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Round Up

12 January 2026 

façade of the Lanyon Building, Queen's University Belfast, in dull dawn or dusk light
RECOGNITION
NEW YEAR HONOURS FOR THREE MEMBERS OF QUEEN'S STAFF

The New Year Honours List 2026 was published on 29 December, marking the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK, including the following three Queen's colleagues:

  • Professor Michael Alcorn, for services to music and higher education and to the creative industries.
  • Sally Bridge, for services to equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • Professor Nigel Hart, for services to primary care, medical research and training.

Congratulations to all honourees!

aerial view of large redbrick building - Queen's University Belfast - with wording superimposed saying 'Pulse Survey / Your Voice Matters'
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
PULSE SURVEY 2025 RESULTS

The 2025 Pulse Survey results were published on 18 December, achieving a strong response rate with over 2,500 colleagues sharing their views and feedback.

The survey findings will guide our decisions, enabling us to focus on actioning the areas that matter most to you, improving your experience at work and strengthening our university for the future.

two women and a man mid-stretch using pilates equipment in an exercise area
STAFF WELLBEING
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMME – WINTER 2025-6

The Staff Wellbeing Physical Activity Winter Programme commences from today, 12 January 2026, with a line-up of activities, suitable for all fitness levels, designed to keep staff active, healthy, and energised during the winter months.

  • Programme Details*
    Class Day Time Studio Instructor Dates Duration Price
    Zumba Monday 1.10pm to 1.55pm PEC Studio 1 Heather 12 January to 23 March 11 weeks £55
    Strength for All Tuesday 1.00pm to 1.45pm PEC GTZ Paul 13 January to 24 March (with break on 17 February) 10 weeks £60
    Yoga Express Wednesday 12.00pm to 12.45pm PEC Studio 3 Treasa 14 January to 25 March 11 weeks £55
    Tone 'n' Trim Hybrid Thursday 1.10pm to 1.55pm Studio 1 and online Heather 15 January to 26 March 11 weeks £55
    • Zumba: fuses aerobic, conditioning and dance training exercises to a mixture of Latin and International music. This is an exciting, high energy class which is suitable for all fitness levels. You will have so much fun, you won't believe it's a workout!
    • Yoga: you will be led through progressive Hatha Yoga with modifications for all. It will challenge & increase your strength & flexibility, while focusing on relaxation & mindfulness.
    • Tone 'n' Trim: a progressive class using resistance and stretching exercises for precision firming and muscle conditioning, it provides an intense, non-cardio workout that targets all the major muscle groups. This class can be joined in person or online, depending on what best suits you that day.
    • Strength for All: provides the perfect platform for you to achieve your fitness goals. This class includes using Dumbbells, Barbells & bodyweight to challenge all major muscle groups to become stronger.

    If possible please bring your own exercise mat for the classes at Queen’s Sport.

    Changing Facilities and Showers are provided at Queen’s Sport.

* Please note, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

You will be asked to complete a short health questionnaire when making your payment. This must be completed before taking part in the classes.

You will receive an email confirming the venue for the classes the week before the classes begin. The link to the hybrid Tone 'n' Trim classes will be circulated on 12 January 2026.

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Person using laptop in a home-working scenario. Several less prominent data-themed icons surround the laptop with one prominent 'urgent' / 'beware' exclamation icon in the top left
REPORTING A PERSONAL DATA BREACH
NEW DATA BREACH REPORT FORM

While an incident can happen at any time, data breaches are more frequent following a holiday period.

If you believe a breach has occurred, please remain calm and:

If you are unsure about whether something qualifies as a breach, please contact the Information Compliance Unit at databreach@qub.ac.uk.

What is a personal data breach?

A personal data breach is any incident leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, alteration, loss, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data transmitted, stored or otherwise processed.

Common breaches can include:

  • sending an email meant for one individual to another – beware autocomplete;
  • attaching documents to an email by mistake;
  • forwarding email trails which disclose personal information;
  • loss or theft of an unencrypted laptop or USB stick;
  • loss or theft of paperwork.

More information

Further information about data breaches, and information management more generally is available via Information Management - Home.

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FINANCE
FINANCIAL QUARTER END 31 JANUARY 2026 – SALES INVOICING

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.

