
21 July 2025

We have recorded our third consecutive year of growth in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS), with students reporting their most positive experience yet.
- The results show overall satisfaction among students rising to 83 percent up from 81 percent in 2024, with gains across every survey category
- For the first time, every Faculty surpassed 80 per cent overall positivity
- and, at subject level, five areas achieved 100 per cent student satisfaction

Since 1845, Queen’s University has shaped lives, driven innovation and strengthened communities. In our 180th year, we want to celebrate the real-world impact of our research, education and partnerships – and the Northern Ireland Science Festival (NISF) provides us with an amazing opportunity to do so.
NISF have opened their call for submissions for events in the festival (11-22 February 2026), and colleagues are asked for their input and collaboration on a University-wide response to the festival in 2026, as part of the celebration of our 180th Anniversary.
We would propose that as many as possible on-campus events take place across the weekend of 13-15 February 2026.
Please share this call with any colleagues or students who you think would be interested, and get in touch with any further questions or suggestions: ScienceFestival-Queens@qub.ac.uk.

As part of the ongoing Digital Transformation strategy, the University is launching a new research ethics management system – QUB Worktribe Ethics. This online platform provides a single end-to-end system for the creation, submission, review and approval of research ethics applications.
The system will be rolled out to the University Faculty and School Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in a phased manner. The onboarding will start with submissions to MHLS Faculty REC, followed by EPS Faculty REC and then all the AHSS School RECs, dates below:
- MHLS Faculty REC launch: 11 August 2025
- EPS Faculty REC launch: 22 September 2025
- All AHSS School RECs launch: 6 October 2025
Guidance documents and instructional materials will be available from 1 August 2025 at the QUB Ethics webpage.
Training will also be provided; sign up for one or more sessions here.
All queries regarding QUB Worktribe Ethics should be submitted to: worktribeethics@qub.ac.uk.

As part of the UK Government's National Security Act 2023, the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) came into effect on 1 July 2025.
Registration is mandatory if you are involved in an arrangement which meets all of the following four conditions:
- An arrangement with a specified foreign power or entity; and
- A direction or instruction from that foreign power or entity; and
- The relevant activity is being carried out in the UK (this may be formal (for example, research) or informal (for example, a verbal agreement); and
- The activity is not an exempted activity under the Scheme.

Following the academic staff briefings on 3 July, we are seeking further feedback from academic colleagues on proposed Changes to Academic Progression Policy and Profiles.
Your perspective is crucial in shaping these important changes.
- Please share your feedback using the form at this link by Friday 8 August.
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 University is currently recruiting to a number of positions internally.
Staff can view internal and external vacancies through iTrent Employee Self-Service.

The Staff Round Up Summer schedule continues. The next fortnightly editions will be published as follows:
- Monday 4 August
- Monday 18 August
The Staff Round Up will resume its weekly schedule from Monday 1 September.

To facilitate the year end process, please note the following arrangements for raising sales invoices to customers for activities carried out prior to 31 July 2025:
Qfis Sales order invoices
- Up to 31 July 2025: All sales orders relating to activities completed prior to 31 July 2025 should be fully approved and posted to QFIS by 4pm on Thursday 31 July 2025. Invoices in progress but not fully approved by 31 July 2025, will be posted to the new year.
- Friday 1 August 2025 – Friday 8 August 2025: Sales order function will be available on QFIS but during this period there will be a delay in the email and posting of invoices. Invoices raised during this period will be emailed to initiators and posted to QFIS in the August 2025 period (202501) from 8.00am 11 August 2025.
- Any sales orders raised from 1 August 2025 relating to activities carried out in the period prior to 31 July 2025 should be clearly identified as relating to financial year 2024-25 using the GL reference field and the invoice text. By exception and where material, manual adjustments will be made by the Accounting Services section of Finance to the 2024-25 accounts.
- From Monday 11 August 2025: Sales order invoicing will operate as normal. All fully approved sales orders will be posted in financial year 2025-26.
If you have any queries, please contact the Accounting Services section of Finance by emailing sorequests@qub.ac.uk.

