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Round Up

25 March 2024

CELEBRATING OUR STAFF
STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNERS

Congratulations to all the winners in the Staff Excellence Awards 2022-23.

This is the eighth year of the Staff Excellence Awards, which recognise and celebrate the achievements of staff across the University. The winners were announced at a celebration event in Mandela Hall on Friday 22 March.

View the winners.

View the event in pictures.

The winners are:

  • Delivering Excellence – Matthew Wilson, Research and Enterprise
  • Making an Impact – Dr Ving Fai Chan, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
  • Celebrating Innovation – Clearing Project Team, Digital and Information Services and Global Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions
  • Best Collaboration – Student Wellbeing Team, Education and Student Services
  • Outstanding Leadership – Allister Lee, School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Commitment to Sustainability – Queen’s Accommodation Residential Life Team, Student and Campus Life
  • Exceptional Contribution – Professor Michael Alcorn, University Secretary’s Office; Professor Pascal McKeown, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
  • Special Recognition – Agreement 25 event team

Read more on all the winners on the Staff Excellence Awards website.

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two images showing female fitness, dancercise, stretching in Queen's Sport
QUEEN'S SPORT
STAFF WELLBEING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMME – SPRING 2024

The Staff Wellbeing Physical Activity Programme will return for spring on week commencing Monday 15 April. Classes are suitable for all ages/genders and levels of fitness. Booking and payment can be made here.* 

To find out more about any of the sessions in advance of registering, please contact Queen's Sport at courseenquiries@qub.ac.uk. Please note, places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Programme details

Class Day Time Studio Instructor Start date Duration Price
Zumba Monday 1.10pm to 1.55pm Studio 1 Heather 22 April 10 weeks £40
Pilates Tuesday 1.00pm to 1.50pm Studio 3 Asdis 16 April 11 weeks £44
Yoga Wednesday 1.00pm to 1.50pm Snack bar area Treasa 17 April 11 weeks £44
Tone and Trim Hybrid Thursday 1.10pm to 1.55pm Studio 1 and online Heather 25 April 10 weeks £40
Strength for all Thursday 7.00am to 8.00am Group training zone Michael 18 April 10 weeks £60
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 and increase your strength and flexibility, while focusing on relaxation and mindfulness.
Pilates
For everyone wanting to build up core, back and glute strength with control and without impact. With moves that will focus on posture alignment and engagement of the muscles.
Tone and 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
The perfect platform for you to achieve your fitness goals, this class includes using dumbbells, barbells and bodyweight to challenge all major muscle groups to become stronger.

Booking and payment | More information

* You will be also asked to complete a short health questionnaire when making the 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 and Trim classes will be circulated on Monday 22 April.

If possible please bring your own exercise mat for the classes at Queen's Sport. Changing facilities and showers are provided.

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PEOPLE AND CULTURE
EDENRED EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS SCHEME

As we approach the Easter holidays, staff are reminded that they have access to Edenred, the University’s employee discounts scheme. Staff can access the employee discounts via mylifestyle hub.

Find out more here, including a demo video of the platform.

Edenred’s Employee Discounts Scheme gives Queen’s staff access to discounts at hundreds of retailers and travel providers, including:

  • discounted shopping at all major supermarkets, including ASDA, Sainsbury’s, M&S and Tesco
  • discounted gift cards and instant eGift cards from a range of retailers, including ASOS, Argos and Adidas
  • savings on TV and broadband packages from Sky, BT and Virgin Media
  • savings from Currys PC World, Apple Store, Samsung and more
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Lanyon July2018 front view
RECRUITMENT
INTERNAL VACANCIES

The University is currently advertising for the following position internally:

  • 24/111754 – Research Fellow, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (CCE)

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

For career updates, staff can also follow the Recruitment team on Twitter: @QUBWorkHere

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STAFF ROUND UP
NEXT EDITION PUBLISHING ON MONDAY 8 APRIL

Due to the Easter break (Friday 29 March to Friday 5 April inclusive), the next edition of the Staff Round Up will issue on Monday 8 April.

Staff submitting items for the next edition are asked to please send content through to roundup@qub.ac.uk by 11.00am this Wednesday 27 March.

MEASLES
TRAVEL: MAKE SURE YOUR MMR VACCINE IS UP TO DATE

In line with public health advice, all staff and students are encouraged to make sure your MMR vaccine is up-to-date before travelling.