If you have any queries, please contact Acc Services Sales order Requests at sorequests@qub.ac.uk. 

smiling, chatting group of diverse young people walking towards camera in a cloistered area of a redbrick building (Queen's University Belfast Lanyon Building)
SOURCING PHOTO AND VIDEO CONTENT FOR WEB
USING THIRD-PARTY MEDIA RESPONSIBLY

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.

Guidance and support

  • Do not search for and download images directly from online search results. Always ensure you have the right to use the media.
  • When in doubt, seek guidance or use approved University-owned assets from Brandhub.
  • Any copyright infringement, including cases that result in legal action, is the responsibility of the user who uploaded the unverified asset.

Sourcing images

If you are unable to source branded imagery from the University’s image bank, from Brandhub, the following free-to-use sites are recommended:

Further information and support

If you require further support or guidance, please contact the Web Support team here.

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STAFF HEALTH AND WELLBEING
LAUNCH OF NEW EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (EAP)

With effect from today, Monday 12 January, the University’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) will now be provided by Spectrum.Life. This replaces the former EAP, which was previously delivered through Lena by Inspire.

This change builds on our commitment to providing staff with comprehensive, confidential and professional wellbeing support to help navigate personal, work-related and life challenges.

Please note that there will be no disruption to any current EAP support. Any members of staff who are or have already been using Lena by Inspire can continue to access its services without interruption until the end of their cycle of support.

More information

Spectrum.Life offers a wide range of health and wellbeing resources for all staff, including:

  • fast access to short-term confidential, independent counselling and support services, including up to eight sessions per staff member, with the first session usually within five working days;
  • 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support, including instant access to qualified clinicians;
  • a comprehensive health and wellbeing hub, including a Digital Gym, e-learning pathways, meditation and personalised digital wellbeing pathways to support your mental health, sleep, stress and resilience;
  • and confidential support for work, personal and emotional challenges.
Further support and information

For any additional queries regarding the new EAP provider or the transition, please email: staffwellbeing@qub.ac.uk. 

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ANNUAL LEAVE
REMINDER: NEW ANNUAL LEAVE SYSTEM NOW LIVE

As part of the University’s ongoing digital transformation, all remaining staff have now transitioned to the new online annual leave system from the new leave year, beginning 1 January 2026.

The People and Culture Digital Systems team are working through various data updates, including 2025 carry-over balances. If you have a query on your balance, staff are advised to wait until the end of January before querying this with the team to allow sufficient time for all the updates to be completed.

Further information and support

  • All users are encouraged to take advantage of the available training for both staff and managers, bookable via iTrent Self Service.
  • Please refer to the FAQs on SharePoint for additional guidance and resources.
  • For any additional queries or assistance, please contact: hrhub@qub.ac.uk.
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RECRUITMENT
INTERNAL VACANCIES

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

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

people milling around and chatting at stalls in a large, indoor event space
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
NEW STAFF WELCOME EVENT

The next Staff Welcome Event will take place on Friday 30 January in the Whitla Hall from 10.00am to 12.00pm.

If you are a new member of staff and have not yet received an invite to this event, please contact stafflearning@qub.ac.uk.

We look forward to welcoming you at this event.

#QUBEWELL
BREW MONDAY THIS MONTH

As part of #QUBeWell – the whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing – Queen’s is hosting Brew Monday, a programme of events designed to encourage positive mental health and connection during the long month of January.

Among the activities this year are popup events with activities, carnival games and free giveaways in the MBC, Ashby Building, McClay Library (all on Monday 19 January) and One Elmwood (Thursday 22 January).

Schools and departments across the University are encouraged to organise their own Brew Monday activities locally.

Whether it is a coffee morning, a shared lunch, or simply making an extra effort to say hello to someone new, these events offer opportunities to connect with colleagues and students, reinforcing and aligning with the Public Health Agency’s Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, and Give.

  • The is a collaborative initiative between teams and services across campus. For support or to let us know what you are doing in your area, please contact Michaeline.donnelly@qub.ac.uk. 
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2024-25
ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual Report 2024-25 shines a spotlight on the key moments and achievements that defined Queen’s University over the past year. From major milestones in education, research and civic engagement to impactful partnerships and community initiatives, the report highlights the progress we are making through our Strategy 2030.

Also included are the University's financial statements, updates on philanthropy, our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and our public benefit impact.

