Staff Nominations for Election
Thank you for your interest in joining the Senate, either as a Pro-Chancellor, or as a Lay Member at Queen’s University Belfast. As the current Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Senate, it is a great privilege to extend my personal welcome to this opportunity to serve one of the most prestigious institutions on these islands.
Queen’s is more than a university it is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s intellectual, cultural, civic and economic life.
Read more Read lessQueen’s University Senate
Senate, the governing body of Queen’s University Belfast, is seeking to appoint two new independent members to University Pro-Chancellor roles, as well as one Lay Member, while also creating a reserve list for future lay member appointments, from 1 August 2025.
Members of Senate require a keen interest in and empathy for Higher Education and be willing to commit their time and expertise to supporting the University in delivering on its significant ambitions. Applications are invited from individuals with a record of successful leadership within a public, private or third sector organisation, who are passionate about supporting an internationally competitive, research-intensive and diverse University
Strategy 2030
"Strategy 2030 sets out our ambition for the next ten years to shape a better world through life-changing education and research across our disciplines, investing in our people, both students and staff, to ensure excellence and impact."
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Delivering for our Future
At 180 years old, Queen’s is one of the oldest universities in the UK. Founded in 1845, as part of the federal Queen’s University of Ireland with Colleges in Belfast, Galway and Cork, it was awarded independent degree awarding powers in 1908, when it became a university in its own right. It has a rich and distinguished history and is the only Russell Group university in Northern Ireland.
- An Internationally Respected University
Queen's is ranked in the top 200 in the world for impact and sustainability (THE Impact Rankings 2024/QS World University Rankings 2025: Sustainability). It has 21 subjects in the top 200 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025) with four of those subjects in the World Top 100 (QS World Rankings by subject 2025) - Pharmacy and Pharmacology; Nursing; Performing Arts; and Social Policy and Administration. In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, 2024), we have 15 subjects in the top 200 in the world.
Queen’s University Belfast is pivotal to Northern Ireland’s social and economic development and in shaping the world we live in. Queen’s students benefit from a world-leading educational experience, with the Complete University Guide 2025 having ranked Queen’s eighth in the UK for Graduate Prospects. Over 99% of Queen’s research environment, and 88% of research submitted by Queen’s, has been assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. We have over 4,000 international students from over 90 different countries and we are 6th in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025).
We’re proud to be the first university in Ireland - and only the second in the UK - to earn an Athena Swan Gold Award for our commitment to gender equality. In recognition of our ongoing efforts to advance gender, race, and disability equality, we received the Silver Diversity Mark in 2021.
The University is a seven-times winner of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education. This prestigious award is the highest national honour available to universities and FE colleges across the UK, approved directly by The Queen and Parliament.
We were ranked 2nd in the UK for entrepreneurial impact (Octopus Ventures, 2022).Through QUBIS Ltd, our commercial arm, we have created over 100 spin-out companies, generating £323m in revenue. Queen’s is ranked in the top 10 universities in the UK for number of spin-out companies (Royal Academy of Engineering and Beauhurst, 2025).
Queen’s University makes a huge contribution across society, providing young people from a multitude of backgrounds with the opportunity to fulfil their potential and helping find solutions to challenges within our communities. As a key-player in the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), we accelerate economic growth, ensuring a talent pipeline of fully equipped, future-ready graduates to meet demand.
As a global institution, we have a major role to play in making a positive impact in our environment. Strategy 2030 sets out how we will embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals across all our activities, from research and education to adopting a leadership role in the promotion of the SDGs, and leading by example in areas such as equality, diversity and inclusion, sustainable procurement and a commitment to disinvestment from fossil fuels. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, having invested £10 million to date in over 80 energy efficiency projects and we are currently developing the next stage of our carbon strategy.
The role of a university goes beyond education and skills; we have a key influence on the economy, through research and innovation, which drives economic growth, creating new and better jobs. Our activity in areas such as research exchange and knowledge exports has an estimated annual impact of over £3billion and that on average, a degree from Queen’s is worth over £100k to the graduate. Every £1 invested in Queen's generates £8.20 within the UK economy (London Economics Report).
- University Governance
Queen’s University is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and a legally independent and autonomous institution. The governance framework flows from Privy Council with the Governing Body of the University, Senate, deriving its powers from the University Charter, Statutes and supporting Regulations. These set out the purpose of the University and define its governance and rules for the conduct of university business. They are supported by the Scheme of Delegation which defines where responsibility for key decision-making lies within the university.
Senate has the ultimate responsibility for the affairs of the University – it sets the mission and strategic direction and monitors and challenges the execution of the strategy by the President and Vice-Chancellor and the University Management Board. The role of Senate is set out in the Statement of Primary Responsibilities.
Senate is supported through various core Committees which focus on particular areas of university activity and has delegated authority to the Academic Council; the Planning, Finance and Resources Committee; the Audit and Risk Committee; the Governance and Nominations Committee; the Remuneration Committee; and the People and Culture Committee. Members of Senate are members of these committees which in the main, are Chaired by a Pro-Chancellor.
