All staff are encouraged to attend one of the All Staff Sessions happening this week and next.   

These sessions will provide an invaluable opportunity to hear from the senior leadership team on current developments and issues. There will also be time to ask questions and engage in conversations about the topics that matter most to you. 

The sessions will take place as follows:  

• Tuesday 27 May, 12.00pm to 1.00pm, David Keir Building, 0G/115
• Thursday 29 May, 2.00pm to 3.00pm, Larmor Lecture Theatre
• Wednesday 4 June, 10.00am to 11.00am, MBC, Lecture Theatre 1
• Wednesday 4 June, 2.00pm to 3.00pm, Peter Froggatt Centre, PFC/0G/007  

Click here to register. 

All staff are asked to please complete an important survey to help inform the development of an integrated strategy for Research and Innovation that will be critical to growth across Northern Ireland.

This is being shared on behalf of PwC, who are conducting this research for the NI Executive’s Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser. PwC/The Executive Office would appreciate receiving your responses as soon as possible. 

• Complete the survey here.

Your views on this are very important and will help inform the integrated strategy being developed to create the conditions for future growth, and for outcomes that will transform the lives of people in NI.

Queen’s has been awarded University of Sanctuary status in recognition of the support we provide to local refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant communities and the enhanced opportunities to access higher education.

As we celebrate the University's 180th anniversary year, this milestone is a testament to the ongoing dedication of staff and students who have worked to ensure that Queen’s is a place of welcome, opportunity and inclusion.

Read more. 

Colleagues are reminded that when engaging external food vendors for any event: it is essential to consult with Campus Food, Drink and Retail for approval.

Additionally, event organisers must refer to the University's Events Safety Policy, which clearly outlines the requirements for external vendors providing food during on-campus events.

Potential suppliers are required to have all necessary documentation, such as valid food hygiene registration, appropriate insurance, and the required gas certifications before participating. Furthermore, the designated locations for food trucks must be approved in advance.

The University is currently advertising the following positions internally:

• 25/112560 – Student Wellbeing Administration Officer, Student and Campus Experience
• 25/112564 - Materials and Characterisation Laboratory Technician, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Queen’s officially launched its 180th anniversary year on Tuesday 20 May, bringing together over 250 students, staff, alumni, community partners, and civic leaders to celebrate the University’s enduring legacy and future ambitions.

Hosted by BBC NI's Mark Simpson, this special drop-in event, blended music, live art, storytelling, and discussion through interviews, networking, and interactive displays.

During the event, it was also announced that Queen’s University Belfast has officially been recognised as a University of Sanctuary, acknowledging its commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive environment for refugees, asylum-seekers and migrant communities. 

• Read the full story here.

As Queen’s University marks its 180th anniversary, staff are invited to help spotlight the extraordinary students from this year’s graduating cohorts who reflect the spirit of our university community and are helping to shape its future. The deadline for responses is Friday 13 June at 4.00pm.

Staff are invited to nominate graduating students who have demonstrated:

• Social Impact – driven change and made a meaningful difference for others;
• Community Spirit – built strong community partnerships and made a tangible difference in people’s lives;
• Resilience – overcome challenges;
• Innovation – embraced creativity and digital tools to solve real-world problems;
• Sustainability – championed action for a more sustainable future.

To nominate a student, please click here.

The Conference and Events team are seeking staff volunteers to help out at Summer Graduation, taking place from Thursday 26 June to Friday 4 July. All help is gratefully received.

• Find out more and apply here.

Staff will soon see the new Phish Alert Button (PAB) appearing in Microsoft Outlook. This feature lets you report suspicious emails with a single click. Colleagues will also soon receive a message prompting you to test the PAB to confirm it is working correctly – simply follow the steps provided.

• Find our more about using the PAB button here.

Phishing involves attackers posing as legitimate sources to trick people into revealing sensitive information like passwords or account details.

Applications are invited for the Queen’s University Teaching Awards 2025. The closing date for receipt of applications is 4.00pm on Thursday 31 July 2025. Queries can be directed to Liz McDowell on e.mcdowell@qub.ac.uk.

• Full details are available on the Centre for Educational Development (CED) website.

The Centre for Educational Development has launched AVA, a new Assessment Virtual Assistant chatbot at Queen’s. AVA aims to make your work easier by providing quick access to assessment policies, guidance on processes, and support with student-related queries. Whether you need a refresher on assessment protocols or immediate answers to common questions, AVA will point you in the right direction.*

During the assessment period, the Assessment Support Hub project team would like to remind staff of the importance of directing students to the Assessment Support Hub digital site at this key time.

The Hub helps students of all levels navigate their assessments at Queen’s by demystifying key concepts, signposting essential services, and providing guidance if things aren’t going as planned.

To mark the early arrival of the Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday 31 May, The Language Centre at Queen’s warmly invites all students, staff, civic partners, and community members to join this Chinese Culture Forum event on Friday 30 May at 1.00pm in the McClay Library Auditorium.

• Find out more and register here.

Recent posts from Queen's Policy Engagement (QPol):

• New policy paper - Non-recent Institutional Abuses – what might ‘justice’ look like?, by Professor Anne-Marie McAlinden
• How does where we live impact our health and how we age?, by Dr Niamh O’Kane and Professor Ruth Hunter
• Saving the National Cancer Plan: The triumph of evidence over opinion by Professor Mark Lawler
• Exploited Children Need Help, Not Handcuffs by Megan Phair from Invisible Traffick

The Conversation is a news website featuring articles by academics, often republished to global media outlets. Articles by Queen's academics published in The Conversation have been read by 12.5 million people internationally. Read the latest:

• Russia is facing fresh sanctions, but Putin is used to dealing with a struggling economy, by Dr Yerzhan Tokbolat and Dr Moldir Mukan
• Quantum computers could crack the security codes used by satellites – they need future-proofing, by Panagiotis (Panos) Vlachos

Details of ongoing works being carried out across the University campus can be found on the Estates Directorate webpage.