Queen's Student Survey (QSS) logo
STUDENT SURVEYS
QUEEN'S STUDENT SURVEY NOW LIVE

The Queen's Student Survey for first years and all pre-final year students is now live. These institutional surveys are bespoke to Queen’s, they cover key aspects of the student experience and will provide some early indicators for the NSS results. Students can access the survey via the student survey portal at https://qub.surveys.evasysplus.co.uk/.

All staff are encouraged to publicise the surveys and urge students to complete before the closing date of 22 February. Students can find more info at http://go.qub.ac.uk/student-voice.

Student feedback given in the QSS is used by Queen's to enhance the quality of courses and improve the wider student experience. The continued support of all staff is fundamental to the success of the surveys, so we welcome your help.

For any queries, please email the Student Surveys Team at surveys@qub.ac.uk. 

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WELLBEING
STAFF WELLBEING COURSES

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

woman stretching before or during a morning/evening run, with mountains and valleys pictured in the background
ACTIVE CAMPUS – FIND YOUR MOVEMENT
WINTER PROGRAMME 2026, INCLUDING COUCH TO 5K

Find Your Movement this winter with the Active Campus Winter programme 2026, offering a variety of activities designed to help you get active, stay motivated, and have fun. All sessions are open to both staff and students, including:

  • Yoga U Roadshow
  • Couch to 5K Programme (Beginning on Tuesday 13 January; perfect for anyone who is starting their Marathon relay training.)
  • Campus Football
  • Campus Basketball
  • Campus Badminton

Find out more about our full range of winter activities here.

Black and white profile of a man walking his dog. Text over the image reads 'Trevor's Story / Queen's gave me a lift when I had nothing left in the tank.'
SHAPING A BETTER WORLD FOR 180 YEARS
FROM CARER TO ADVOCATE: TREVOR'S STORY

This year, we are celebrating the real-world impact of our research, education and partnerships – told through the voices of those we've helped.

“Queen’s gave me a lift when I had nothing left in the tank.”

Read Trevor's story.

Black and white photo of a woman wearing glasses with hands clasped in front of her. Heading text over the image reads 'Fiona's Story' with subtext relating to victims and survivors.
SHAPING A BETTER WORLD FOR 180 YEARS
SEEING THE UNSEEN: JUSTICE FOR SURVIVORS OF INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE

Our case studies demonstrate the impact we've had on the health and wellbeing of our society, our dedication to innovation and technology and our commitment to sustainability. They prove the social value we add and showcase our growing community partnerships.

“For many victims and survivors, not being seen and not being heard was part of their life journey ... it is about making sure victims and survivors are heard and seen.”

Read Fiona's story.

entrance to Thomas J Moran Graduate School, Queen's University Belfast, pictured April 2023
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
NAMING AND RECOGNITION POLICY

The Naming and Recognition Policy sets out the principles Queen’s University will follow to name its buildings, facilities, academic positions and programmes, scholarships, and awards.

This policy has a focus on ensuring that the University will strive, wherever possible, to ensure naming and recognition reflects the diverse nature and backgrounds of those individuals with whom it enjoys a close current, or historical association, in accordance with relevant University policies and initiatives including the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and the Queen’s Gender Initiative.

The principal motivations to consider a naming or recognition opportunity are that the University wishes to honour the achievement of an individual, recognise a philanthropic gift, or acknowledge a commercial agreement.

This policy:

  • ensures that naming and recognition decisions are made in a coherent and consistent way in accordance with the University’s objectives;
  • ensures compliance with University regulations and procedures;
  • clearly establishes where responsibility and authority for taking decisions resides;
  • establishes the process and criteria for decision-making.

This policy applies where:

  • the University wishes to honour individuals for achievement or distinction;
  • the University wishes to recognise a philanthropic gift;
  • the University is entering into a sponsorship agreement featuring a naming or recognition opportunity.

Further information or guidance on the policy can be requested from Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy by emailing namingandrecognition@qub.ac.uk.

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THERE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
SUPPORTING PARENTS AND GUARDIANS AT QUEEN'S

The University provides a range of services and policies to support you in caring for your family, including:

People Diverse Lecture QUB150519-326 800x533
REC & IRISE
ACADEMIC PROGRESSION WORKSHOP

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.*

At the workshop, academics from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International backgrounds, who have had recent academic progression success, will share their experiences and reflections. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A with colleagues from People and Culture who will share information about the promotions process.