All Queen's staff and students are invited to the annual Queen’s Pride Picnic on Wednesday 23 July from 12.00pm to 2.00pm. This free celebration event will include music, entertainment, and the opportunity to purchase food and drinks from the on-site food trucks and ice-cream cart.
Belfast Pride Parade
Queen’s is proud to confirm that we will be marching in the centrepiece Belfast Pride Parade this year, on Pride Day, Saturday 26 July. All Queen’s staff and students, and their friends and families, are welcome to join in celebrating LGBTQIA+ people in Belfast and beyond.
More information
Belfast Pride Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Belfast, and this year the festival will run from Friday 19 July to Sunday 28 July with Pride Day and the centrepiece Pride Parade on Saturday 26 July. The Belfast Pride Parade is the main event in the LGBTQIA+ calendar, a major city event and the biggest cross-community parade in Belfast.
There will be light breakfast refreshments, coffee, and an opportunity to meet, chat and get ready for the parade before the parade; location and time to follow.
The parade will leave at 1.00pm sharp and further information on the route and parade can be found on the Belfast Pride Parade website.
All participants will be provided with branded wristbands allocated by the festival, and only those with wristbands can participate. Queen's has a limited number of wristbands, so please only register if you can join us.

Step away from your desk and into nature! Join Active Campus every Wednesday this Summer for a refreshing stroll through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, taking time to relax, recharge and connect with colleagues in a calm and scenic setting.
- Every Wednesday at 1.15pm for a 20-minute walk
- Meet at the front of the Lanyon Building

The following courses are available to support staff wellbeing within Queen’s. Please register via iTrent Self-Service,* unless otherwise indicated. *Search for 'Wellbeing' to see available courses.
- Financial Advice 1-to-1 Sessions: 29 July and 30 July (in person). Book directly via the provider here.
- Substance Misuse Awareness: 20 August (online)
- Communicating with Empathy and Understanding Through Change: 28 August (online)
- Working through Change and Building Resilience: 17 September, 22 October, 20 November and 17 December (online)
- Stress Management Policy – The Line Manager's Role: 23 September (online)

The annual Marine Lab Open Day will take place on Saturday 2 August from 10.00am to 3.00pm alongside Portaferry Sails and Sounds Festival. This is an accessible, free, family friendly event. Come along and meet the scientists working at the lab, see the wave tank in action, and meet some local marine life from Strangford Lough.
This is a drop in event. Booking is not required.
The Lab will be joined by colleagues from Ulster Wildlife, NI Marine Task Force and maybe even some Vikings! The Marine Lab is located at 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry and access to the event is via the Lifeboat Station at the Portaferry Shore.
For further information please contact Queen's Marine Lab technician Emma Healey at: e.gorman@qub.ac.uk.
As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to supporting managers across Queen’s in leading their teams through change, we’re pleased to share the Leading Change Toolkit.
Effective communication is essential for successful change - it must be clear, consistent, and engaging.
The Leading Change Toolkit provides managers with practical resources, expert tips, and guidance to facilitate open dialogue, encourage active listening, and promote meaningful engagement throughout every stage of the change process.
- Download the Template Communication Plan
- Read the guidance on managing difficult conversations
- Watch this short video for tips and guidance on communicating change effectively
- Click here to access the Leading Change Toolkit
If you require further information or support, please contact your local HR Business Partner, or email: hrhub@qub.ac.uk.

The current Co-Chairs of iRise – the University's Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network – are completing their term. Expressions of Interest are now invited for the two Co-Chair positions, which opens a development opportunity for new colleagues to be involved in the network.
- Staff interested in the roles are asked to please complete this Microsoft form before close of business on Friday 1 August.
The Co-Chair role can be shared by more than two people and the roles are available for one year, with the option to extend. The roles are time-consuming, and it is recommended you talk with your line manager about recognising the extra commitment(s) in your workload. It is hoped the new Co-Chairs will take up the role in September. If you wish to discuss the role, you can also contact current the Co-Chairs:
- Gulseli Baysu: g.baysu@qub.ac.uk
- Eyad Abu-Khiran: e.abu-khiran@qub.ac.uk

The University and the Students’ Union encourage all staff to familiarise themselves with our online reporting tool, Report and Support. This system enables students to request support if they have experienced or witnessed:
- bullying;
- harassment;
- hate crime;
- and/or sexual misconduct.
There is also an option for staff or students to make a report on behalf of another student and anonymous reports can be made too. Advice and Guidance for staff on supporting disclosures is available from the Safe and Healthy Relationships website.
Read more Read lessWe are developing a digital strategy that will improve your experience at work, enhance how we deliver for our students, and enable us to operate more sustainably, both environmentally and financially.

