Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability

Ethics, responsibility, and sustainability are addressed within all of the degree programmes offered at Queen’s Business School. This is achieved through a combination of dedicated modules, including Business, Government and Society and Business Ethics, as well as via the integration of content on ERS within a broad range of other subject areas, such as Supply Chain Management, Financial Institutions and Markets, Public Economics, and many more.

We have a long history of engaging in world-class research addressing issues related to ethics, responsibility, and sustainability. Recent examples include Professor Martin Quinn’s work on social impact reporting in credit unions; Professor John Turner, Dr David Jordan, and Dr Graham Brownlow’s examination of whether there has been a peace dividend in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement; Dr Thomas Hasting’s exploration of environmental and economic challenges in rice farming in Thailand; and Dr Denise Currie and Dr Heike Schröder-Altmann’s research on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the health and social care workforce.

At QBS, our mission is to educate and explore for the benefit of business and society. In line with Queen’s Strategy 2030, we are striving to develop principled and effective leaders, as well as expand research-led dialogue and engagement with business, civil society, and government – including within the domains of ethics, responsibility, and sustainability. To achieve this we regularly host events, work with businesses, engage with policy makers, support communities, and develop innovative resources.

Sustainability is at the heart of the Queen’s Business School campus at Riddel Hall. This is especially evident in our Student Hub, which features extensive use of solar power, a living roof, “swift bricks” to support endangered bird species, and – below ground – the largest geothermal energy project in Northern Ireland. In addition, our “Business & Beans” café is the first outlet on campus not to utilise single-use disposable cups, encouraging customers to bring their own reusable cups or participate in a loan cup scheme where you can “rent” a 2GoCup for a small deposit.