  • The Public Health Agency (PHA) is running free vaccine catch-up clinics for those aged up to and including 25 years to help protect against the growing threat of measles. Further information, including how to book, is available on the NI Direct website.
  • Over 25s can go to their GP for advice on MMR vaccinations.
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smiling young woman holding up her right t-shirt sleeve to show a plaster covering a vaccination site on her arm
PUBLIC HEALTH
PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST MEASLES: MMR VACCINE CATCH-UP CLINICS

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is running free vaccine catch-up clinics for those aged up to and including 25 years to help protect against the growing threat of measles.

Having two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

First and second doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are being offered until 31 March.

Further information, including how to book, is available on the NI Direct website.

Measles is highly infectious and can easily spread between unvaccinated people. England has recently seen an increase in measles cases and the WHO has reported a 30-fold rise of measles cases in Europe.

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GUIDANCE
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE DIAGNOSED WITH MEASLES

If you are diagnosed with measles, your doctor will notify the PHA. The PHA will then contact you to find out who you have been in contact with during any infection period.

Please follow the advice of your doctor and the PHA.

All staff and students should continue to follow the normal absence management protocols by letting their line manager or School Office know they are unwell.

PFC_Peter Froggatt Centre_Administration Building_quadrangle
FINANCE
EASTER PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Staff should note the following Accounts Payable arrangements over the Easter period for paying correctly authorised and registered Supplier Invoices, Request for Payment Forms and Staff Expenses Claims:

  1. Invoices, Requests for Payment and Staff Expenses Claims received by 5.00pm on Tuesday 19 March will be paid on Wednesday 27 March.
  1. Invoices, Requests for Payment and Staff Expenses Claims received by 5.00pm on Tuesday 26 March will be paid by Friday 12 April.
  2. Invoices, Requests for Payment and Staff Expenses Claims received after 5.00pm Tuesday 26 March will be paid by Friday 19 April 2024.
  3. Normal payment arrangements will apply for all payment requests received week commencing 15 April.

Whilst Accounts Payable will make every effort to comply with this timetable, due to the volumes of payment requests received at this time of the year, and to ensure payment before the holiday, staff are requested to process all such transactions well in advance of these deadlines.

Further clarification of these arrangements, if required, may be obtained from Accounts Payable: 028 9097 3029.

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engineering team working on a railway track
TRAVEL
ESSENTIAL RAILWAY ENGINEERING WORKS OVER THE EASTER HOLIDAY

Essential engineering work will be carried out on the railway line between Belfast and Lisburn and Belfast and Portadown over Easter, with a line closure planned from Saturday 30 March until Sunday 7 April 2024 inclusively.

Though the University will be closed for the Easter break during that period, staff and students are asked to note that Translink is advising passengers to check their journeys in advance, by using the Translink website, www.translink.co.uk, or Journey Planner, and to allow extra time for their travel.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE
REVIEW OF PEOPLE POLICIES

As set out in the People and Culture Plan 2023-26, People and Culture are currently conducting a review of our people policies. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to improving your experience at work, fostering a positive workplace culture and delivering a professional HR service.

The upcoming changes to these policies focus on enhancing clarity and accessibility. We aim to achieve this through improved navigation, clearer and more consistent language, and the provision of enhanced supporting materials. These enhancements will ensure that our policies are easily understood and consistently applied by employers and managers.

All current People and Culture policies can be found in our Policies and Procedures A-Z and we will be keeping this page updated as we gradually roll out our policy updates.

LIFELONG LEARNING
OPEN LEARNING PROGRAMME 2024

The Spring Open Learning 2024 programme is now available for enrolment. These short, part-time, day and evening courses at Queen's offer everyone over the age of 18 the chance to try something new and enjoy learning in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Staff are invited to share this programme with family and friends.

Most classes start week beginning Monday 29 April. Queen's staff qualify for the concession rate where applicable.

More information | Enrol

Courses available

  • Creative Writing, Digital Photography
    • Beat the Blank Page
    • How to Write for Profit and Pleasure
    • Starting to Write
    • What Made Photography?
  • Education, Environment, First Aid
    • Behaviour Technician Course
    • Archaeology of Ireland: The Viking Age
    • Easy Summer Bird Watching for Beginners
    • Learning the Songs of Birds
    • Native Trees: Their Identification and Place in Society
    • Woodland: A Hidden Wealth of Wildlife
    • Practical First Aid
  • History and Law
    • ‘A City Upon a Hill’: The Pilgrim Fathers and America’s English Puritan Legacy
    • Anne Boleyn: Feminist Icon or Femme Fatale?
    • Horrible Histories for Grown Ups
    • Northern Ireland after Brexit: A Guide for the Perplexed
    • 'Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History: Exploring Female Archetypes through History'
  • Languages
    • Different levels of language from Beginners to Advanced in Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish
  • Literature, Drama and Music
    • ‘Go west, young man!’ The Frontier and the West in the American Mindset
    • Literature and Digital Culture
    • The Blackbird Bookclub
    • World Literature: Global Voices, Continuation
    • Writing Women: A Journey through Contemporary Women's Fiction: Part 3
    • Playing Shakespeare
    • Vienna: City of Dreams
  • Personal Development, Religion and Science
    • Key Themes in Social Psychology
    • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
    • Star Gazing: The Night Sky
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EVENT
'20 YEARS OF SARC' AT SONORITIES FESTIVAL BELFAST, 8–13 APRIL

