A video message from President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer, looking ahead to another exciting year for our university community in 2026.

• A transcript is available here.

View the Staff Excellence Awards shortlist on the Staff Excellence Awards website.

These nominations reflect the outstanding contributions, commitment and dedication of staff across our campus community.

Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted, and to all staff who were nominated!

Queen’s new Electric Vehicle (EV) Scheme is now open for applications. This scheme provides eligible staff with a tax-efficient way to lease a brand-new electric vehicle through salary sacrifice. Key benefits of the scheme include:

• Competitive pricing;
• No deposit required;
• Comprehensive vehicle maintenance included;
• Reduced carbon emissions and air pollution.

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"Whether you're planning for the future, protecting your family or simply making the most of your money, our pension schemes offer peace of mind and long-term value". 

Watch the latest in a NEW series of video explainers from our Pensions Manager, Ciara Smyth, to learn more about how Queen’s pension schemes can support you and your family. 

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As we approach quarter end, please ensure that all sales invoices are fully approved and posted to QFIS within 14 days of the supply date/ the activity being completed, in order to comply with VAT regulations and to ensure that VAT is accounted for in the correct VAT return.

If there are any invoices where the supply took place more than 14 days ago, please ensure these are fully approved and posted to QFIS by the end of the day on Friday 30 January.

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The University is currently recruiting for a number of positions internally.

Staff can view internal and external vacancies through iTrent Employee Self-Service.

As part of the ongoing 2026-27 Integrated Planning Cycle, a showcase will take place on Wednesday 28 January from 12.30pm to 3.00pm in 69-71 University Street.

This showcase will share the vision and key focus areas of the Education and Skills strategic pillar for the remainder of the current Strategy 2030 period and beyond, providing an opportunity to maximise collaborative working as local plans are developed.

• Please register to attend here: * Integrated Planning Education and Skills Showcase

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The Queen's Student Survey for first years and all pre-final year students is now live.

• Students can access the survey via the student survey portal here.
• More information can be found here.

All staff are encouraged to publicise the surveys and urge students to complete them before the closing date of 22 February. 

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As part of #QUBeWell, our whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing, Queen’s is hosting Brew Monday, a programme of events encouraging positive mental health and connection during the month of January. This year’s activities include pop-up events with engaging activities, carnival games and free giveaways.

Staff are invited to attend the next event, which will take place in One Elmwood on Thursday 22 January from 12.30 to 2.30pm.

Schools and departments are also encouraged to organise their own Brew Monday activities locally. 

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Staff Wellbeing are putting 20 free staff places up for grabs in this year’s Queen’s 3km Fun Run and 5km events, organised by Queen's Sport. Taking place on 11 March, all staff are invited to get involved, whether you’re chasing a PB, jogging with colleagues, or simply soaking up the atmosphere. A selection of spot prizes will also be available for staff participating in either run.

• To avail of a FREE entry for either run, please email Staff Wellbeing at: staffwellbeing@qub.ac.uk to register your place.*

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This is the last chance to enrol in Queen's Sport's Winter Courses 2026, offering a variety of adult and children’s courses designed to support confidence, movement, and wellbeing.

Adult courses include yoga, boxing, Pilates and ballet. Children's courses include KinderGYM, Olympic Handball and climbing.

• Winter courses 2026 – more information and booking

Queen's Sport is offering staff a free 1 Day Pass, valid throughout January and invites colleagues to view its full range of membership options.

• Find out more on the Queen's Sport website.

The following courses are available to support staff wellbeing within Queen’s. In iTrent, search for 'Wellbeing' to view available courses.

• Mindfulness - Five Week Programme. Beginning Tuesday 20 January, 10.00am to 10.45am, online.
• Working Through Change and Building Resilience. Tuesday 27 January, 10.00am to 11.00am, online.

Colleagues are warmly invited to a REC & iRISE Academic Progression Workshop on Tuesday 27 January from 11.00am to 12.30pm in the Senate Room, Lanyon Building. A light lunch will be provided.

