This is a great opportunity for them to connect with the wider Queen's community and begin to develop a sense of belonging from day one. 

Staff are also invited to come along, soak up the atmosphere, and help us create a great first impression for our students.

More information

The Student Engagement team (One Elmwood) is working with colleagues across campus to create a vibrant and supportive start to the academic year – an important part of delivering a transformative student experience and fostering a strong sense of student belonging.

Monday 15 September will be a full day of welcome activities, including Cool FM broadcasting live, games with Queen's Sport, food trucks and furniture on the lawn, and a few surprises.

This activity is part of wider efforts to enhance the student experience and comes ahead of next year's academic year restructure, which will introduce a three-day welcome period designed to support students as they settle in and begin their journey at Queen's.

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Projects must align with one of the university’s Social Charter themes; addressing inequalities and promoting equity, civic culture and intercultural dialogue or education with a social purpose, and should support at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For 2025/26, the CiviContribution Fund assessment panel would particularly welcome applications that:

• demonstrate innovation in their approach;
• include meaningful involvement from students;
• involve individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, including asylum seekers and refugees;
• focus on addressing need in economically deprived areas;
• have a clear impact within the local area;
• are submitted by first-time applicants.

Zumba

Fuses aerobic, conditioning and dance training exercises to a mixture of Latin and International music. This is an exciting, high energy class which is suitable for all fitness levels. You will have so much fun, you won't believe it's a workout!

Pilates

For everyone wanting to build up core, back and glute strength with control and without impact. Moves will focus on posture alignment and engagement of the muscles.

Strength for All

Provides the perfect platform for you to achieve your fitness goals. Includes using dumbbells, barbells and bodyweight to challenge all major muscle groups to become stronger

Yoga

You will be led through progressive Hatha Yoga with modifications for all. It will challenge and increase your strength and flexibility, while focusing on relaxation and mindfulness.

Tone and Trim

A progressive class using resistance and stretching exercises for precision firming and muscle conditioning, it provides an intense, non-cardio workout that targets all the major muscle groups. This class can be joined in person or online, depending on what best suits you that day.

If possible please bring your own exercise mat for the classes at Queen's Sport.

Changing facilities and showers are provided at Queen's Sport.

Booking and payment | Further information

Booking and payment can be made here. You will be also asked to complete a short health questionnaire when making the payment. This must be completed before taking part in the classes.

You will receive an email confirming the venue for the classes the week before the classes begin. The link to the hybrid Tone and Trim classes will be circulated on Monday 15 September.

Contact

To find out more about any of the sessions in advance of registering, please contact Course Enquiries at Queen's Sport at activecampus@qub.ac.uk.

This year’s programme features a broad range of short, part-time, day and evening courses – from personal finance to visual arts – each providing an opportunity for personal development as well as the discovery of new interests.

These courses at Queen's offer everyone over the age of 18 the chance to try something new and enjoy learning in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Staff are invited to share this programme with family and friends.

For more information, please contact: openlearning.education@qub.ac.uk 

More information

The quota will be based on your current usage and will still allow for growth in users' storage needs while ensuring resources are managed efficiently.

Staff who require more storage can request an increase in storage if required. Please see the QUB Policy on Staff OneDrive Storage for more information. Students who require more storage may request this via the IT Service Desk. Please note this may require approval from the Head of School or Director.

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This year’s theme, 'Hope and History', celebrates Queen’s University’s 180th anniversary – an inspiring moment to share your perspective with a curious and engaged audience.

Whether it’s a fresh insight, a personal story, or a bold vision for the future, we want to hear from you.

Let’s make this year’s TEDx event truly representative of the diverse voices across Queen’s.

• NB: You must be available on Wednesday 3 December and take part in the preparation dates for the event – these will be shared with you if selected.
• Queries: contact tedx@qub.ac.uk. 

These short breakfast events are a valuable opportunity to share good practice, exchange insights, and learn from peers in a supportive community of practice. Whether you're navigating challenges or exploring new leadership approaches, Leading Live offers a space to spark ideas, build networks, and strengthen leadership across our institution.

* Once you have booked your place on iTrent, please email staffwellbeing@qub.ac.uk to confirm your timeslot. Failure to do so may result in no timeslot being available.

** This training is included here to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday 10 September. Staff are also reminded of the Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support with personal and professional issues.

National Postdoc Appreciation Week celebrates postdoc achievements, raises awareness of their vital role in research, and recognises the incredible contributions they make to the research community.

