Professor Muijs congratulated the awardees in an online ceremony on 19th April and in a ceremony held in the Exchange in University Street on 20th April. Professor Muijs commented that 'Queen’s University can be exceptionally proud of our students achievements and, as Head of School, I am honoured to award these Student Citizenship Awards this year'. 

The awardees were chosen by a panel of each of the relevant year’s module convenors and tutors at a meeting chaired by Programme Directors Dr Paul McCafferty (RGR pathway) and Dr Paul Best (UGR pathway). 

The winners of this years awards were:

Level 1: Anna Kirkwood

Anna was nominated for her outstanding achievement by being appointed as patient representative with the Royal College of Psychiatry as a member of the Faculty for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 

Anna’s role involves gathering views from service users and carers to help improve mental health services for young people. Anna hopes to develop media campaigns to help reach young people on a platform that is relevant to them. This role will enable Anna to actively tackle the issues young people face when going through the transition period from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult Mental Health Services.

Level 2: Emma McAlister

Emma was nominated for her outstanding contribution to developing highly innovative practice during her time on placement. 

During her first social work placement, Emma took part in a new pedological approach called the Peer Learning Bubble Model with fellow students from Ulster University. Following this successful experience, Emma was invited to present on this model by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council as part of their engagement event on digital tools within social work education.  Professor Muijs noted 'Emma's involvement in this work has shown great initiative and she has impressed the staff with her knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment during her second year with us'

Level 3: Ioan Racasan

Ioan was nominated for his consistent commitment to social work at Queen’s. Ioan has been involved in a wide variety of activities throughout his time at Queen’s that make him a worthy winner of this award. Some of Ioan’s activities include volunteering for open night, recruitment events and being a peer mentor.

In addition, along with others, Ioan helped organise the very first student conference in October 2022 which was a major success.  Ioan is also a British Association for Social Work Student Ambassador and has taken part in numerous activities associated with this role.  Ioan recently took part in the regional social work conference and successfully chaired one of the parallel sessions at the conference.