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!

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/McClay Auditorium.

Changing facilities and showers are provided at Queen's Sport. Please note there are no changing/shower facilities at the McClay Library.

Booking and payment | Further information

Booking and payment can be made via the online payment system 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 Tuesday 16 July.

More information

PDR in its current format has been in place at Queen’s for five years and provides a framework for meaningful conversations. The process provides an opportunity to ensure that staff receive feedback, review their progress, agree important work priorities, and discuss their personal development.

The People and Culture Plan 2023-26 commits to supporting a culture of continuous learning and development which empowers staff to be responsible for their own learning, development and progression, and PDR forms a key part of this commitment.

The strategic commitments for Queen’s are stated in Strategy 2030 and staff are encouraged to reflect on aligning their own work priorities so we can all work collectively to deliver and enable good performance alongside individual learning and career development.

Colleagues in the Postdoctoral Development Centre have recommended a new template form with some additional guidance to make the process more effective for postdoctoral staff and their Reviewers. This form can be accessed via the PDR intranet site and also via the Postdoctoral Development Centre website where further support and resources are available.

The People and Culture Directorate will seek to implement future PDR improvements in the way that PDR is undertaken by colleagues. We hope to provide a more user-friendly, automated process that will re-focus PDR and capture the key elements and outcomes of PDR conversations.

We will update staff in due course on these developments; however, in the meantime, it is expected that all staff continue to carry out PDR using the current approach.

Please note these arrangements and plan accordingly.

View the status of key services here.

For career updates, staff can also follow the Recruitment team on Twitter: @QUBWorkHere

• Any sales orders raised from 1 August 2024 relating to activities carried out in the period prior to 31 July 2024 should be clearly identified as relating to financial year 2023-24 using the GL reference field and the invoice text. By exception and where material, manual adjustments will be made by the Accounting Services section of Finance to the 2023-24 accounts.
• Post 9 August 2024: Sales order invoicing will operate as normal. All fully approved sales orders will be posted in financial year 2024-25.

If you have any queries, please contact the Accounting Services section of Finance by emailing sorequests@qub.ac.uk.

It is important that the University's accounts record all the financial activity incurred during the period ended on 31 July 2024.

To ensure that expenditure is recorded correctly, all transactions relating to July 2024 and earlier periods should be sent to the Accounts Payable for payment by the cut-off dates listed below:

• Request for Payments: 9 August 2024
• Staff Expenses: 9 August 2024. All relevant Staff Expenses Claims, including follow-up queries in Workflow, must be authorised and cleared by this date.
• P2P Invoices: It is important that all Goods and Services received prior to the 31 July 2024, relating to P2P orders beginning '58', be GRNd immediately on delivery in order that the related invoices, that are sent directly by suppliers to Accounts Payable, may be matched and processed for payment on receipt.

Further clarification of these arrangements, if required, may be obtained by contacting the Accounts Payable: accounts.payable@qub.ac.uk.

Passengers are being encouraged to plan their trip ahead of time using information on the website www.translink.co.uk or Journey Planner and allow extra time for their journey.

What do you need to do?

Anyone with research outputs that have recently been accepted for publication are encouraged to finalise any outstanding output deposits into Pure prior to the outage. The Open Research Team will be unable to validate any items during this outage. If you have any queries or concerns about unvalidated research outputs, contact the Library’s Open Research Team: openaccess@qub.ac.uk.

It will also not be possible to issue a DOI for datasets in Pure. During this time if you urgently require a DOI for your dataset as part of pre-condition for the acceptance of your published manuscript, it is advisable to contact another repository for this service. This can include Zenodo or Dryad. Other relevant data repositories may be found in re3data also. Contact rdm@qub.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Following the migration, users will not notice any difference in the look and feel of Pure. However, if you have Pure saved as a bookmark, it is advised to delete this and re-save the bookmark using this URL, https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/admin/, to ensure you are directed to the cloud hosted site.

What are the benefits?

Migrating Pure to the cloud will offer us several benefits, including:

• Enhanced Performance and New Features: By moving to cloud hosting, we can upgrade Pure more frequently and take advantage of any new features, resulting in improved system performance and a better user experience.
• Improved User Experience: We're transitioning to a single sign-on (SSO) system for logging into Pure, which will bring us in line with other University Systems and Office 365. This change will streamline the login process and improve overall usability.
• Reduced Technical and Maintenance Costs: Moving to the cloud will help reduce the technical and maintenance costs associated with hosting the system on-premises.
• Alignment with Strategy 2030: The move aligns with Strategy 2030 and supports the University's broader goal of moving more services to the cloud.

If you have any questions about this upgrade, or Pure in general, please get in touch at puresupport@qub.ac.uk.

More information

Coaching Connections is designed to develop coaching skills such as building rapport, listening and asking questions, so that staff may, through a coaching conversation, support individuals to explore options and develop insights around work-based challenges. This programme is aimed at both Professional Services staff at Grade AR7 and above and Academic staff at Grade AC2 and above.

Coaching Connections delivers the ILM Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring and on completion of the programme, participants will be equipped to offer coaching to Queen’s staff around work-based issues.