- Charitable Status
As a charity, all members of Senate are trustees of the charity “The Queen’s University of Belfast”. As charity trustees, members are collectively responsible for all the activities of the charity and must observe the requirements of the Charities Act, trustee and other relevant legislation, and have a shared duty of care for the charity.
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Senate Composition
The governing body has twenty-three members led by the Chair of Senate, Dr Len O’Hagan - one of the University’s two Pro-Chancellors. The Chair is responsible for the leadership and effective operation of the governing body.
The Chair is supported by four ex-officio members:
- A second Pro-Chancellor as Deputy Chair of Senate
- An additional Pro-Chancellor as appointed through this process
- The Honorary Treasurer
- The President and Vice-Chancellor
- The President of the Students’ Union
Academic Council - Two members of Academic Council are elected to Senate
Academic Staff - Two members of academic staff are elected by academic staff to Senate
Support Staff - Two members of professional services support staff are elected by support staff to Senate
Students’ Union Council - One member of the Student Council is elected by students to Senate
Convocation - The Chair of Convocation is a member of Senate during their term as Chair
Lay Members - Senate has provision for up to ten external lay members to provide a wide range of skills and expertise to support the work of Senate. One lay member will be appointed as the Senior Independent Governor.
The majority of Senate members serve for four years and are eligible to be considered for one further period of four years. Further details about the members of Senate can be found in the Senate Profiles.
Secretary to Senate - Under the Statutes of the University, The Registrar is Secretary to Senate - any queries relating to the constitution and governance of the University are handled directly through The Chancellery.
Commitment to the Senate
The Pro-Chancellors and the Lay Member of Senate will join Senate as full members from 1 August 2025 to serve a first term of four years, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further four-year term. Re-appointment is subject to satisfactory appraisals of performance during the first term in post and each case will be considered on its merits, considering the diversity of the current Senate and its balance of skills, experience and attributes.
Members are expected to attend all meeting of Senate which meets a minimum of five times each year, for approximately three hours on each occasion. Meetings are normally held on Tuesday mornings, on campus, and dates are notified in advance. To contribute and add value to the work of Senate, regular attendance is essential. Senate Briefings are held once per month via Teams on months where no meeting is scheduled, to ensure that members are kept informed of key university business. The role of Pro-Chancellor will also require attendance at monthly Officers Meetings and ad hoc between meetings.
Members are also expected to contribute to at least one of the University’s core Committees, which meet four times per year, on campus. Additional meetings may be called as required.
Other Engagements
Throughout the year, members are given the opportunity to attend / participate in all aspects of university life, to include celebratory and ceremonial occasions, such as graduation ceremonies; dinners; special events.
All new members of Senate are required to participate in the Senate Induction Programme upon appointment and in the ongoing programme of Senate briefings and development activities. The University operates in a highly complex environment, and it is important that Senate members have a full understanding of the key priorities and challenges facing the sector and the institution itself.
Principles of Public Life/Code of Conduct
Members of Senate must, both individually and collectively, observe the seven principles of public life drawn up by the Nolan Committee - selflessness; integrity; accountability; objectivity; openness; honesty; and leadership. Members must also comply fully with the University’s Code of Conduct and participate in ongoing ‘Meetings with the Chair’ on an annual basis. These meetings enable the Chair and member to consider the members contribution to the work of Senate and to identify ways in which this could be enhanced going forward.
Remuneration
The posts do not attract remuneration, however reasonable expenses incurred in respect of any activities carried out on behalf of the University, will be reimbursed in line with the University expenses policy.
Application
Please submit a CV with supporting cover letter which should detail how you match the essential and desirable experience criteria, plus a completed equal opportunity monitoring form. Please note this form is regarded as part of your application and failure to complete and return it will result in your application not being considered.
The information will be treated in the strictest confidence and protected from misuse and stored and processed within the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations and the Data Protection Act 2018. It will not be shared with the Special Committee and will only be used for the purpose of monitoring implementation of our equal opportunity policies.
Applicants should clearly outline the role for which they are applying.
Applications should be submitted by 4pm on Thursday, 26 June 2025 to senate@qub.ac.uk
Senate seeks members from a wide range of backgrounds to ensure that Senate is reflective of the diversity of the University community. It would particularly welcome nominations from anyone who identifies with an under-represented group or community. All applications are welcome and appointment will be made on merit.
Appointment Process
A Special Committee has been established to conduct the process chaired by the President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer.
- Shortlisting will be conducted on Wednesday, 2 July 2025
- Interviews will be conducted on Monday, 7 July 2025
For further information or to discuss the opportunities, please email senate@qub.ac.uk
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+ Staff Network) which helps us progress equality. We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion please visit the following web pages:
We welcome and support individuals from under-represented groups such as those from a Black and Minority Ethnic background and those with a long-term condition.