The University has introduced new AI capabilities into its admissions system and processes this month. This marks a very significant step forward in our digital transformation journey. This exciting new development will reshape the experiences of our students, staff, academics and researchers.

AI technologies in our admissions system offers significant advantages, enabling faster, more efficient and higher quality application processing. Applicants will benefit from real-time updates and a much more streamlined and user-friendly experience. Furthermore, manual staffing interventions in the admissions process will significantly reduce and therefore free up valuable staffing time for more value adding activities in supporting students.

The first phase of Student 360 also launches this month. Student 360 will provide a single, consistent and reliable source of student information and more streamlined processes for staff.

• Read the video transcript here.

The implementation phase of the website hosting migration project will begin on Monday 23 March 2026. Once complete, all websites and content published through the Web CMS to https://www.qub.ac.uk will be hosted in the cloud with Terminalfour. This includes websites published from the Web CMS to dedicated domain names.

To support this work, Web CMS content publishing is expected to be paused from 1.00pm on Friday 20 March 2026 to allow system configuration updates to be completed in advance of the migration.

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Queen’s has been awarded the Advance HE Race Equality Charter (REC) Bronze Award, recognising the University’s work in identifying and addressing racial inequalities and its commitment to continuing long‑term cultural change.

The award reflects several years of detailed institutional self‑assessment, including extensive engagement with staff and students, a University‑wide racial equity survey and collaborative work led by the University’s REC Self‑Assessment Team and its REC Champions Network.

• Learn more about the University’s journey and achievements here.

 

With just five weeks to the Easter break, Queen's Sustainability team invites staff to get involved in its new 'Spring Into Action' programme, encouraging colleagues to consider a more sustainable commute.

THIS WEEK: Find a Buddy Week – Information Session

Finding a buddy to support your change to a sustainable commute can be the nudge you need, so if you are looking for a liftshare buddy for your car journey, or a buddy to cycle to work with, join the team on Wednesday 25 February from 11.00am to 2.00pm in Junction Cafe for a chat over coffee.

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"You can pay extra, through something called an Additional Voluntary Contribution, or AVC... It's a flexible way to top up your retirement savings."

Watch the latest in a new series of video explainers from our Pensions Manager, Ciara Smyth, to learn more about how Queen’s pension schemes can support you and your family.

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The University is currently recruiting for a number of positions internally.

Staff can view internal and external vacancies through iTrent Employee Self-Service.

All staff and students are invited to share their views on Queen’s new draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, which is now available for consultation. Your feedback will help shape a Strategy that meaningfully reflects the experiences, priorities, and needs of our university community.

• Please submit your feedback via the consultation form here.

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To help ensure Queen's remains a welcoming, inclusive and safe community for Trans and Non-Binary people, the MHLS EDI Committee would like to invite staff to its event Trans'forming Community at Queen's - a safe space to meet with others to share experiences, needs, ideas and priorities on Wednesday 4 March from 1.00pm to 2.30pm in the Main Site Tower, room 0G/010 (behind Junction Cafe). Lunch will be provided.

• Register here: 'Trans'forming Community at Queen's.

The National Student Survey (NSS) 2026 is now live and will remain open until 30 April.

This survey gives students the opportunity to provide feedback on their whole time at Queen's. The University has a target response rate of 80 per cent.

All staff are encouraged to publicise the NSS and urge students to complete it before the closing date.

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Students and staff can now view the candidates standing in the Students’ Union Elections. Positions include full-time Student Officers, Faculty and School Representatives, Student Association Chairs, and Undergraduate Student Councillors. Elected students will help lead the Union and drive campaigns on key student issues.

• Find out more about the candidates and positions here.
• Students can vote in the SU Elections from Monday 2 to Thursday 5 March.

This week marks the start of Queen’s Sport's 10-week Virtual Couch to Relay programme – a progressive running plan designed to get participants marathon-ready.

Week 1 Training Tips

1. Walk for five minutes at a brisk pace to get your body moving
2. Jog for one minute and walk for 1½ minutes for recovery (x6)
3. Repeat this run three times over the week.
4. Top Tip: To keep a straight posture while running, bring your shoulders back and imagine a balloon is on the top of your head to keep your chest up.

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Following the vibrant Lanyon Illumination and Lion Dance on Tuesday 17 February and first culture talks, Queen's Chinese New Year celebrations continue with three remaining talks, a table tennis event, and the 'Bridges to China' collaborative project launch. All are welcome to join.

• More information / Register here: Chinese Culture Programme 2026.

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As part of UK Open Research Week celebrations at the University, staff are invited to Queen's Open Research Day 2026 on Monday 2 March from 11.00am to 3.00pm in TR7, The Graduate School. The event will include a presentation, watch party and information sharing. Lunch will be provided. Colleagues can feel free to join for all or part of the day.

• Register here: Queen's Open Research Day 2026.

