The Public Affairs team provide a coordinating hub for the University’s Social Charter activities as well as outreach activity with elected political representatives and government.
The team provides support to the University's senior management in developing and maintaining the institution's relationships with key stakeholders, including MLAs; Ministers; MPs; Councils and Councillors; government departments (in particular the Department for the Economy); civil servants and policy advisers.
They also promote the values of civic and social responsibility embodied in the themes and principles of the University’s Social Charter.
Public Affairs acts as a point of contact for politicians and officials seeking to engage with the University, and as a first port of call for staff across Queen’s looking for help and advice in their dealings with elected representatives and government officials.
The Public Affairs portfolio of work also includes: issue-specific lobbying; monitoring of legislative issues; responding to Assembly Questions and inquiries; preparation of papers and briefings on government and parliamentary business; and representational duties.
Other key aims are, helping to ensure that the strategic business of the University remains high on the political agenda, and that Queen’s continues to play a leading role in shaping the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of Northern Ireland.

The team has helped shape public policy by responding to consultations issued by Belfast City Council and the NI Assembly. For further details, follow the link below.
Political Engagement
Public Affairs promote the values of the Social Charter, and support a range of social and civic initiatives in our community. Examples of some of the projects we support can be found through the link below.
Social and Civic EngagementProtocols for engaging with politicians
The University has in place a number of protocols to assist staff in their dealings with elected representatives and government officials.
Protocols are in place for staff dealing with:
- Assembly and Parliamentary Questions;
- Correspondence;
- Invitations and Visits;
- Requests for Information.