As part of the University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and supportive workplace, we’re pleased to announce that all Queen’s staff – and their families – now have free access to Read&Write for Work.
Originally developed to assist neurodivergent users – including those with dyslexia – Read&Write for Work offers a suite of discreet, user-friendly tools to help individuals of all abilities with reading, writing, and communication.
- Text-to-Speech: Reads on-screen text aloud with visual highlighting to support understanding and boost retention;
- Screen Masking: Reduces visual stress with customisable colour overlays and a focused reading pane – helpful for anyone sensitive to colour or light;
- Check It: Provides an advanced, dyslexia-friendly spelling and grammar checker that includes word suggestions and dictionary definitions to support clear, confident writing;
- Dictation: Converts speech to text, making it ideal for hands-free writing or note-taking. Great for multitasking, saving time, and reducing screen fatigue;
- Scan and PDF Reader: Converts paper documents or inaccessible PDFs into editable, accessible formats for easier use.

A reminder that staff leaving the University must return all university-issued IT equipment prior to their employment end date. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Laptops, desktops, and monitors
- Mobile devices, such as phones or tablets
- Peripheral hardware, including monitors, headphones, keyboards, mice, docking stations and power supply
- Storage devices such as external hard drives or USB drives
The equipment should be returned to the IT Helpdesk or to a designated IT Officer.
Further information and Support
Read the University-Owned IT Devices Policy.
If you have any questions about the policy or need support with the return process, please do not hesitate to contact the IT Helpdesk:
- itservicedesk@qub.ac.uk
- +442890973760

The Postdoc Showcase 2025, celebrating Queen's postdocs and research staff, will take place on Friday 26 September from 9.30am to 6.00pm in The Canada Room/Council Chamber under the theme 'Voices of the Future: Postdocs Shaping Tomorrow'. There is still time to register and submit an abstract.
- The deadline for submission of abstracts to present a talk or poster has been extended to Friday 25 July at 23.59pm.
- Colleagues can register to attend and submit an abstract here.
- Find out more about the event here.
This event is an opportunity for all research staff at Queen's to showcase their research, learn about others' research, and network with other postdocs. Come and discover how research from postdocs and research staff across our university is helping to shape a better future.

Recent posts from Queen's Policy Engagement (QPol):
- Cold public attitudes in the face of the climate crisis, by Professor Katy Hayward, Dr Jonny Hanson and Dr Paula Devine
- The new African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, by Dr Ronagh McQuigg
- The Serendipity of Science: COVID's Silver Lining, by Professor Mark Lawler
- Saving the National Cancer Plan: The triumph of evidence over opinion by Professor Mark Lawler
To contribute an article to Queen's Policy Engagement, please email Kevin at qpol@qub.ac.uk.

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 23.8 million people internationally.
Read the latest:
- Rightwing populist Sanseitō party shakes Japan with election surge, by Dr Rin Ushiyama
- Russian Imperial Movement: how a far-right group outlawed by the UK is spreading terror across Europe, by Dale Pankhurst
- Action is the antidote to ecological grief and climate anxiety – an ecotherapist explains, by Dr Louise Taylor
- Golden eagles were reintroduced to Ireland, but without prey they’re now struggling to thrive, by Dr Fiona McAuliffe (Scotland's Rural College) and Dr Neil Reid (QUB)
- Is your cat vocal or quiet? The explanation could be in their genes, by Dr Grace Carroll