The newly rebranded SARC: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Sound and Music will celebrate its 20th anniversary through a series of events in 2024.

As part of the celebrations, a number of events will be hosted during Sonorities Festival Belfast from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 April 2024. Over the years the festival has brought some of the most exciting and groundbreaking acts to Belfast in areas such as experimental music, contemporary music, improvisation, electroacoustic and sound art. On Thursday 11 April from 7.00pm to 8.00pm in the Sonic Lab we will celebrate ‘20 Years of SARC’ with an immersive experience based on the festival archives, followed by a reception and dinner.

Everyone is welcome to attend; all tickets are free and can be booked here.

Two decades since the SARC building was conceived by Professor Michael Alcorn and opened by world-renowned composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, SARC proudly celebrates the richness of work by students and staff that propelled the Centre to international acclaim, with a reputation of excellence in sound and music research.

Following the appointment of Professor Pedro Rebelo as Director, SARC has gone through significant expansion of the range of research interests, which currently involves over 70 researchers across six schools. We continue to invite academics and researchers with an interest in music and sound to join us at the Centre to become part of our research community, access state-of-the-art facilities and pursue interdisciplinary research projects. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact: sarc@qub.ac.uk.

Find out more: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Sound and Music

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food on a table, marking an Eid al-Fitr celebration
CELEBRATION
EID RADIANCE: CELEBRATION

iRise (Queen's Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network), the Student Experience Team and the Diversity, Inclusion and Staff Wellbeing Unit invite colleagues to celebrate Eid al-Fitr – the 'Feast of Fast-Breaking' – on Wednesday 10 April from 4.00pm to 7.00pm in The Cube, One Elmwood.

Open to staff and students, this event is an opportunity to bring together members of Queen's community in a festive and inclusive gathering; to connect, share traditions, and create lasting memories in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Registration is required, as spaces are limited. Please register here.

If you are a staff member or student and would like to showcase a display of traditional attire, artifacts, storytelling and customs from various Eid-celebrating cultures, including providing educational insights and promoting cultural exchange, please contact Victoria Gilroy at v.gilroy@qub.ac.uk.

For more information on key Diversity / Recognition Days at Queen's, visit the Diversity and Inclusion website.

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portrait illustration by of young bespectacled woman feeding a parrot a cracker, by Laura Callaghan
CELEBRATING OUR STAFF
NAUGHTON GALLERY AND QUEEN'S GENDER INITIATIVE: PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATION PROJECT

The Naughton Gallery and Queen’s Gender Initiative have organised a new collaborative project to celebrate and promote the impactful contributions of women at Queen’s. This project will highlight the critical and varied roles that a diverse range of women play across the University through the commissioning of a range of watercolour portraits by internationally renowned Irish artist Laura Callaghan.

Staff and students are invited to nominate women working across the University to have their portrait created by Callaghan. While various significant women from throughout the history of Queen’s are highlighted through the 'Visionary Women' portrait collection in the Great Hall, this project is focused on the present.

The portraits will become part of the University Art Collection and will be unveiled in a special exhibition at the Naughton Gallery in November 2024.

The call for nominations from staff and students will run until 15 April.*

More details and the nomination form can be found here.

* The project’s Open Call (opened on 4 March and continuing until 15 April) invites staff and students to nominate women working across the University, including both academic and professional services staff, to have their portrait created by Callaghan. Whilst various significant women from throughout the history of Queen’s are highlighted through the Visionary Women portrait collection in the Great Hall, this project is focusing on the present, recognising essential support staff, inspirational leaders, and boundary-pushing academics who make a significant contribution to the fabric of Queen’s today.

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EVENT
REACH '24 – NEW FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND SUSTAINABILITY AT QUEEN'S, 18–20 APRIL 2024

Queen's University in collaboration with SDSN Ireland is launching Reach '24, a new arts and sustainability festival.

