Adding your personal pronouns to Canvas
You now have the choice of adding personal pronouns to your Canvas.
How do I add my personal pronouns to Canvas?
Why using pronouns is beneficial
Pronouns are words used to refer to people (for example, she/her, he/him, or they/them). An easy way to normalise the use of pronouns is to include them in your online presence. There are a few reasons why this is beneficial:
- When cisgender people include pronouns, it normalises it for everyone and protects trans and gender diverse people when they include their pronouns.
- Having pronouns in your online presence makes it clear to everybody what words to use to address you. It also signals you as an ally for our LGBTQIA+, MVPFAFF+ and Takatāpui communities.
- Including pronouns in your Canvas account is a quick and easy way for everyone to have a powerful and positive impact, supporting a safe, inclusive and equitable place for our diverse communities at the University.
Before I start, what are good practices I should use?
Frequently asked questions
Where will other students and staff see my pronouns when I use Canvas?
If you designate pronouns in Canvas, these will display after your name for other students and staff to see when you interact within Canvas, for example in Discussions and in your User Profile. Further information can be found on for students and for staff on the Canvas website.
Your pronouns will not display in tools that are not part of Canvas, but are linked to Canvas, such as Panopto or H5P.
Your pronouns also won’t flow back into SSO, but you can find out more about changing your name on your official university record here.
Your pronouns will also not display in Microsoft 365. You can find out more about adding pronouns on Microsoft 365 on their website.
What will it look like if I don’t designate pronouns in Canvas?
You do not have to designate pronouns. If you do not designate pronouns, then no pronouns will appear next to your name in Canvas.
What pronouns are available?
The pronouns will be available via a drop-down menu in Canvas. The available pronouns are the same pronouns that are available via stickers to put on your Campus Card. These are: None, She/Her, She/They, He/Him, He/They, They/Them, She/he/they, Any pronouns, Other. We will be working to add further pronouns in future.
Can I write-in other pronouns?
Canvas pronouns are only available via a drop-down menu and there is no write-in option.