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Queen’s academics with an interest in civic engagement, knowledge exchange and real-world impact are invited to take part in a funded civic collaboration through the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) and Belfast City Council’s Bank of Ideas 2026 participatory budgeting programme.

All disciplines and career stages are welcome, with early career researchers and postdoctoral colleagues particularly encouraged to express interest.

An information session will take place on Monday 2 March from 10.00am to 12.00pm in TR6, The Graduate School. Tea and coffee will be provided.

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Queen's early-career academics* and members of Queen's Fellowship Academy are invited to join Queen's Crucible, an interdisciplinary programme that provides time, space and resources for researchers to meet, connect and develop skills, ideas and projects. The internal deadline for applications is Friday 27 February.

• Find out more and apply here: ​Queen's Crucible Programme.

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The 'Bridges to China' Spring Festival Launch will take place on Sunday 1 March from 1.00pm to 4.00pm in the Lecture Theatre and Atrium, Ulster Museum. 

• Find out more and register here.

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• AI Lightning Talks (open to all staff). Tuesday 31 March, 10.00am to 12.00pm, online. A morning of insight, ideas, and conversation about the future of AI in education, featuring a series of short, engaging talks showcasing how colleagues across the university are already putting AI into practice. 
• AI for Educators Course: The self-paced AI for Educators course on Canvas helps student-facing staff to build confidence using AI in education.

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Queen’s is developing a strategic approach to the responsible use of AI across the University – and your input is vital. A set of draft policies is now open for staff consultation.

Please share your anonymous feedback through the following consultation forms. This is your chance to influence how AI is used across the University.

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Recent posts from Queen's Policy Engagement (QPol):

• The removal of UK Peerages: the Irish historical context, by Professor Marie Coleman
• Legislating Fairness: The Youth Perspective. Guest Contribution by Grace Allison in collaboration with Queen's Centre for Children’s Rights.
• From Monroe to ‘Donroe’: The US’ Return to the Western Hemisphere, by Peter Donnelly

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The Conversation is a news website featuring articles by academics, often republished to global media outlets. Articles by Queen's academics published in The Conversation have been read by 23.8 million people internationally. Read the latest:

• Japan’s ruling party secures historic election victory – but challenges lie ahead, by Dr Rin Ushiyama

The Communications Office is hosting a virtual training session with The Conversation UK on Thursday 26 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm. This is open to all Queen's academics and researchers.

This interactive, online session will be led by one of the editors who will take you through what The Conversation is, its origins and aims, what it does, and why.

• Please register here to attend.*

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Queen's Staff Blog provides a space for staff to share their reflections, knowledge and experiences, and build a connected University community. 

Our latest Staff Blog features Dr Bee-Yen Toh, Co-Chair of iRise – Queen's University Belfast's Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network – and Senior Lecturer (Education) in the School of EEECS, on how Queen's achieved its Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.

• BLOG: Reflecting on Our Journey: How Queen’s Achieved the REC Bronze Award

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Read the latest staff news stories on the Staff News and Community Gateway:

• Transcript: Digital Transformation – University Admissions
• Celebrating minds and music at Queen's
• In Pictures: 2026 Sustainability Student Summit
• Queen’s launches free late-night shuttle service for students
• In Pictures: Queen’s launches free late-night shuttle service for students
• Professor Christopher McCrudden Awarded 2026 RIA Gold Medal in the Social Sciences
• Queen’s Secures Race Equality Charter Bronze Award
• Queen’s University Professor appointed to new UK national mathematical sciences academy fellowship
• Queen’s on track to help plant one million trees as part of Belfast City Council initiative
• Deborah Levy announced as the inaugural International Visiting Chair for Creative Writing
• Queen's celebrates Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2026

Our latest 'Spotlight on our Staff' profile features Natalie Le Seelleur, Climate and Sustainability in the Curriculum Officer within the Estates Directorate.

Natalie spends her days embedding sustainability across teaching, learning, and student experience, working with staff and students to turn ideas into real-world climate action. 

• Read Natalie's Profile 

Staff are invited to the Inaugural Lecture, 'Seq and you shall find: Advancing biomedical knowledge through genomics', delivered by Professor David Simpson, Professor of Genomics, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, on Monday 30 March at 4.00pm in the Institute's Basement Seminar Room. Light refreshments will be made available after the lecture.

• Please register here before Monday 16 March.

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As part of Universities Refugee Week, staff are invited to a webinar on trauma-informed principles and approaches on Tuesday 3 March from 12.30pm to 1.00pm. The webinar will be delivered by Dr Suzanne Mooney, Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work. There will be time for questions after the presentation.

• More information / Register: Webinar: Trauma-Informed Approaches

Academic colleagues are invited to a talk on the 2026 Irish Presidency, taking place on Thursday 26 February from 5.30pm to 6.30pm in The Cube, One Elmwood. This talk will be delivered by Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence.

• Find out more / register: Talk – The 2026 Irish Presidency.