This first year of the festival will showcase a range of projects, practice-based work and community engagement projects from across Ireland. The programme also features film screenings, workshops and talks on policy, practice and community engagement in the arts and sustainability.

More information, including how to register, can be found on the Sustainability website.

swimmer and coach smiling at a swimathon
QUEEN'S SPORT
SPRING PROGRAMMES AND SWIMATHON
  • Queen's Sport's Spring Course programme is open for enrolment from Monday 25 March. Course programme commences from Monday 8 April. Find out more: Activity Programme
  • NEW for Spring – Kickstart programme: Kickstart will help you learn new skills in the Gym, from how to use barbells, kettlebells and improving your movement quality to working on conditioning and getting back to a place you used to be. The full six-week programme starts on Monday 15 April. More information: Activity Programme. Book here.
  • Swimathon Returns To Queen's: for those looking for a new swim challenge or a reason to get back into the pool. Find out more: Swimathon Returns To Queen's
person sitting outdoors on grass writing in a notebook
EVENT
QUEEN'S MULTILINGUAL POETRY FESTIVAL

The Queen's community is invited to the University's annual multilingual poetry festival on Thursday 18 April from 5.30pm to 8.30pm in the Junction Café area of the Main Site Tower. This event includes readings, musical performances by local artists, refreshments and opportunities to mingle with students, staff and other attendees.

This year you are invited to share poetry you create using your home language(s) or existing poetry that you want to share in a language you have knowledge of. If you are interested in being part of this event, and in reading a poem, please fill out this form.

The deadline for submission of poems is Monday 8 April.

This festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of languages through the art of poetry. We believe that poetry has the power to transcend language barriers and bring people together, and we hope that this festival will be a chance for people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy the beauty of words.

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TAKE PART
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE INSIGHTS – TEACHING STAFF SURVEY 2024

The Digital Experience Insights Survey for all Teaching Staff 2024 is now live. All full-time or part-time teaching staff at Queen’s will have been sent an email with a survey link. If this includes you, please complete the short survey and let the Centre for Educational Development (CED) know your digital experiences and thoughts.

CED knows that demands on your time are very high but if you can spare 10 minutes to gather valued feedback it would be very much appreciated. You can also enter the Digital Experience Insights Teaching Staff 2024 Survey here.

On completion of the survey, all teaching staff can enter a separate prize draw to win Amazon vouchers up to £100. This year there are more prizes to be won.

For any queries about the Digital Experience Insights Teaching Survey, please email ced@qub.ac.uk.

About the Survey

The Digital Experience Insights Survey for Teaching Staff is part of a national annual survey to find out how staff use digital technologies and how this affects their experience of teaching. It is aimed to inform the digital environment through feedback and bring about positive change. We know that digital issues are important to you so help us to improve and shape your digital experience.

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jovial mature couple looking over documents in a home sitting room setting
INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
UPDATE OR CREATE YOUR WILL FOR FREE

In Northern Ireland 80 per cent of adults don’t have a will.

Queen’s has teamed up with trusted online wills provider, Bequeathed, to allow you to update or create your will for free, with expert advice, from the comfort of your own home.

Taking the time now to write your will, means the people and causes you care about will be well looked after. There’s no obligation to leave a gift in your will to Queen’s, but we hope it’s something you might consider as an investment in the future of education and research in Northern Ireland.

Find out more at go.qub.ac.uk/freewills or contact l.carey@qub.ac.uk to discuss further.

STUDENTS' UNION
QUB RAG (RAISE AND GIVE) dRAG NIGHT 2024

QUB RAG (Raise and Give) invites the Queen's community to its dRAG Night 2024 on Monday 15 April in the Mandela Hall, One Elmwood. Doors open at 8.00pm. All are welcome.

This evening of glitter and self-expression will include drag performances full of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, from lip-sync battles to dance numbers.

If your department would like to sponsor a table at the event, view this sponsorship package and get in touch with QUB RAG Chair, Harshitha (h.manjularajappa@qub.ac.uk) by Wednesday 27 March.

Book your ticket here. All proceeds will be donated to local charities, Hope 4 Life NI, Brainwaves NI, and The Rainbow Project.

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 or Alice at qpol@qub.ac.uk.

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The Conversation icon
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 12.5 million people internationally. Read the latest:

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Stephen Jones, Neighbourhood Engagement Team
STAFF PROFILES
SPOTLIGHT ON... STEPHEN JONES

Our latest 'Spotlight on our Staff' profile features Stephen Jones.