This workshop has been developed by the REC and iRISE teams to support colleagues from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International backgrounds who are considering applying for promotion in the upcoming academic progression process.*

• Register here to attend.*

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The University’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is now provided by Spectrum.Life.

There will be no disruption to existing EAP support. Staff currently using Lena by Inspire can continue to access its services uninterrupted until the end of their support cycle.

• To learn more about the new EAP, staff are invited to join one of the upcoming information sessions hosted by Spectrum.Life, held on the second Thursday of every month at 9:30 am*

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All lectures scheduled in centrally timetabled teaching spaces are set to be recorded automatically using Panopto. If you do not wish a lecture to be recorded, you must actively opt out.

• Use the Panopto Automated Scheduling Tool on Queen’s Online (under Service Applications) to view and manage your upcoming recordings.
• Select 'Partially Automated' if you share a Canvas course with other staff, including in team teaching arrangements. This allows you to apply settings to individual lectures, being mindful of overriding your colleagues’ settings.

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Staff are reminded of the importance of using consented third-party images, videos, or other media and respecting copyright when uploading content to the University website Media Library.

• Read about best practice and guidance on using third-party images, videos, or other media responsibly on the University’s website.

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• AI for Educators Course: The self-paced AI for Educators course on Canvas helps student-facing staff to build confidence using AI in education. Explore four modules (Basics, Teaching & Learning, Assessment & Feedback, and Research), with practical AI Skills Build activities and discussion. Complete what’s most relevant to you, or finish all four to earn a Digital Certificate of Completion, signed by Professor Judy Williams (PVC Education and Students).

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

• ‘I went to that EOTAS and it changed me’ – Three Reasons to Support Alternative Education, by Kate Moscato, Dr Montserrat Fargas and Dr Siobhán McAlister
• Heritage, Creativity and Belonging: A Participatory Approach to Policy Innovation, by Dr Emma Reisz and guest contributor Lisa Rea Currie

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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:

• How a ferocious 19th-century hurricane helped Irish people get their British pension, by Dr Robyn Atcheson
• What Trump's Venezuela intervention means for US domestic politics, by Dr Richard Hargy

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The Communications Office is hosting a virtual training session with The Conversation UK on Thursday 29 January from 10.30am to 12.30pm. This is open to all academics/researchers across the three faculty areas.

This interactive, online session will be led by one of the editors who will take you through what The Conversation is, its origins and aims, what it does, and why.

• Please register here to attend.*

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Our latest 'Spotlight on our Staff' profile features Wayne McLaughlin, a Joiner in the Estates Directorate.

Working within the Works Department but with a remit right across the University campus, no two days are the same for Wayne.

• Read Wayne's profile.

Staff are invited to the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Donncha Hanna on Thursday 29 January at 7.00pm, preceded by a reception at 6.30pm, in the Great Hall, Lanyon Building.

Professor Hanna will deliver the lecture 'From Risk to Resilience: What Science Reveals About Mental Health'.

• Please register to attend here. 

Queen's Annual Sustainable Construction Conference takes place on Tuesday 24 February from 8.45am to 1.15pm in Mandela Hall.

This year's theme, 'Materials Matter: A deep dive into material, innovation, circularity, and low impact design', will bring together leading experts in sustainability, circularity and the future of the built environment at Queen's.

• Find out more and register: Sustainable Construction Conference 2026.

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Staff are invited to join a special in conversation event with Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday 29 January from 10.45am to 12.00pm in The Cube, One Elmwood.

Nicola Sturgeon is Scotland’s longest‑serving First Minister and one of the most influential political figures of her generation. This is a unique chance to hear reflections on leadership, public service, and insights that resonate far beyond politics.

• Please register here. You will have the opportunity to submit a question for consideration during event registration.