Read the latest staff news stories on the Staff News and Community Gateway:

• Queen’s launches 180th Anniversary with Celebration of Real-World Impact
• Queen’s an official Sanctuary in its 180th Anniversary Year
• New senior appointment: Director of Estates
• Transcript: Video message from the Vice-Chancellor (May 2025)
• Five-star Queen's café wins catering accolade
• Queen’s becomes Ambassador in Council’s Belfast Business Promise
• Queen's staff recognised with high-level award

Colleagues are invited to the Frederick Price Lecture 2025, taking place on Friday 30 May at 11.00am in the South Lecture Theatre, MBC. The guest speaker is the Rt Hon Lord Kakkar who will deliver a talk on 'Health, prosperity and democracy – a role for life sciences?'.

• Please register to attend here.

Staff are invited to the launch event for the 'In Her Own Time' podcast, taking place on Friday 30 May at 6.00pm at Larder East. Everyone is welcome (under 18s with parent or legal guardian).*

'In Her Own Time' is based on research conducted by Dr Livi Dee, School of HAPP, which included interviews with women about their treatment during pregnancy, labour, birth, and their lives as parents. * Please note: this event will include discussions that some people may find upsetting.

• Please register here.

Staff are invited to the following events. Find out more and register at the links below:

• Athena Swan 2025 SSESW Lecture: Legitimising Othering, Reproducing Privilege: A Self-Reflexive Account of a ‘New Indian (Hindu)’ Feminist, Wednesday 28 May, 12.00pm to 1.00pm, Canada Room

The following events, held at the Seamus Heaney Centre, are now open for registration. All are welcome.

• Words in the Air 2025: Thursday 29 May, 7.00pm, Brian Friel Theatre
• Works in Progress: Improv Jam: Saturday 31 May, 4.00pm, Wolfson Lecture Theatre

This week’s new and returning films at Queen’s Film Theatre, your cinema on campus.

• The Phoenician Scheme
• Ocean with David Attenborough
• Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story

The Naughton Gallery invites staff to the launch of 'CRYIN' AT THE GYM' on Thursday 29 May from 5.30pm to 8.00pm, with a live set by DJ Marion Hawkes.

All are welcome. Admission is free. Free refreshments will be provided.

The Naughton Gallery's Art in the A.M. event returns on Friday 30 May. Colleagues are invited to visit the Gallery between 10.00am and 11.00am for tea, coffee, and a guided tour of the new sports exhibition, CRYIN' AT THE GYM, with a selection of artists from the exhibition in conversation with the gallery team. Attendance is free and refreshments are provided.

Please email art@qub.ac.uk to register your interest.

Queen’s University welcomes applications from Queen's academics in Social and Economic disciplines for events for the ESRC Festival of Social Science in Northern Ireland 2025. The festival will take place from 18 October to 8 November 2025.

The deadline for applications is 12.00pm (noon) on Monday 2 June. 

• Find out more here.
• Submit your application here.

• Survey: How are postdocs using their 10 Career Development Days? Help the PDC better understand how staff are using their career development days.
• Postdocs Spotlight UCD x QUB Seminar Series: Data, data everywhere…” But what to do with it?: 30 May (12:30 – 14:30, Hybrid Event)

Academic staff are invited to participate in the blended learning 'Entrepreneurial Education at Queen's' course about embedding entrepreneurial education within the curriculum. This course will run from June to September 2025 with a commitment of attending two workshops during that period. The course is pending SEDA certification.

• Find out more and register via iTrent here

Registration is now open for a new pilot in the CED's professional development Step into Series!

'Step into a Director of Education Role' is a 12-week CPD programme created to support colleagues who are new to, or thinking about stepping into, a Director of Education role.

The programme includes four interactive workshops and three informal peer catch-ups, all designed to help you build confidence, better understand the role and develop your leadership style – without any assignments or submissions. Sessions will be a mix of in-person and online.

• Register on iTrent. Places are limited. 

A half-day workshop focusing on equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support and guide our students. Through interactive sessions and collaborative discussions, you'll gain valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your advising practice.

Connect with fellow advisors, share experiences, and learn from experts in the field as we build a supportive network that fosters student success and enriches our academic community.

• Monday 2nd of June 9.30 am - 2.30pm. In person. Auditorium/McClay Library. Register via iTrent.

The next Advisors of Studies Community of Practice event is an online coffee catch-up.

There will be no formal presentations, so feel free to drop in and leave as your schedule allows. Whether you’re a seasoned Advisor or new to the role, all are welcome

• Date: Thursday 29 May
• Time: 10:00–11:00am
• Location: Microsoft Teams

Staff are invited to view the latest edition of the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work newsletter here.

Staff are invited to attend a panel discussion titled 'Interdisciplinary Critiques of AI' on Wednesday 28 May from 3.00pm to 4.30pm in the Lanyon Building/01/052. 

The panel will feature contributions from key speakers: 

• Edemilson Parana (Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology) 
• Rachel Handley (University College Dublin) 
• Tsvetelina Hristova (University of Southampton) 
• Fintan Mallory (Durham University)

No pre-registration is required.*

• Watch the AI Hub's AI Case Studies of Queen's staff.
• View and use AI Self-Help Guides on the AI Hub.
• Find recordings of the AI Hub's AI Building Blocks sessions.
• Listen to Jisc's Beyond the Technology Podcast, featuring Queen's.

The Safety Training programme for this academic year is available on the University Safety Service Training webpage. The full range of courses can be booked via iTrent Employee Self-Service.

Training sessions for the May and early June are given below. All sessions are in person.