Stephen is Joint University and Colleges Neighbourhood Officer in Queen's Neighbourhood Engagement team, within the Public Engagement Office in the Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Directorate.

Read Stephen's profile.

RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
THE CONVERSATION: MHLS FACULTY TRAINING SESSION

Queen's Faculty-facing Communications Officer for Medicine, Health and Life Sciences is hosting a virtual media training session with The Conversation UK for academics and researchers in the faculty on Wednesday 27 March from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Please register via Eventbrite. (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.)

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

The editor will also 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.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss their research with the editor and pitch potential story ideas.

For further information, please contact Sian in Queen's Communications Office via email: s.devlin@qub.ac.uk

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Queens Business School, main entrance, autumn 2023
EVENT
THIRD INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE ON DISABILITY AND CONSUMPTION – ICDC2024

Staff are invited to the Third Interdisciplinary Conference on Disability and Consumption – ICDC2024 – taking place on Friday 12 April from 9.00am to 5.30pm in the Lecture Theatre (room 0G.013), Queen's Business School. Colleagues can join for the full day or for specific sessions. View the event programme here.

To confirm your attendance, please email Dr Hilary Downey: hilary.downey@qub.ac.uk.

The conference Co-Chairs are Dr Hilary Downey (Queen’s University Belfast), Dr Anthony Beudaert (Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès), and Dr Jean-Philippe Nau (Université de Lorraine).

A significant part of the sociological, anthropological, historical and philosophical work on disability published since the 1970s falls within the field of disability studies. This interdisciplinary field of research "challenges the popular view that disability equates with human failing" (Goodley, 2017, p. xi). This prolific field of research gives rise to eclectic and critical work with strong theoretical contributions. However, the social model of disability is in turn subject to strong criticism because of its insufficient consideration of the impairment and its subjective experience. The aim for the ICDC2024 conference to set another milestone, further advancing the conceptualization and understanding of disability and consumption.

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EVENT
INAUGURAL LECTURE: PROFESSOR MARTIN MATHIEU

The School of Mathematics and Physics invites colleagues to the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Martin Mathieu, taking place on Wednesday 22 May from 4.00pm to 5.30pm in Bell Lecture Theatre, Main Physics Building.

Professor Mathieu's lecture will focus on the topic 'Analysis, Algebra, Topology'.

Find out more and register here: Inaugural Lecture, Professor Martin Mathieu

Teaching Centre
LECTURE
'COMMUTATIVITY AND ORTHOGONALITY OF SIMILARITY ORBITS IN BANACH ALGEBRAS'

Staff are invited to a public lecture on 'Commutativity and Orthogonality of Similarity Orbits in Banach Algebras', given by Dr Francois Schulz (University of Johannesburg) on Monday 25 March at 4.00pm in the Mathematics and Physics Teaching Centre, room 0G.005.

This lecture – part of Dr Schulz's UK lecture tour, funded by the London Mathematical Society – will be hosted by Professor Martin Mathieu (School of Mathematics and Physics) as part of the School's weekly colloquium.

For further information, contact Professor Mathieu at m.m@qub.ac.uk

Spectral theory is a subdiscipline of Functional Analysis which uses generalised eigenvalues of bounded linear operators to describe phenomena in infinite-dimensional spaces. The correct setting for this theory is the concept of a Banach algebra which extends the notion of an algebra of matrices. In this lecture, which will be accessible to a general audience, Dr. Schulz will explore when the similarity orbits of two Banach algebra elements commute with each other which, amongst others, leads to generalisations of well-known classical results by Zemanek.

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promotional graphic for Mitchell Institute Events, showing Beacon of Hope sculpture in Belfast
EVENT
MITCHELL INSTITUTE NEWS AND EVENTS

The Mitchell Institute invites staff to the following events. More information and registration can be found at the links below:

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MITCHELL INSTITUTE
SABBATICAL FELLOWSHIP SCHEME FOR 2024-25

The Mitchell Institute is pleased to announce the Sabbatical Fellowship Scheme for 2024-25. This scheme is open to all Queen’s University Belfast academic staff who have already been awarded Sabbatical Leave by their School during 2024-25.

Read more on the 2023-24 Sabbatical Fellows’ experience and full details on how to apply for the next academic year here.

For the duration of their Fellowship – up to one semester – each of the three successful applicants will: be provided with office space at the Institute; receive £4,000 to support research activities (as agreed with the Institute Director); will present their research in a Mitchell Institute Lecture or Workshop during their period at the Institute.