Read the latest staff news stories on the Staff News and Community Gateway:
- Queen’s awarded £4.35 million in new funding to recruit world’s top researchers
- Queen’s Technician Awarded Prestigious Papin Medal
- Queen’s celebrates three years of rising student satisfaction in landmark national survey results
- Queen’s climbs global Impact Rankings and excels in the Sustainable Development Goals
- In Pictures: Summer Graduation 2025
- Queen's researcher co-winner of ‘Outstanding Pharmacy Early-Career Researcher Award’
- Queen’s Reboot Café wins Innovation in Student Experience Award at the CUBO Awards
- Queen’s Professor hosts international critical care trials conference in Belfast
- Queen’s recognised for commitment to Fairtrade standards with Fairtrade University Award
- In Pictures: Queen’s Marks Refugee Week 2025
- Queen’s academic awarded prestigious Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship

Joining Queen's as a student and then as a lecturer in French, Dr Poppy Boyd now works as a Language Support Officer and is one of the Staff Forum representatives for the Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Directorate.
- Profile: Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Directorate Staff Forum Representative, Dr Poppy Boyd.
Queen's Staff Forum was established in June 2018. Made up of representatives from each School, Directorate and GRI across Queen's, this group represents all of our people and provides an opportunity for staff to share their views on all aspects of working at Queen's, help shape the employee experience, and make a real difference for all who work here.

Staff are invited to view the summer edition of the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work newsletter here.
If you would like to be added to the School's newsletter email distribution list, please email sseswmedia@qub.ac.uk.

All staff interested in the advancement of clinical trials across industry, healthcare, and academia are warmly invited to the Lewis J Hurwitz Lecture 2025 and Collaborative Industry Clinical Trial Awards event on Wednesday 10 September from 9.00am to 1.00pm in the Basement Seminar Room, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute, Health Sciences campus. Tea and coffee will be provided.
The keynote Memorial Lecture will be delivered by world-leading researcher in diabetes, Professor Melanie Davies. The event will also feature expert perspectives from industry and academic leaders on the current landscape and future of clinical trials in Northern Ireland; and presentations from the shortlisted candidates for the 2025 Collaborative Industry Clinical Trial Award, followed by a live audience poll and award presentation.

The Business Alliance Team has launched the 2026 Collaborative Studentship call. The University has committed to a number of studentships*, commencing in October 2026, for projects across the institution that will involve significant work with a non-academic partner. Partnerships with private sector industry, government departments, agencies and voluntary sector organisations that meet the above criteria will all be considered.
- Full information on the call can be found on the Business Engagement and Partnering SharePoint site.
- Applications should only be made via this form.
Timeline for the call:
- Competition opens: 16 June 2025
- Competition closes: 11.59pm on 22 September 2025
- Decision to Applicants: week ending 7 November 2025
For assistance in any aspect of this competition please contact:
- Agri-food and Nutrition – Dr Andrew Baxter: a.baxter@qub.ac.uk
- AHSS – Mr Kevin Fearon: k.fearon@qub.ac.uk
- EPS – Dr Alistair Quinn: aquinn@qub.ac.uk
- Medicine and Health – Dr Maeve Murphy: maeve.murphy@qub.ac.uk
- Overall call – Mrs Clare McAuley: c.mcauley@qub.ac.uk
* These studentships are funded by the Department for the Economy NI and the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council Doctoral Training Programme.

Details of ongoing works being carried out across the University campus can be found on the Estates Directorate webpage.
This week’s new and returning films at Queen’s Film Theatre, your cinema on campus.
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- The Night of the Hunter
- Waiting for Guffman (35mm)
- Blue Velvet
- Raising Arizona
- Twin Peaks: Season 1 (Part 3)
- Roger Waters This is not a Drill: Live from Prague - The Movie
- Bringing Up Baby
- Amadeus
- Four Letters of Love
- LUMI X Belfast Pride: TITE on Tour 2025
- Best in Show (35mm)
- QFT Late X Belfast Pride: Bound
- Sullivan's Travels
- The Ballad of Suzanna Cesaire
- Belfast Pride: The Queen
- Wild at Heart
- The Lady Eve
- Twin Peaks: Season 1 Marathon
Staff tickets are priced at £7.50. Staff and students aged 26 and under can join LUMI to get tickets for £5.00 every day, all year round.