More on this year's events:

• UK-wide NPAW National Event: This is an online masterclass focusing on resilience and self-leadership and panel discussion with speakers from across the UK who will share insights from their diverse career paths.
• Postdoc Wellbeing Morning: A Successful MYND: A chance to pause to reflect on your progress and reset your mindset to boost focus, motivation, and resilience for the year ahead. Free pastries and coffee will be served.
• Postdoc Showcase: Talks, posters, panels, a postdoc 'drop in' session, the announcement of the PDC Postdoc Awards, and networking with fellow postdocs - finishing with a drinks reception.
• A video series spotlighting some of our amazing postdocs.

There is also an option for staff or students to make a report on behalf of another student and anonymous reports can be made too.

• Find out more on the Report and Support website.
• Advice and Guidance for staff on supporting disclosures is available from the Safe and Healthy Relationships website.

About SistersIN

SistersIN is a leadership development programme that empowers Sixth Form girls across Northern Ireland to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and broaden their career horizons through mentorship, education, and hands-on, real-world experience.

At its core, it is about long-term exposure to female leaders – giving pupils inspiring role models and helping them connect classroom learning with real-world leadership.

The programme aims to “to enable, empower and develop female pupils in Education to become the leaders of tomorrow; to help them discover their full potential & open new possibilities for their professional journeys by building leadership capability and confidence.”

What does SistersIN mentoring involve?

As a mentor, you would be paired with one or two pupils in Year 13 or 14 from a participating school. The commitment includes:

• Five virtual 1:1 mentoring sessions between October and April (45–60 minutes each)
• One Job Shadow Day on 25th February 2026
• Supporting your mentee with their Leadership Project (a pupil-led initiative to positively impact their school or community)
• Offering advice, encouragement, and guidance to help them grow as leaders

The focus is on developing transferable skills like communication, teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving — not just career-specific knowledge. We provide resources, suggested discussion topics, and training, but the real value comes from mentors sharing their own real-world experience and perspective.

PDR at Queen’s provides a valuable framework for meaningful conversations, giving staff the opportunity to receive feedback, assess their progress against key priorities, and discuss personal development goals.

More information

When a recording is taking place in a teaching space the indicator light at the teaching bench will be illuminated red.

* Lecturers have the option to leave recordings fully automated, opt out of one or more lectures if needed, or change your preferences up to one hour before class using the Panopto Automated Scheduling Tool on Queen’s Online to manage the settings.

• Step-by-step instructions on using the Panopto Scheduling Tool

Support Available

• Video-Enhanced Learning Toolkit (short Canvas course)
• Panopto Training – book via the Training Events calendar
• Panopto SharePoint – guides, training and support
• Contact panopto-support@qub.ac.uk with any queries.

This online platform provides a single end-to-end system for the creation, submission, review and approval of research ethics applications.

• Guidance documents and instructional materials.
• Sign up for one or more training sessions here.

More information

All queries regarding OREM should be submitted to: worktribeethics@qub.ac.uk.

• An arrangement with a specified foreign power or entity; and
• A direction or instruction from that foreign power or entity; and
• The relevant activity is being carried out in the UK (this may be formal (for example, research) or informal (for example, a verbal agreement); and
• The activity is not an exempted activity under the Scheme.

Find out more here.

To contribute an article to Queen's Policy Engagement, please email Kevin at qpol@qub.ac.uk.

• How microbes could help solve the world's plastic pollution crisis / Como micróbios podem ajudar a resolver a crise global de poluição por plásticos, by Dr Julieanne Megaw
• Donald Trump to chair new Olympic taskforce in bid to allay international visitor concerns ahead of 2028 Los Angeles Games, by Dr Richard Hargy

If you are interested in writing a staff blog piece, please contact internalcommunications@qub.ac.uk.

Queen's Staff Forum was established in June 2018. Made up of representatives from each School, Directorate and GRI across Queen's, this group represents all of our people and provides an opportunity for staff to share their views on all aspects of working at Queen's, help shape the employee experience, and make a real difference for all who work here.

Professor Nik Zainal’s work combines computational and mathematical modelling and experimental genomics approaches to reveal how DNA damage and repair processes shape cancer.

Please contact PGJCCR@qub.ac.uk for more information. 

Changes to the fund have been introduced to:

• strengthen alignment with Queen’s R&I and internationalisation priorities;
• ensure limited funding is directed where it is most needed and where there is significant potential for publication and reputational impact; and
• bring practical considerations such as travel and expenses into line with institutional policies.

While the application process remains broadly the same, applicants will now be asked to provide:

• details of the prestige and international reach of the conference;
an outline of publication plans for the research presented; and a brief explanation of how the research aligns with institutional research themes.

In addition, successful applicants will be asked to complete a short post-conference report, helping Research and Enterprise to maximise the visibility of your participation and capture new and emerging partnerships.