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Máire McCafferty, UCD
SEMINAR
IRISH-LANGUAGE SEMINAR: 'THE IRISH COLLEGES AND THE LANGUAGE REVIVAL IN EARLY-TWENTIETH CENTURY ULSTER'

All are welcome to an Irish-language seminar from Máire McCafferty (UCD) on Tuesday 9 April from 1.00pm to 2.00pm in 12 University Square, room 0G/002.

Máire’s paper is entitled 'Ó Bhéal Feirste go Rann na Feirste: Na Coláistí Gaeilge agus gluaiseacht na teanga i gCúige Uladh san fhichiú haois luath' [From Belfast to Ranafast: The Irish colleges and the language revival in early-twentieth century Ulster].

The talk will discuss the history of the Irish Language Colleges in the province of Ulster from 1905-c.1935, and the value of the Colleges for the language movement in the province after 1921 will be shown in particular. The talk is part of a project entitled 'Language beyond Borders: the relationship between Colaiste Bhríde, Ranafast, and the Irish language movement in Northern Ireland during the 1920s', funded by the Royal Irish Academy.

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hand-drawn picture of a herb from the Middle Ages
EVENT
'SAVOURING THE MIDDLE AGES THROUGH ITS HERBS'

Staff are invited to the hybrid event, 'Savouring the Middle Ages through its Herbs', taking place on Friday 12 April at 5.00pm in McMordie Hall, Music Building (main site) and online.

Register here

Join the Wild Cook (Eleonora Matarrese) on a fascinating journey through the secrets of medieval plants and their modern-day significance in horticulture and food. Uncover the hidden meanings behind the illustrations and the valuable insights into the scientific and nutritional properties of these ancient plants. Discover how our ancestors' observations shaped our understanding of nature and its wonders.

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Queen's University Belfast Digital Scholarship Hub homepage screengrab
DEMO/WORKSHOP
DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP HUB: TRANSKRIBUS OVERVIEW AND WORKSHOP

The next event in the 2023-4 series of Digital Scholarship Hub monthly events takes place on Tuesday 9 April from 1.00pm to 3.00pm, on Teams and in-person (McClay Library Auditorium, lunch provided). The event – 'Transkribus overview and workshop' – will be delivered by Dr Janée Allsman (UCD).

This event will consist of a one-hour demonstration of how to use Transkribus, followed by a hands-on workshop where participants will work on transcribing a document of their own. Scholars and colleagues working on any kind of manuscript or archival materials who would like to participate and investigate the potential of this software for their research are invited to attend.

Please register your attendance here.

Transkribus is an AI-powered platform providing text recognition and layout analysis for historical documents. Using Transkribus, researchers can digitally transcribe, tag, and search manuscript and printed texts individually or collaboratively. To accelerate the transcription of manuscript documents, Transkribus offers a range of publicly accessible Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) models, as well as the option of training your own public or private HTR model tailored to your collection of documents.

View this semester's programme of Digital Scholarship Hub events here.

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Queen's Medialab - graphic promoting Capturelab facility: 'JR Chang: WonderForest'
WORKSHOP
MEDIALAB – CAPTURELAB TRAINING NEEDS

Queen's Medialab is running a workshop on Capturelab Training Needs on Wednesday 27 March from 11.00am to 12.30pm (including time for networking and some light refreshments) in 26 University Square, room 01/005.

Staff with an interest in utilizing Capturelab's facilities for virtual and advanced media production are welcome to attend.

To facilitate catering arrangements, please confirm your attendance here.

The commissioning of Medialab’s virtual production facility and eXtended Reality stage, the Capturelab, is nearing completion and, in partnership with the suppliers, Digital Garage, Medialab have planned an onsite workshop to discuss the findings and have a introduction overview of the use cases and training needs of staff.

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800x533 Lanyon July 2018
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
WEEKLY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND NEWS

Read this week's summary of funding opportunities and news from the Research Development team.

Join the mailing list.

RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE
NEW EDITION: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Staff are invited to view the second edition of the new Research and Innovation Newsletter.

This new newsletter provides the entire research community at Queen’s with information on the latest news, announcements and events related to their researcher journey and on Research and Innovation activities at Queen’s.

Subscribe here.

This edition includes:

  • Reaching wider audiences with your work
  • Funding opportunities and news
  • Training and development highlights
  • Research and Enterprise Intranet Chatbot now live
  • Leading Researchers Programme
  • Upcoming events
  • and much more
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a young Marie Curie (Creative Commons)
RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE
HORIZON EUROPE – MSCA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS – STAFF INFORMATION SESSION

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships are prestigious two-year fellowships open to excellent candidates of any nationality, with a focus on training, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility.