Staff are invited to the following events and to submit conference papers. Please note the venue update for the Gaza seminar. Find out more and register at the links below:

• Seminar: Judaizing Christianity and Christian Zionism in Northern Ireland. For God, Israel and Ulster. Monday 19 January, 4.30pm to 6.00pm, Irish Studies Seminar Room (room 01/003), 27 University Square.
• Research Workshop: The Cost of Flying the Flag. Thursday 22 January, 12.30pm to 2.00pm, Fellows Room, Mitchell Institute, 18 University Square.

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The Call for Submissions is now open for the 2026 Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS), taking place from April to June 2026.

This opportunity is open to all academics and researchers employed by one of the five KESS university partners* at the time of applying, and who anticipate remaining so through at least June 2026.

• Applications will close at 12.00pm (noon) on Friday 23 January.
• Find out more on the 2026 KESS Programme, including how to apply, here.

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SEDA is currently inviting applications for Research and Evaluation Small Grants. This year there are five grants available, each of up to £2,000.

These small grants are to support research and evaluation in staff and educational development with the goal of continued improvement in the quality and understanding of educational development practices. SEDA individual members or those working in an institution holding institutional SEDA membership are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 12.00pm (noon) on Monday 23 February.

• More information – Research and Evaluation Small Grants.

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Queen’s is committed to empowering researchers at every stage of their academic journey, from emerging early-career researchers to established research leaders.

• Queen's researchers can now access the new Queen’s Research Online Learning Hub, launched on 15 January, which collates learning activities to raise awareness and encourage engagement in your ongoing career development.

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Alumni of the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, and/or employers of the School's students, are warmly invited to a networking event on Thursday 5 February from 4.30pm to 6.15pm in the Council Chamber and Canada Room, Lanyon Building. The event will include a fireside chat with distinguished guests and a wine and cheese reception.

• Find out more here and register by Friday 23 January.

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

See this week’s new and returning films at Queen’s Film Theatre, your cinema on campus. Staff tickets are priced at £8.50. Staff and students aged 26 and under can join LUMI to get tickets for £6.00 every day, all year round.

• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• The Voice of Hind Rajab

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The Naughton Gallery is delighted to present DISASTERS AND INTERVENTIONS, a new exhibition by internationally renowned Northern Irish artist Oliver Jeffers. This exhibition marks the first time that this particular collection of works – created sporadically over the past decade and a half – is being exhibited together.

Admission is free. All are welcome.

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• SF/NI: Sci-Fi Panel. Thursday 22 January, 5.30pm, The Wolfson Lecture Theatre. RB Kelly and Ian McDonald join Sam Thompson to speak on the speculative fiction that shaped them.
• Book Launch: Plastic, By Matthew Rice. Thursday 29 January, 6.00pm, The Wolfson Lecture Theatre.

The new Learning for All schedule of dates is now available for the following workshops. Please register via iTrent Self-Service.

• Get Ready for Management and Leadership
• Skills for Effective Mentoring
• Introduction to Project Management Skills Part 1 & Part 2
• Planning my Career Development

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For the forthcoming SU Elections, the Students' Union invites staff to suggest students who would be great peer representatives.

• If you know a student with the passion, confidence, or potential to make a difference, please consider nominating them for the SU Elections here. The SU Voice team will be in touch to guide them through the next steps.

Nominations close at 5.00pm on Thursday 22 January.

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• One-to-One Consultations: Staff can book a 30-minute virtual session with a Digital Learning Developer from your Faculty, School or VLE Pedagogy Support Team (subject to availability).

All new, aspiring, and experienced Programme Leaders are invited to join CED's blended learning course, tailor-made to elevate participants' leadership skills and professional journey. Workshops will take place on the following dates. Please register via iTrent.

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This year's Safety Training programme 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 rest of January are given below. All sessions are in person.

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Researchers in Queen's Centre for Public Health are conducting a study investigating whether the order in which macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) are eaten affects blood sugar levels in women living with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Colleagues who are pregnant with GDM are invited to take part.*

• If you are interested or have any questions, please contact DEFI-GDM@qub.ac.uk or phone 07823 368446. Participants will receive a £200 voucher reimbursement.

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