The Naughton Gallery invites staff to the latest instalment in its acclaimed sports exhibition series, 'CRYIN' AT THE GYM'. All are welcome.
The Gallery is open daily from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Admission is free.
More information
From fractured sculptures to bold photography, intricate collage to playful interventions, CRYIN' AT THE GYM explores how sport intersects with identity, community, and resistance. Whether tackling themes of gender, race, politics, sexuality, or fandom, the featured artists use the aesthetics and iconography of sport to ask urgent questions about contemporary life.
Highlights include depictions of an all-female skate crew in Ethiopia, a confrontation of homophobia within football, and a psychological journey across the Merseyside football divide. Olympic athlete Florence Griffith Joyner and NBA stars emerge as icons of athleticism and style, while also revealing the layered expectations placed on Black bodies in the public eye. Elsewhere, Gaelic football becomes a site of political memory, and a basketball game turns sculptural with every point scored.
This exhibition continues until 7 September 2025.

Limited places are available for the next session in the Naughton Gallery's popular Silversmithing series, taking place on Saturday 23 August from 10.00am to 4.00pm. No previous experience is required – just bring an apron and enthusiasm!
The workshop costs £50 per person. Please contact art@qub.ac.uk to reserve your space and for further information.
Under the guidance of goldsmith Diane Lyness, each participant will be taught traditional jewellery-making techniques such as piercing, soldering, shaping, texturing, and polishing, to create a beautiful silver link bracelet to take home.

Staff support
- Article: AI Fatigue? Why It Matters: Professor Philip Hanna argues that turning away from AI isn’t the solution, especially in education. The article explores why developing AI awareness and capability is essential for staff and institutions alike.
- 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.
Student support
As AI tools become more common in higher education, students need guidance on how to use them effectively and ethically. A set of new resources located on the AI student support page have been developed to offer practical support:
- AI and Creativity
Encourages students to use AI as a creative partner in writing, design, music, and video -highlighting tools like DALL·E and Canva, and promoting ethical co-creation. - AI and Accessibility
Introduces inclusive tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Immersive Reader, and Seeing AI to support disabled and neurodivergent learners. - Acceptable and Unacceptable AI Use
Clarifies responsible AI use in academic settings with examples to help students make informed, ethical choices. - Sustainable AI Use
Offers tips for using AI mindfully, with attention to environmental impact and digital sustainability.

Learning and Development's July programme of events is now available. From Learning for all, Leading and Managing and Queen’s, LinkedIn Learning, Nature Masterclasses, and Recruitment and Selection Training, there are courses to suit everyone.
- AI in Research Writing
- Gemini in Google Docs
- How to lead through a downsizing or restructuring programme
- Advanced Python: Top tools for Data Science and Engineering

Applications are invited for the SEDA Leading Education for Sustainable Development in the Curriculum programme. The programme is open to Module Co-ordinators or Programme Directors, or members of staff who have significant influence over the curriculum development and design of credit-bearing courses.
The programme will run from September to December 2025. Places are limited to 15.

The comprehensive Preparing for Queen’s resource (formerly Getting Started at Queen's) is now live on the My Queen’s website, supporting both prospective and incoming students as they consider or prepare for university life at Queen's.
Staff are invited to explore and share the resource now to help their students get started.
Available to everyone regardless of background or programme, Preparing for Queen's offers essential information, helpful videos, insightful podcasts, and practical checklists for the academic year and beyond – everything students need to get started is in one place.

The Pre-Semester Welcome Programme supports new and returning students as they begin or continue their journey at Queen's. The main events run from 8-12 September with daily activities designed to help students connect with peers and engage with campus life before classes begin. Further events continue throughout the following weeks until October, supporting students as they settle into university life. Staff are invited to explore and share this non-compulsory programme to help their students get involved.
To submit an item for Round Up, please email details to roundup@qub.ac.uk by 1.00pm on the Thursday before the Monday edition in which they are to appear.