Postdocs and early career academic staff are invited to a Fellowships Information Session taking place on Thursday 18 April from 12.00pm to 1.30pm in the Seminar Room, Research and Enterprise Directorate, 63 University Road. Please note this is an in-person event only.

Please register for the session here.

Attendees will find out more about the scheme and hear about the experiences of successful Queen's Supervisors and Fellows.

The deadline for applications to the scheme is September 2024.

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TAKE PART
INTERVIEW-BASED STUDY: AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD)

Researchers in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences are looking for adults in Northern Ireland willing to share their experiences of having a parent with sight loss caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Eligible participants must:

  1. be aged 18 years or older;
  2. have a parent with sight loss because of AMD;
  3. live in Northern Ireland;
  4. have no diagnosis of any AMD.

Participants will receive a £30 gift voucher upon completion of the study and travel expenses will be reimbursed.

To find out more please contact Miguel via phone or email: +447879480408 / mgedtal02@qub.ac.uk.

TAKE PART
RESEARCH STUDY: VICTIMS OF CRIME – SCREENING SURVEY

Researchers at Queen's School of Psychology are interested in the relationship between criminal justice system experiences, emotions and mental health. If you are 18+, have experienced crime and want to contribute to research on crime victims' and survivors' mental health and well-being, the team would like to hear from you.

Sign up here.

Those interested are asked to consider coming into Queen's University to complete the study. The study – lasting approximately 45 minutes – is computer-based and involves completing surveys about your well-being, then playing a game. All participants will receive a £5 Amazon voucher to help offset some of the cost of travelling into Queen's.

Please email kmcgaughey04@qub.ac.uk with any questions.

Who can participate?

  • You must be 18+ and live in the UK
  • You can take part if you have been a victim of crime
  • The crime does not have to be recent – it could be at any point during your life
  • You are still a victim of crime even if you did not report this to police
  • You might not feel like the word 'victim' applies to you – that’s okay. If you have experienced crime at the hands of someone else, you can participate.

Participants get a £5 Amazon voucher.

What does the study involve?

  • Takes 45 minutes
  • Location: David Keir Building at Queen’s University Belfast
  • You will complete a survey, play a game and then control a noise-blast machine
  • The study will contribute to knowledge on crime victims’ emotions and mental health
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CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
REFLECTIONS LEARNING AND TEACHING JOURNAL

The latest issue of Reflections (ISSN 2752-6895) is now available on the CED website.

This issue includes articles from a number of the Queen’s Teaching Award winners in 2023, highlights three Education and Skills strategic projects, and details two initiatives to support the student experience – the Assessment Support Hub and InQUBate.

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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.

More information: Campus Development: The week ahead.

 

still from film 'Baltimore' showing a woman and two men standing outdoors with their right fists raised
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
QFT WHAT'S ON

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

NEW THIS WEEK:

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QFT Player page for Delivering the Impossible Agreement 25 film showing Senator George J. Mitchell on the Whitla Hall stage delivering his speech during the Agreement 25 conference
DOCUMENTARY
WATCH FREE ON QFT PLAYER: 'DELIVERING THE IMPOSSIBLE: AGREEMENT 25'

Produced in partnership with Emmy-nominated studio Fine Point Films, Delivering the Impossible: Agreement 25 is a short documentary film that tells the story of the people behind the delivery of the NI peace conference hosted here at Queen's in April 2023 – including interviews with staff, students and global leaders.

The film captures and celebrates the remarkable collaborative effort from across the University community that made possible the successful delivery of such a high-profile and impactful international conference.

Watch the documentary free on the QFT Player.

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exhibit from 'Clear!', The Naughton Gallery's exhibition on the life and work of Frank Pantridge
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
NAUGHTON GALLERY | CURRENT EXHIBITION: 'CLEAR!'

The Naughton Gallery is pleased to present its new exhibition, CLEAR!, an exhibition of illustrations and archival material reflecting on the life of Frank Pantridge, and his invention of the portable defibrillator.

This exhibition is open until Sunday 14 April. Free entry. All welcome.

Known as both complex and outspoken, Frank Pantridge is widely regarded as the Father of Emergency Medicine. This exhibition charts Pantridge’s life and work, from his student days at Queen’s University Belfast and his time as a Prisoner of War during WWII to his life at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where his famous invention came into existence. The legacy of the portable defibrillator is also explored, as it became more refined through the decades due to innovations in technology. Portable defibrillators now hang on the walls of public buildings across the world and are responsible for saving millions of lives.

The Naughton Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11.00am to 4.00pm. All are welcome.

