SPECTRUM stands for Students of Policy Studies Engaging in a Conference to Talk, Research and Understand Public Management.

SPECTRUM was founded in 2007 when a group of students in Carleton University's School of Public Policy and Administration came together to create an annual student-run conference examining Canadian public policy and management issues.

The first conference was held in the fall of 2008 at Carleton University.  Called Band-Aid's and Misdiagnosis, the conference examined health policy issues in Canada and brought together more than 40 graduate and undergraduate students for a day of discussion, seminars and speakers.

This year, Student Action for Sustainability will focus on the National Capital Region and will assess the current state of sustainable and unsustainable practices, discuss the contributions of community groups, students, academics and governments, and provide an opportunity for students to network, learn and contribute to a better understanding of sustainability solutions.