Support and information:

• AI Case Studies of Queen's staff.
• AI self-help guide: AI on assessment.
• AI self-help guides: Saving time.
• AI student support page.
• Explore the AI Hub.

• Jaws
• Sanatorium
• Sorry, Baby
• The Thursday Murder Club
• Young Mothers
• The Future Blueprint: INIS NUA + discussion
• Cinema Rediscovered on Tour 2025
• Deaf
• Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
• From Ground Zero
• Trans Pride: Shinjuku Boys
• Cinemagic: A Girl Named Willow
• Ali Plumb's Untitled Film Quiz Project

From Learning for all, LinkedIn Learning, Nature Masterclasses and Recruitment and Selection Training, the Learning and Development programme of events includes courses to suit everyone.

The toolkit includes:

• Short, engaging, and informative videos, providing practical guidance to support managers at every phase of the change process;
• Practical guides, ready-to-use templates, and resources offering step-by-step advice on managing change effectively;
• Communication guidance and advice, including tips and tools to engage teams and support open dialogue throughout the change journey;
• Curated training and development opportunities to support managers and staff experiencing change.

If you require further information or support, please contact your local HR Business Partner, or email: hrhub@qub.ac.uk.

These short collaborative sessions offer a unique opportunity to translate your research into practical solutions, while allowing you to gain fresh perspectives on industry needs and build professional networks.

Feedback from former ‘Access the Expert’ hosts:

"The seminar provided a really useful platform for discussing my research with industry experts, exchanging thoughts and sharing ideas." – Dr Beatrice Smyth, Senior Lecturer, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

"The Access the Expert seminars are brilliant for connecting academics with senior business leaders. Learning about the real-world challenges involved in different business sectors really helps us to understand the pathways to real-world impact of our research." – Professor Iain Styles, School of Electonics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

• Rapid access to assessment policies, guidance on procedures, and answers to student-related queries
• Information drawn from trusted sources such as:
  • Queen’s policies and websites
  • Assessment Handbook 2024-25
  • Assessment Support Hub
  • QAA UK Quality Code
  • QUB Staff Guidance on Generative AI, and more
• 24/7 availability – it’s ready to support you anytime, anywhere.

What’s new in this version:

• Enhanced accuracy and responsiveness, aiming to reduce friction in accessing essential assessment resources.
• More intuitive interactions for frequent queries—perfect for both new and experienced users.

Note: Ask Ava remains in a pilot/prototype phase, meaning performance may vary depending on the question. Your feedback is vital! Please use the built-in feedback and support form to report any issues or suggest improvements.

New Workshop: Introduction to the Role of Programme Lead: A workshop offering the opportunity for staff to explore the core responsibilities of the role, leadership strategies, and practical tools to support your transition.

Developing Leadership in Educational Practice: A programme of study, running from September 2025 to March 2026, designed to bring together staff who work within the same environment to share good practice and discuss issues to enhance their personal development and wider professional practice. Colleagues in professional services or academic roles, as well as those in leadership roles in the Students’ Union are welcome to join.

Advisor of Studies Training Day: A half-day workshop equipping attendeees with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support and guide our students.

Stepping into Series pilot: The Role of Programme Lead: This four-session programme supports aspiring and newly appointed Programme Leads at Queen’s University Belfast by offering practical strategies for transitioning into the role, insights into leadership and team influence, and tools for navigating university systems and enhancing curriculum delivery.

Leading Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Curriculum: A programme of study designed to bring together staff in an environment which encourages reflection on their past and current teaching and assessment practices, with a view to enhancing their skills as educators in an ESD-informed manner. Running from September to December 2025, this programme is open to Module Co-ordinators or Programme Directors, or members of staff who have significant influence over the curriculum development and design of credit-bearing courses.

Please feel free to contact the University Safety Service at safety@qub.ac.uk or 028 9097 4613 should you have any queries or training requirements.

Timeline for the call:

• Competition opens: 16 June 2025
• Competition closes: 11.59pm on 22 September 2025
• Decision to Applicants: week ending 7 November 2025

For assistance in any aspect of this competition please contact:

• Agri-food and Nutrition – Dr Andrew Baxter: a.baxter@qub.ac.uk 
• AHSS – Mr Kevin Fearon: k.fearon@qub.ac.uk 
• EPS – Dr Alistair Quinn: aquinn@qub.ac.uk 
• Medicine and Health – Dr Maeve Murphy: maeve.murphy@qub.ac.uk 
• Overall call – Mrs Clare McAuley: c.mcauley@qub.ac.uk 

* These studentships are funded by the Department for the Economy NI and the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council Doctoral Training Programme.