Save the date: All participants will be invited to a launch event on Thursday 29 August from 12.00pm to 1.00pm. A light lunch will be provided.

More information

The purpose of the programme is to provide an opportunity for senior staff who want to learn from and build awareness of the barriers and experiences faced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues to do so through a one-to-one mentoring relationship.

* Applications are now invited from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues to be Mentors on the programme, with places allocated on a first come, first served basis. Mentees will then be invited from senior management staff. All participants will be provided with further information and guidance before the programme begins.

Mentors and mentees should be prepared to commit to one meeting per month over the three-month programme.

Location and time to follow. The parade will leave at 1.00pm sharp and further information on the route and parade can be found on the Belfast Pride Parade website.

All participants will be provided with branded wristbands allocated by the festival and only those with wristbands can participate. 

* Queen's has a limited number of wristbands, so please only register if you can join the Queen's group. 

More information

Belfast Pride Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Belfast and this year the festival will run from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 July, with Pride Day and the centrepiece Pride Parade on Saturday 27 July. The Belfast Pride Parade is the main event in the LGBTQIA+ calendar, a major city event and the biggest cross community parade in Belfast.

Adult courses:

• Box & Condition prioritises honing the essential boxing proficiencies, skills and fitness mixing pad work, alongside strength and conditioning drills/ exercises.
• Forge Fitness is a strength-focused course that will also increase your mobility and confidence while lifting weights.

Children's courses:

• Parent and Teen/Pre-Teen Circuits: this is a fun way to get kids involved in physical fitness and put them on the path to a lifelong enjoyment of exercise.
• Swim Camp offers a more intensive learning programme condensed into one week.
• Dance Camp: this is a one-week camp offering a mix of ballet and contemporary dance.

This is an event organised 'by postdocs, for postdocs'. The programme will feature talks by invited speakers, an expert panel discussion, an update from the Postdoctoral Development Centre, a research poster/display exhibition, oral presentations by selected postdocs and the winners of the PDC Postdoc Awards will be announced. There will be prizes for the best talks and posters.

Together, let's help to shape a better world and advance sustainable development.

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

• Dr Jonny Hanson: Farmers told me what they really think about reintroducing lynx and wolves to Britain and Ireland
• Dr M. Satish Kumar: Why India didn't have the 'climate election' it needed, even amid a lethal heatwave
• Dr Jamie Pow: Northern Ireland: the three electoral threats keeping the DUP awake at night

About the authors

Civic Engagement Officer in the Directorate of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility at Queen's, Dr Federica Ferrieri is also an Italian tutor in Queen's Open Learning at Queen's, Italian Honorary Consul in Northern Ireland and Vice-President of the Consular Association NI.

Dr Duncan Berryman is Student Surveys Officer in the Careers, Employability and Skills department, Directorate of Education and Student Services.

Dermot Leonard is Head of Business Alliance, Research and Enterprise Directorate.

Tom Dore is a Digital Learning Officer in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty Office.

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

• Queen's colleagues recognised in King's Birthday Honours 2024
• Queen’s ranks in top 200 Universities across the world for global sustainability impact
• Queen's University Teaching Awards 2024
• Queen’s University launches its Civic Mission: A commitment to collaboration and inclusivity
• Treble of awards for outstanding achievement in pharmaceutical sciences for Queen’s Professor
• In Pictures: Athena Swan Gold celebration event
• Festivities in the air as Queen's celebrates historic Athena Swan Gold Award
• There for You: Free Period Products Available in Bathrooms across Campus
• Queen's University's Communications Team is best in class
• Joint announcement: Conclusion of local pay negotiations
• New pay deal agreed between Queen’s and trade unions

Tea and coffee will be provided.

If you are not able to make it to one of the sessions and would like to arrange a separate time to speak with the team, please email internalcommunications@qub.ac.uk to arrange.

Contact the 2030 Digital Education Team at AI-Hub@qub.ac.uk with any queries.

The projects require engagement with a non-academic collaborating partner. The collaborating partner should be jointly involved in devising the research programme. Additionally, each project requires:

• The student to receive workplace supervision by a named person from the collaborating partner (NB: this workplace supervisor will not be a formal academic supervisor);
• The student to spend at least three months with the collaborating partner who should pay any associated travel, accommodation or subsistence costs; and
• The collaborating partner to demonstrate their commitment to the project through a matched cash or in-kind contribution. NB: For-profit partners must contribute direct funding (cash contribution) to the project of at least £35k over the course of the project.

Partnerships with private sector industry, government departments/agencies, NGO’s, charities and voluntary sector organisations that meet the above criteria will all be considered. This opportunity is open to both UK and non-UK collaborating partners organisations. For non-UK collaborating partners, supervisors should discuss and agree how the student placement aspect of the Collaborative studentship will be met.

