Queen's University Social Charter was launched, setting out a range of principles to guide and inspire our engagement with local partners - not least the principles of equality and social justice.

Queen’s University announced plans to officially seek University of Sanctuary recognition, including new measures to support at-risk academics and students.

Sanctuary work across Queen's University was identified and documented, and the Our Path to Sanctuary website was designed and launched. This evolving resource continues to grow, reflecting the University’s ongoing commitment.

Queen's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, and Mehrshad Esfandiari, Chair of Belfast City of Sanctuary, came together in a significant gesture of synergy and solidarity, signing a pledge to affirm Queen’s University’s commitment to the vision of City of Sanctuary.

The internal Path to Sanctuary Operational Group was established and met for the first time. It has since met three times a year.

The Queen's University Sanctuary Activity webpage was developed, showcasing the work of Queen’s students, staff, and collaborators.

A series of Sanctuary consultation workshops was designed and delivered, engaging more than 100 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers living in hotels and dispersal accommodation. Networks were expanded and Sanctuary mailing lists were created.

A full-time, permanent University of Sanctuary Coordinator post was created and filled, based in the Civic Engagement Team.

Several projects were funded through the University's CiviContribution Fund, enabling staff and students to deliver diverse and impactful projects. Among these were Sanctuary-related initiatives such as Sustaining SELF, Art for Change, Show and Tell, Homework Clubs, Refugees Welcome at QFT, and LGBTQueen’s in support of Rainbow Refugees NI.

The Small Worlds workshop was offered to Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility staff, with the opportunity to sit at tables hosted by asylum seekers and refugees, who shared stories of their countries and journeys.

The Sanctuary Coffee Mornings at Queen's began with a pilot of four sessions, welcoming members of the Sanctuary network to the University for tea, coffee, buns, and information sharing.

Sanctuary Coffee Mornings continued with a series of 16 weekly sessions, connecting individuals with a wide range of services inside and outside Queen's University.

As part of the University of Sanctuary assessment process, Queen’s hosted an on-site visit and appraisal call. Members of Places of Sanctuary Ireland and Belfast City of Sanctuary visited to learn about our work and tour Sanctuary spaces, while a wide range of Queen's staff and external partners presented to the Universities of Sanctuary steering group.

Queen’s an official Sanctuary in its 180th Anniversary Year. The award status comes as the University officially launched its 180th anniversary year, hosting a special event with over 250 attendees, celebrating the impact the University has on communities locally, nationally and internationally.

For the first time, Queen's University hosted the Belfast City of Sanctuary Annual General Meeting.

Refugee Week at Queen's University was celebrated with Northern Ireland Now: Contemporary Collecting (a Nerve Centre screening), the official University of Sanctuary Celebrations, the Big Sanctuary Information Fair (in partnership with the Consular Corps NI, Advice NI, and the NI Housing Executive), and participation in the Refugee Picnic.

The Sanctuary Summer Pilot at Queen's University was launched, featuring academic English classes (with the Academic English Service), a Design Jam session (Graduate School), and CV-writing workshops (Careers, Employability and Skills).

The Queen's University Sanctuary WhatsApp Channel was launched. Requested by members of our Sanctuary networks and developed with the support of our Comms team, the channel provides a safe space to share updates and surveys on our initiatives.

The Queen's University Sanctuary Roadshow 2025–2026 was launched, beginning with a visit to members of the ANAKA Women’s Collective at the GROW NI community garden in North Belfast.