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Staff are invited to the following events. All are welcome.

• Conference: Christian Ethics in the Age of AI and Automated Weapons Systems. Tuesday 3 March, 9.00am to 5.00pm, Senate Room , Lanyon Building.
• Seminar: Developing Land Markets to Promote Resilience in FCV-Affected Settings. Thursday 12 March, 5.00pm to 6.30pm, Senate Room.

The Centre for Public History invites staff to a talk by Dr Brian Kwoba, launching his new book on Hubert Harrison, on 5 March from 4.00pm to 5.30pm in 22 University Square, room 01/005.

• Find out more and register here.

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Colleagues interested in advanced imaging are welcome to attend a physiology techniques seminar on ‘Qpatch Compact semi-automated patch-clamping platform’, delivered by Sophion Bioscience, on Wednesday 25 February from 1.30pm to 2.15pm in the Johnston Cancer Research Centre, Basement Seminar Room. The instrument will be located in the Advanced Imaging Unit. Registration is not required.

Image copyright: Sophion Bioscience.

Details of ongoing works being carried out across the University campus can be found on the Estates Directorate webpage.

• In Conversation: Desert Island Poems with Terrance Hayes. Thursday 26 February, 6.00pm. Professor Nick Laird in conversation with our Visiting International Poetry Fellow Terrance Hayes, talking about the poems he couldn't do without.
• It Goes As Follies: A Family-Friendly Trad Session. Saturday 28 February, 1.00pm. An afternoon of traditional music, stories and poems, suitable for the whole family. Bring your children and an instrument along. Tea and biscuits provided.
• Workshops – Here and There: Is the Grass Greener? Last in this series of creative writing workshops exploring ideas of place, home and origin.
  • Workshop 3: Saturday 28 February, 1.00pm
  • Workshop 4: Saturday 7 March, 1.00pm

See this week’s new and returning films at Queen’s Film Theatre, your cinema on campus.

• If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
• The Secret Agent
• "Wuthering Heights"

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DISASTERS AND INTERVENTIONS, a new exhibition by internationally renowned Northern Irish artist Oliver Jeffers, continues at the Naughton Gallery. This exhibition marks the first time that this particular collection of works – created sporadically over the past decade and a half – is being exhibited together.

Admission is free. All are welcome.

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• Seminar: Music Streaming – The experience of Jamaican artistes. Wednesday 25 February, 1.00pm to 2.00pm, SARC, 4 Cloreen Park, Malone Road. Free event.
• Concert: Townsend Quartet. Thursday 26 February, 1.10pm to 2.00pm, Harty Room, Music Building. A performance of Beethoven's quartet Op.59/2. Free event.
• Sonorities Festival 2026 – 15 to 18 April. Biennial festival of sound and music, this year involving 100 acts in over 40 events across the city and online.

The following courses are available to support staff wellbeing within Queen’s. In iTrent, search for 'Wellbeing' to view available courses and find out more.

• Working Through Change and Building Resilience. Wednesday 25 February, 10.00am to 11.00am.
• Staff Health & Wellbeing Action Plan: Putting our plan into practice. Thursday 26 February, 10.00am to 11.00am.

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The University’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is now provided by Spectrum.Life. Staff can access confidential support for personal and professional issues that may affect their home life, work, health and overall wellbeing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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Queen's annual Spring Careers Fair will take place on Tuesday 3 March from 11.00am to 2.30pm in the Whitla Hall and South Dining Hall. This event is for students interested in work experience, placement, internships, or graduate roles. Over 80 organisations are registered to attend.

Staff are encouraged to highlight this event to their students.

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The following learning events are now open to staff. Find out more and register at the links below.

• Mentoring (SEDA): Wednesday 25 March, 1.00pm to 4.00pm, online initially. This CPD programme introduces mentoring theory and models as well as training and support for participants in developing their online mentoring skills.
• Advisor of Studies Training Day: Tuesday 16 June, 9.15am to 1.30pm, TR02, 69-71 University Street. Half-day workshop focusing on equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support and guide our students.

• One-to-One Consultations: Staff can book a 30-minute virtual session with a Digital Learning Developer from your Faculty, School or VLE Pedagogy Support Team (subject to availability).

• Automatic lecture recording: Scheduled lectures are recorded automatically using Panopto. If you do not wish a lecture to be recorded, you must actively opt out using the Panopto Automated Scheduling Tool on Queen’s Online (under 'Service Applications').
• Inform students: Let students know in advance via Canvas about which lectures will be recorded and which won’t.

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This year's Safety Training programme is available on the University Safety Service Training webpage. The full range of courses can be booked via iTrent Employee Self-Service.

Training sessions for February and March are given below. All sessions are in person.

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Researchers in Queen's Centre for Public Health are conducting a study investigating whether the order in which macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) are eaten affects blood sugar levels in women living with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Colleagues who are pregnant with GDM are invited to take part.*

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