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entrance to the Botanic Gardens, Belfast
WELLBEING
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS

The Staff Wellbeing team invite colleagues to the following upcoming events. Information and registration can be found via iTrent Employee Self Service.* All events are delivered online.

  • Responding to Staff in Distress and/or Crisis, Information Session – People Managers Only: Wednesday 28 March and Thursday 11 April, 10.00am to 11.00am
  • Drug and Alcohol Awareness, with Inspire: Wednesday 17 April and Wednesday 22 May, 10.00am to 11.30am
  • Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing, with Inspire: Wednesday 12 June, 10.00am to 11.30am

* When registering, search for 'Wellbeing' to see courses with availability. Additional courses will be added to the programme in the coming weeks.

For queries, please contact the Staff Wellbeing team at staffwellbeing@qub.ac.uk.

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CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEARNING AND TEACHING EVENTS

The following learning events are now open for application. Full information and registration can be found via the iTrent links below.

  • External Examiners Course: 18 April, 9.00am to 4.00pm – generic course for new or experienced examiners, designed by experts in the fields of HE assessment and examining.
  • Introduction to Teaching: 2 to 6 September, 10.00am to 4.00pm – week of supported preparation for staff that have not previously been responsible for delivering a module.
  • HEA fellowship claims – online programmes where participants will complete their claim for Fellowship/Associate Fellowship/Senior Fellowship HEA:
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AI HUB
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT QUEEN'S – SUPPORT AND TRAINING

WORKSHOP | Shaping Our Future: AI Principles and Practice for a Better Tomorrow

Jisc are facilitating an AI workshop on Tuesday 9 April at Riddel Hall to explore approaches to adopting AI at Queen’s, with discussions focusing on the values that will shape our journey and the support systems necessary for success.

Register here: Workshop registration: Shaping Our Future: AI Principles and Practice for a Better Tomorrow

AI Detection

While the launch of ChatGPT has ignited a surge of interest in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools and excitement in what they can do, there is an equal level of concern regarding the possibility of an epidemic of AI-based cheating. Professor Phil Hanna (Dean of Education, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences) provides Queen's guidance on the use of AI detection tools, highlighting concerns regarding the reliability and accuracy of AI detection tools.

AI ‘How to’ Videos (by Dr Dan Corbett)

Check out the following series of AI ‘how to’ videos created by Dr. Dan Corbett, School of Pharmacy. They include a mix of content supporting staff and students in their use of AI in different aspects of teaching and learning at Queen’s.

Latest AI Guidance

You can keep abreast of the latest Queen's Guidance on the use of AI in Assessment here. Also, don’t forget that Copilot (formerly Microsoft Bing Chat Enterprise) is available to all Queen’s University staff. This AI-driven web chat operates within the secure QUB environment, safeguarding your data. Access is simple—just log in using your QUB email address. For more details, visit the Queen’s AI Hub.

AI Support and Training

Explore the latest training and sign up for the 'AI Lunchtime Bytes' series:

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

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Canvas graphic
LEARNING AND TEACHING
CANVAS VLE SUPPORT+

Turnitin Canvas Plagiarism Framework now available

The Canvas Plagiarism Framework (CPF) is now available for Turnitin assignment setup and submission on Canvas. It offers streamlined assignment creation and supports submissions through the Student Canvas App. Learn more about CPF benefits here.

There will be a transition period between March and August where you can choose between the existing Turnitin functionality and CPF. Some schools may adopt a School-wide approach for consistency in the student experience. If you wish to use CPF now, please confirm with your School.

For detailed instructions on assignment creation, accessing Similarity Reports, grading, and feedback provision using CPF, refer to the latest guidance.

Register for upcoming 'Turnitin Essentials' training sessions to facilitate the transition to CPF.

Semester 2 Training Events

Access Semester 2 training on the Training Events calendar. Filter by category and browse what's on offer this semester. Book your place early to avoid disappointment.

One-to-one Consultations

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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A laptop sitting on a desk surrounded by books and plants
TRAINING
DIGITAL LEARNING EVENTS

Staff training delivered by CED, Digital and Information Services and various Digital Learning teams across Faculties is now available to book via the Digital Learning Training Events calendar.

Coming up this week:

man wearing glasses in clean, bright office space engaged in online training or meeting
DIGITAL AND INFORMATION SERVICES
IT TRAINING COURSES

The full programme of IT training courses is available on iTrent, including new courses. If your School or Directorate requires IT training for staff, geared towards a specific area or set of tasks, email itcourses@qub.ac.uk who will arrange a consultation.

View additional training materials here.

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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