More information

This call for participants is open to anyone who experienced an unmarried pregnancy during the specified timeframe. Areas of interest include:

• Pregnancy
• Reaction from friends/family/community
• The effect of pregnancy on work/social/family life
• Experiences of medical/post-natal care
• Experiences of abortion
• Experiences of miscarriage
• Experiences of labour as an unmarried pregnant person
• Mother and Baby institutions
• Adoption
• Single motherhood
• Marriage
• Co-parenting arrangements

In this month’s edition:

• Research News
• Leading Researchers Programme
• Funding Information
• Training and development Highlights
• Research to Reality
• Research Policy Update
• and much more

About Techstars Startup Weekend

Over 400,000 people have participated in Startup Weekends in 150 countries, and the Startup Weekend methodology has successfully created thousands of companies, some of which became unicorns (like Zapier).

Startup Weekend is a great place to connect with passionate people driven to build something new. During the course of 54 hours you will learn what it really takes to innovate, disrupt, and start a company from people who’ve been there. Startup Weekend features deep experiential learning through 1:1 sessions with mentors and experts, available to guide you through the early stages of building your startup.

Sometimes, what you really need is more knowledge and the chance to develop your skills in order to go to the next level. Over the course of the Startup Weekend, there are optional speaker sessions, expert tutorials, and workshops available to dive into specific topics and skill sets. So that you can get what you need to progress quickly.

• Kinds of Kindness
• Orlando, My Political Biography
• QFT Noir: Devil in a Blue Dress
• QFT Noir: Laura
• Rose
• The Bikeriders
• The Conversation
• The Sparrow
• Wilding

Staff tickets are priced at £6.50 (standard ticket price £8.90). If you are 26 and under join LUMI to get tickets for £5.00 everyday, all year round.

More information

This programme will run from October to May (25 October 2024 to 7 May 2025; 9.30am to 11.30am, offering monthly workshops that will be delivered either in person or online. Both internal and external guest speakers will share their knowledge and insights on leadership. As part of the assessment process, participants must complete reflective activities, a strategic presentation, and a personal development plan.

Participants will:

• Identify their own professional development goals, directions or priorities;
• Plan for their initial and/or continuing professional development;
• Undertake appropriate development activities;
• Review their development and their practice, and the relations between them.

SEDA Leading Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Curriculum

By the end of this programme, participants should be able to recognise and embed the hallmarks of ESD in their educational practice and how it can enhance the student experience.

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. Embedded in the material and signposted, will be learning design principles and Sustainable Development Goals and the programme aligns with the Queen’s 2030 Strategy.

This programme will run from September to December, offering six in-person workshops, held on a fortnightly basis. As part of the assessment process, participants must complete reflective activities, a module critique and redesign.

The learning outcomes for the programme are:

1. Identify the drivers underpinning sustainability in higher education teaching and explore the impact on the student experience.
2. Consider how you and your university should respond to Education for Sustainable Development in order to contribute to an enhanced student experience.
3. Reflect on how you are implementing and developing your practice in light of the needs and challenges arising from Education for Sustainable Development.
4. Evaluate your effectiveness and contribution to the student experience within the context of Education for Sustainable Development.

Session dates:

• Session 1: 25 September 2024
• Session 2: 9 October
• Session 3: 23 October
• Session 4: 6 November
• Session 5: 20 November
• Session 6: 4 December

 
SEDA Programme Leaders

Course aims are:

• To support you in your professional development as an educational leader;
• To support and recognise your individual progress, practice & professional achievement;
• To enhance curriculum development and, hence, the student learning experience;
• To promote the development of professionals with the knowledge, skills and attributes to effectively lead, nurture and guide educational change and development in the sector.

• • Associate Fellowship HEA (AFHEA): 14 to 18 October, 10.00am to 11.00am OR 18 to 22 November, 10.00am to 11.00am
  • Fellowship HEA (FHEA): 28 October to 8 November, 10.00am to 11.00am OR 2 to 13 December, 10.00am to 11.00am
  • Senior Fellowship HEA (SFHEA): 16 to 27 September, 10.00am to 11.00am

Please contact ced@qub.ac.uk for any queries in relation to this summary report.

GPT-4o Release

OpenAI has recently announced the release of GPT-4o. This advanced model accepts as input any combination of text, audio, image, and video, and generates outputs in text, audio, and images. It's much faster and responds to questions at human-like speeds. OpenAI has also provided a series of demo videos to showcase these capabilities.

These advancements are available for ChatGPT users with a free account. Discover how you can access GPT-4o and get started with ChatGPT by watching our Quick Start Video.

Queen’s AI Hub

As part of the AI Team's ongoing commitment to helping staff and students navigate the ever-evolving AI landscape, the AI Hub has moved to a new location and is now housed within the Queen's DigiHub. While the setting is new, and now accessible to the general public, you can still access the same comprehensive AI resources.

Visit the AI Hub here: go.qub.ac.uk/AI-hub

AI Guidance

You can keep abreast of the latest Queen's Guidance on the use of AI in Assessment here. Also, don’t forget that Copilot (formerly Microsoft Bing Chat Enterprise) is available to all Queen’s University staff. This AI-driven web chat operates within the secure Queen's environment, safeguarding your data. Watch our Quick Start video to learn how to access Copilot using your Queen's email address. For more details, visit the Queen’s AI Hub.