Science Shop are recipients of the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE), which recognises and rewards collaborative work that has had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning.

Science Shop is a community-engaged research and learning initiative creating connections between students at Queen’s University Belfast and community organisations across Northern Ireland.

Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast, said: “I am delighted that Queen’s University has been successful in receiving an Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence.

“The Science Shop project involves multi-disciplinary staff and students working with over 100 community groups based across Northern Ireland. This truly collaborative project enables academics, students and the community to work together to create positive societal change.”

Eileen Martin, Manager of The Science Shop at Queen’s, said: “We are delighted to win this award, which reflects the work we have been carrying out with community partners, students, staff and senior managers across the University to develop and facilitate engaged research projects and to create a strategic context for this work. We are really grateful to all the community partners and academics who have supported our work over the years.”

Dr Emma McKenna, who spearheads The Science Shop’s work at a European level commented; “I am thrilled that The Science Shop has been recognised in this way, showcasing how collaboration between academic and community-based research can tackle societal issues at both local and European levels.”

"It feels like an award for all of us."

Emma McKenna, @QUBScienceShop Co-ordinator on @QUBelfast's first Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence from @AdvanceHE.

Find out more: https://t.co/alQCLTP3dk#LoveQUBstaff #LoveQUB @QUBEngagement @QUBAlumni pic.twitter.com/V3UNXyBhY4

— Queen's Staff (@QUBstaff) August 3, 2023

One of the projects Queen’s Science Shop has been involved in was Fermanagh Community Transport, which provided transport in a rural area. An evaluation highlighted the impact this had for people in the area, particularly for the elderly and disabled members. The NI Executive are now citing the project as an example demonstrating across government departments how rural community transport delivers against multiple departmental policy objectives.

Alison Johns, Chief Executive Advance HE said: “Congratulations to all of the new National Teaching Fellows and CATE teams on this prestigious accolade which recognises and rewards their commitment to teaching and learning and the impact it has on student success.

“It is with great pride that we run these awards for the UK higher education sector designed to celebrate these passionate people who make such a difference to students’ education and to the practice of their colleagues. We look forward to working with the new NTFs and CATE winners and sharing their excellent practice with colleagues around the sector.”

"Give us a shout if you're thinking you might like to have students work on community-engaged research projects.'

Dr Emma McKenna @QUBScienceShop invites interested community organisations & @QUBelfast academics 2 contact the team: https://t.co/MvDDZhHDyv#LoveQUBstaff #LoveQUB pic.twitter.com/N8HnYkCedT

— Queen's Staff (@QUBstaff) August 3, 2023

The Science Shop at Queen’s University is funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund and works collaboratively with The Science Shop at Ulster University.