* This invitation is also extended to colleagues currently on probation who wish to gain insights into the next stage of their academic career.

† Attendance is not considered as an indication of your intention to apply in the forthcoming round.

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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
WEBINAR: NEW APPROVING PROGRAMME CHANGES PROCESS

Further to communications on 24 November and 1 December 2025, a new streamlined, risk-based process for approving programme changes will be implemented in 2025-26.

A recording of the Approving Programme Changes Webinar, held on Wednesday 3 December, is now available, along with a full suite of guidance materials to support implementation.

This guidance includes the Approving Programme Changes Grid, which categorises all change types, outlines the relevant approval authority, and indicates if it is considered a material change by CMA. Two new Change Request Forms are also available to help Schools capture proposed changes, assess their impact and direct them through to the appropriate approval authority.

Please contact the Quality Assurance and Regulations Team (qar@qub.ac.uk) in Academic Affairs for additional information.

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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND QUEEN'S GENDER INITIATIVE
DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS – INTRODUCTION SESSION

The Diversity and Inclusion team are hosting a Domestic Abuse Awareness session on Tuesday 20 January from 10.00am to 12.00pm, online. This session will be delivered by Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland and is designed to raise awareness, build understanding, and equip attendees with the knowledge to make a difference.

Anyone can experience domestic abuse, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexuality, social class, or location.

What this session will cover:

  • Key statistics on domestic abuse
  • Current strategies and the legislative context
  • Signs and symptoms of abuse – how to recognise them
  • The impact of domestic abuse on children and young people
  • Pathways to support and available services

Who is it for?

This session is suitable for anyone wanting to build awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and its effects. 

Staff can contact eqdiv@qub.ac.uk with any queries.

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Front of Lanyon Building
SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CONCORDAT WORKSHOPS

Colleagues are invited to attend an in-person, faculty-specific workshop on the UKRI Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research and Innovation Practice,* of which the University is now a signatory.

Workshops will take place as follows – please register at the links below:

  • AHSS Workshop: Tuesday 13 January, 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Lanyon Building, room 0G/074
  • EPS Workshop: Wednesday 14 January, 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Geography Building (Elmwood Avenue), room 0G/033

* The Concordat sets out principles for embedding sustainability into research and innovation activities and practices. Compliance with these principles will be a requirement for future research funding.

The workshops are designed to:

  • outline the key aspects of the Concordat
  • consider its relevance to your work and research practices
  • identify opportunities to support sustainability and meet future funding requirements
  • signpost to available support and resources
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WEBSITE HOSTING MIGRATION PROJECT
MOVING WEB CMS WEBSITES TO CLOUD HOSTING

As part of the Website Hosting Migration Project, from March 2026 all websites and content published through the Web CMS to https://www.qub.ac.uk will be hosted in the cloud with Terminalfour. This also includes any websites published from the Web CMS to bespoke domain names.

Any websites or content not published via the Web CMS but currently hosted under the https://www.qub.ac.uk subdomain will not be accessible following the switchover.

Digital and Information Services are already working with colleagues across the University as part of the planning and preparation phase to identify websites and resources that may be affected.

If you have not yet been contacted, or if you have any queries about a website or resource hosted under https://www.qub.ac.uk, please contact the Web Support Team via the IT Service Desk.

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AI HUB
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT QUEEN'S: SUPPORT AND TRAINING
  • 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).

Staff and Student Support Information

Contact the team at AI-Hub@qub.ac.uk with any questions.

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STUDENT EXPERIENCE
PGR GAPS AND PRESSURES REPORT

The PGR Gaps and Pressures Report – developed through conversations with staff who support postgraduate students across Schools and research centres – highlights the key challenges shaping the PGR experience at Queen’s.

While no urgent systemic issues emerged, students continue to face complex wellbeing needs, funding gaps, and delays that intensify stress at key milestones.

Among the main issues affecting PGR students are:

  • Mental health, wellbeing and belonging
  • Supervision
  • Progression and completion
  • Finance and funding
  • Training and skills

The report emphasises the value of clearer structures, stronger community‑building, and more tailored training to ensure PGRs are better supported throughout their research journey.

The Student Wellbeing and Accessible Learning team would like to thank colleagues from across Schools and research centres for the contributions to the report.

