guide the journal from early concept through to publication. Entirely student-driven, the team led every stage of the process: curating submissions, shaping the editorial vision, and organizing a launch event that brought the work to life.
“The theme ‘What If…’ opened up room for people to imagine alternatives—to question norms, explore identity, and think creatively about the future,” says Soha.
That openness resonated. This year’s issue drew a record-breaking 47 submissions, reflecting both the reach of the journal and the appetite among students for spaces that encourage critical and creative expression—particularly for voices within LGBTQIA+ and queer communities on campus.
The editorial process itself was deeply collaborative. Responsibilities were shared across the collective, with members contributing based on their strengths and interests—from editing and visual art curation to event planning and promotion. The team also embraced creative outreach strategies, including handmade zines distributed across campus, helping to expand awareness and engagement in unexpected ways.
While the journal is student-led, the collective is supported each year by a GWST faculty liaison who provides guidance, connects students with institutional resources, and helps sustain the journal’s continuity. In recent years, that role has been held by various GWST faculty members, with Heather Latimer stepping in as the incoming liaison. The journal is housed through the UBC Okanagan Library as an open-access publication—an important feature that aligns with its commitment to accessibility and the broad sharing of knowledge.
But the impact of the project extended well beyond the page.
To celebrate the launch, the editorial collective organized a dynamic, community-centered event that blended readings with creative engagement. In addition to featuring published authors, the evening included an open mic session, inviting attendees to share their own poetry and prose. The event drew between 80 and 100 attendees and featured participation from a range of campus groups, creating an inclusive and collaborative space that reflected the journal’s core values.
“The launch really showed what makes this journal special,” says Ally. “It’s not just about the publication—it’s about bringing people together to share ideas, creativity, and community.”
Front Row (left to right): Leahna Afseth, Simar Sandhu, Juhi Sarvaiya Back Row: (left to right): Soha Aftab, Riya Gupta, Ally Shorter, Abi Creswick
From navigating tight timelines and budget challenges to coordinating printing and event logistics, the team worked collectively to problem-solve and support one another. That sense of shared ownership extended to every aspect of the journal, including its visual identity, developed in collaboration with undergraduate designer Abi Creswick, whose work brought the collective’s vision to life.
For the editorial team, the experience underscores what makes student-led initiatives so powerful.
“There’s something really meaningful about students creating opportunities for each other,” Soha reflects. “It’s about building spaces where people feel heard.”
“That’s What [We] Said is undoubtedly a vibrant student journal that provides space for the expression of a diversity of students and other campus members’ creative and scholarly works,” says Sue Frohlick, Professor of Anthropology and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at UBC Okanagan and the journal’s current faculty liaison. “The journal is also lived experience with community building, activism, friendship, and ‘radical care’ for the students who form the editorial collective and become a close-knit group over the eight months it takes to produce the annual issue. For Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, the journal matters because it has an indelible impact on the students involved and the worlds that they envision in the future.”
Supported by the Irving K. Barber Endowment Fund, That’s What [We] Said continues to grow as a platform for undergraduate voices at UBC Okanagan. More than a publication, it represents a model of experiential learning—one where students take ownership of ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and engage deeply with the world around them.
As this year’s issue demonstrates, sometimes the most important question isn’t what is—but what could be.
Interested in being part of next year’s issue? The That’s What [We] Said editorial collective is always looking for new student voices to join the team. Students interested in writing, editing, design, event planning, or helping shape the future of the journal are encouraged to get involved and contribute to this ongoing space for creativity, collaboration, and community-building at UBC Okanagan.