As part of the implementation of Strategy 2030 and following an extensive public recruitment process involving Senate, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer is pleased to announce that Ryan Feeney has been appointed Vice-President Strategic Engagement and External Affairs and will commence in post with immediate effect.

Ryan has been acting in the role since January 2023, and before that was Director of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility at the University. He was also Head of Public Engagement at Queen's from 2016 until 2019. Ryan was Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement for the Police Service of Northern Ireland for three years and was formerly a two-term independent member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. He was also a Visiting Professor in Governance and Public Policy at Ulster University. Ryan has curated and led the organisation of four major international academic conferences, including the recent Agreement 25 events reflecting on the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

The Vice-President Strategic Engagement and External Affairs reports to the President and Vice-Chancellor and is a member of the University Management Board, working as the University’s Chief Officer responsible for all core external activity (except international), which includes Strategic Political and Government Engagement, Social Responsibility and the Social Charter, Civic and Business Engagement, Alumni Engagement, Strategic Communications (internal and external), Philanthropy, and local community and neighbourhood engagement.

Commenting on his appointment, Ryan Feeney said:

“It is a great honour to have been appointed substantively to the post of Vice-President Strategic Engagement and External Affairs. Queen’s is Northern Ireland’s primary driver of change, research and innovation, while also working to shape the future of the 25,000 students who study at the University. Queen’s is an institution with an international reputation for excellence, and I am privileged to have this opportunity to continue to work alongside our outstanding staff team, who make a strong contribution to the implementation of Strategy 2030”.