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POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
QUEEN'S POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND RESEARCH BLOG

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

To contribute an article to Queen's Policy Engagement, please email Kevin at qpol@qub.ac.uk.

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RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
THE CONVERSATION

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:

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RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
'THE CONVERSATION' VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION

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.

More information

The Conversation is a news analysis and opinion website with content written by academics working with professional journalists. It is an open access, independent media charity funded by more than 80 UK and European universities. View Queen’s academics’ articles on The Conversation here.

About this session

During this training session the editor will discuss The Conversation’s unique, collaborative editorial process, give tips on style, tone and structure (with examples), look at how to pitch (with examples) and look at different approaches and article types. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your research with the editor and pitch potential story ideas.

  • * There are a limited number of places for this session. If you sign up and then are no longer able to attend, please cancel your registration so that your place can be re-allocated to a colleague on the waiting list.
  • For more information on the session, please contact comms.office@qub.ac.uk. 
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NEWS
STAFF NEWS AND COMMUNITY GATEWAY

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

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STAFF PROFILES
SPOTLIGHT ON... WAYNE MCLAUGHLIN, JOINER, ESTATES DIRECTORATE

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.

man wearing light-coloured shirt pictured in front of shelves in a laboratory space
INAUGURAL LECTURE
PROFESSOR KARL BUTTERWORTH, THE JOHNSTON CANCER RESEARCH CENTRE

Staff are invited to the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Karl Butterworth on Wednesday 11 February at 4.00pm in the Basement Seminar Room, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine.

Professor Butterworth, who is Professor of Translational Radiobiology in The Johnston Cancer Research Centre, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, will present on 'Widening the window: Integrating radiobiology & technology to enhance radiotherapy outcomes'.

  • Please register here before Friday 30 January. Light refreshments will be made available after the lecture.

For more information, or any queries, please contact smdbs@qub.ac.uk / 02890972215.

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MITCHELL INSTITUTE
MITCHELL INSTITUTE EVENTS AND CALLS

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

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
2026 KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE SEMINAR SERIES (KESS)

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.

* The 2026 Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS) will be jointly delivered by the Research and Information Service (RaISe) in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the five local universities, Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, The Open University, Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College Belfast.

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EVENT
OPEN RESEARCH WEEK IRELAND 2026

Registration is now open for Open Research Week Ireland 2026.

This first-time event is a collaborative, intervarsity event that aims to celebrate the work of open researchers and those professionals who support them. All researchers, students, information professionals, research support staff or any other interested group are welcome to attend.

This is a free, virtual event, but registration is required.

Open Research Week Ireland 2026 is a collaboration between Dublin City University, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway, and Queen’s University Belfast. The event was created by Rebecca Clarke (Open Research Librarian, Queen’s University Belfast), Jenny Collery (Scholarly Communications Librarian, University College Dublin), Donna Ó Doibhlin (Scholarly Communications Librarian, University College Cork), Liam O'Dwyer (Open Research Librarian, Dublin City University), and Dr Jen Smith (Open Research Librarian, University of Galway).

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Two competition winners being applauded on stage by an emcee as confetti rains down at an event. Background presentation screen shows wording 'Fame Lab: Talking Science'.
COMPETITION
FAMELAB UK 2026: APPLICATIONS AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION TRAINING SESSION

Applications are now open for the FameLab UK competition, which searches for the next generation of science communicators and STEM enthusiasts – people who can share big ideas in just three minutes, with passion, clarity and spark.

Staff interested in applying are invited to a Science Communication training session on Friday 30 January from 9.30am to 1.00pm in the Senate Room, Lanyon Building.

The live FameLab NI Final will be on Tuesday 17 February. The regional winner from Northern Ireland will then go on to compete at a FameLab UK Final, hosted live at Cheltenham Science Festival

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Faculty Engagement team is the NI National Hub for FameLab UK, also supporting the NI Science Festival.

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large screen showing a science fiction image in the motion capture lab (MediaLab), Queen's University Belfast
MEDIALAB
CALL FOR PROJECTS IN REAL-TIME 3D: PGCERT INTRODUCTION TO GAMES TECHNOLOGIES

The MediaLab at Queen’s is currently putting together projects for students for Semester 2 (Spring 2026) and is interested in hearing from colleagues who might have projects or ideas that they would like to see designed in real-time 3D.

