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Canvas - How do I add pronouns to my account?
Why Add Your Pronouns
While many of us use binary pronouns like he or she, many others may use non-binary pronouns that people outside the LGBTQ+ community are unfamiliar with. Identifying your pronouns helps to bridge the gap and encourage cisgender folx to become better allies to non-binary communities. You cannot be certain of another person's pronouns without outright asking them. Asking instead of assuming pronouns is a basic way to indicate that you acknowledge and respect this person and their identity.
For more, see the UWL Pride Center FAQ on pronouns.
Where to Add Your Pronouns
Open Account > Settings > Edit Settings to select from a dropdown of pronouns. This Canvas feature does not currently allow for fill-in or multiple pronouns.
Pronoun options are:
| None | Ae/aer | Pers/pers | Ve/ver |
| Any Pronouns | Ey/em | She/her | Xe/xem |
| Use my name | He/him | She or they | Ze/hir |
| Ask me privately | He or they | They/them | Zie/zir |
Here is a Canvas Guide for students; here is a Canvas Guide for instructors.
Where Your Pronouns Show
Pronouns will display after your name in many areas throughout Canvas.
For Students
| Will my pronouns display on... | To other students? | To instructor(s)? |
| the people page? | Yes | Yes |
| discussion posts? | Yes |
Yes |
| the inbox? | Yes | Yes |
| my profile? | Yes | Yes |
| peer review? | Yes | Yes |
| assignment submission details? | No | Yes |
For Instructors
| Will my pronouns display on... | To students? |
| the people page? |
Yes |
| discussion posts? |
Yes |
| the inbox? |
Yes |
| my profile? |
Yes |
| announcements? | Yes |
Using Pronouns in the Classroom
Students who are accorded respect by having their designated pronoun used benefit academically from being in a more inclusive environment.
If a student has their pronouns listed in Canvas, take the time to find and use the pronouns when communicating with that person in or out of class. Selected pronouns can be viewed for all students from the “People” area. If there are no pronouns listed in Canvas, ask for pronouns. Calling students by their name is also a welcoming and inclusive approach.
To instructors -- For more information about using pronouns in the classroom, see this guide to pronouns as a foundation of inclusive teaching:
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, The Educator's Playbook: Respecting pronouns in the classroom
Notes
Integrated tools such as Akindi, iClicker, Respondus Lockdown Browser, etc., do not currently support displaying pronouns. Canvas will not sync selected pronouns to other systems on campus. Reports cannot be run from Canvas about usage of pronouns.
UW System also has a guide on configuring your pronouns in Canvas.