“I first toured Queen’s University Belfast when I was 19, and from that moment I knew it was where I wanted to be. To now be recognised as part of the 18–45 Leaders Group feels incredibly special. It reflects not only my own journey but also the mentorship and support I’ve received from the Queen’s community.” 

A PhD candidate in Children’s Rights at Queen’s University Belfast, Valerie Weisler is researching a child’s right to information and working with children in museums to design accessible, child-friendly materials. Originally from New York, she brings an international perspective to her research, which focuses on empowering children to shape how their rights are communicated. 

“I was the only American in my Master’s in Children’s Rights and remain the only American PhD candidate in the field at Queen’s,” she says. “My research takes place in New York, where children’s rights remain unratified. I hope my work contributes to changing that.” 

Valerie credits Queen’s with inspiring her confidence and direction as a researcher. “Queen’s is where the leading experts in children’s rights are. Learning from them has shaped me academically and personally.”