  • If you have an idea/concept using real-time 3D technology that you would like to explore, please complete this form.
  • If you would like to discuss further, you can contact the team at medialab@qub.ac.uk.

Once submitted and reviewed, ideas for concepts can then be drawn up into a brief and made available to students. Some project examples are included on the form above for reference, and you can view examples in the Games Tech Showreel here.

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
SEDA RESEARCH & EVALUATION SMALL GRANTS 2026 + ONLINE EVENT

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.

Associated events

Applicants to the grants are invited to the following event. Please register via the link provided.

  • SEDA Small Grants Talk Shop, Friday 16 January, 2.00pm to 3.00pm. This will be an interactive opportunity for applicants to ask questions of SEDA’s Scholarship and Research Committee. If you have any particular questions, please email them to office@seda.ac.uk in advance.
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
QFT WHAT'S ON

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.

painting by Oliver Jeffers depicting a city bus partially submerged in a small lake or floodwater in dim daylight with its lights still on
NAUGHTON GALLERY
CURRENT EXHIBITION – 'DISASTERS AND INTERVENTIONS', BY OLIVER JEFFERS

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.

Oliver Jeffers is well known for his award-winning picture books. Beyond his literary success, he is an internationally recognised painter and sculptor. Jeffers’ work, with its distinctive simplicity, beauty, and humour, invites people to engage with big ideas, offering fresh context, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose in these rapidly shifting times.

This exhibition will run until 29 March.

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façade of the new Seamus Heaney Centre building, University Road, Queen's University Belfast
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
SEAMUS HEANEY CENTRE 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

The Seamus Heaney Centre invites colleagues to view its 2025 Year in Review newsletter.

small group of smiling people with notebooks and pens sitting in a training or information session
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF
NEW DATES: LEARNING FOR ALL – L&D WORKSHOPS

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

More information

Learning for All - course dates and further information. For queries or support, please email stafflearning@qub.ac.uk.

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LEARNING AND TEACHING
CANVAS VLE SUPPORT+
  • 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).
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CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SEDA LEADING PROGRAMMES

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.

  • Session One: 11 February
  • Session Two: 4 March
  • Session Three: 15 April
  • Session Four: 20 May
  • Session Five: 3 June
  • Session Six: 1 July
  • Session Seven: 29 July

Course Aims

  • To support you in your professional development as an educational leader.
  • To support and recognise your individual progress, practice and professional achievement.
  • To enhance curriculum development and, hence, the student learning experience.
  • To promote the development of professionals with the knowledge, skills and attributes to effectively lead, nurture and guide educational change and development in the sector.
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CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ADVISOR OF STUDIES TRAINING DAY

Queen's Advisors of Studies are invited to a half-day workshop on Friday 16 January – from 9.00am to 1.00pm in TR02, 69-71 University Street – where the focus will be on equipping attendees with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support and guide our students.

Through interactive sessions and collaborative discussions, you will gain valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your advising practice. Connect with fellow advisors, share experiences, and learn from experts in the field. Together, we can create a supportive network that fosters student success and enriches our academic community.

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UNIVERSITY SAFETY SERVICE
TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR JANUARY

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 January are given below. All sessions are in person.

Please feel free to contact the University Safety Service at safety@qub.ac.uk or 028 9097 4613 should you have any queries or training requirements.

Training course Date Time Safety Officer
IRIS: Incident Reporting Investigation System 13 January 9.30am to 11.00am Lindsey Smith
General Risk Assessment Training 15 January 10.00am to 12.30pm Andrew McGookin
The Safe Transport of Class 6.2 Materials by Air (Refresher) 19 January 9.30am to 1.00pm Lindsey Smith
Radiation Safety – Open and Sealed Sources 21 January 10.00am to 12.00pm Lindsey Smith
Biological Safety and Genetic Modification Course 21 January 11.00am to 12.30pm David Norwood
Work at Height 22 January 10.00am to 12.30pm Andrew McGookin
The Safe Transport of Class 6.2 Materials by Air 27 January 9.30am to 1.00pm Lindsey Smith
Accident Investigation Training 28 January 10.00am to 11.30am Enya Kinsella
Laboratory Chemical Safety 30 January 10.00am to 12.00pm Dean Cross
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ESTATES
ESTATES DIRECTORATE – WEEK AHEAD

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

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.

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