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Round Up

15 December 2025 

2024-25
ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual Report 2024-25 shines a spotlight on the key moments and achievements that defined Queen’s University over the past year. From major milestones in education, research and civic engagement to impactful partnerships and community initiatives, the report highlights the progress we are making through our Strategy 2030.

Also included are the University's financial statements, updates on philanthropy, our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and our public benefit impact.

black and white historical photo of a photographer taking a large group photograph in a cloistered area digitally superimposed onto the same space decades later in full colour
QUEEN'S @ 180
FOUNDATION DAY

On 30 December 1845, Queen's University Belfast was formally brought into existence, alongside its sister Colleges in Cork and Galway, by charters of incorporation.

We will be celebrating our Foundation Day on Tuesday 30 December via our social media channels.

Follow along and join in the conversation using the hashtag #LoveQUB180.

two women and a man mid-stretch using pilates equipment in an exercise area
STAFF WELLBEING
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMME – WINTER 2025-6

The Staff Wellbeing Physical Activity Winter Programme returns on week commencing 12 January 2026, with a line-up of activities, suitable for all fitness levels, designed to keep staff active, healthy, and energised during the winter months.

  • Programme Details*
    Class Day Time Studio Instructor Dates Duration Price
    Zumba Monday 1.10pm to 1.55pm PEC Studio 1 Heather 12 January to 23 March 11 weeks £55
    Pilates Tuesday 1.00pm to 1.50pm PEC Studio 3 Asdis 13 January to 24 March 11 weeks £55
    Strength for All Tuesday 1.00pm to 1.45pm PEC GTZ Paul 13 January to 24 March (with break on 17 February) 10 weeks £60
    Yoga Express Wednesday 12.00pm to 12.45pm PEC Studio 3 Treasa 14 January to 25 March 11 weeks £55
    Yoga Wednesday 1.00pm to 1.50pm PEC Studio 3 Treasa 14 January to 25 March 11 weeks £55
    Tone 'n' Trim Hybrid Thursday 1.10pm to 1.55pm Studio 1 and online Heather 15 January to 26 March 11 weeks £55
    • 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 & increase your strength & flexibility, while focusing on relaxation & mindfulness.
    • Pilates: for everyone wanting to build up core, back & glute strength with control & without impact. With moves that will focus on posture alignment & engagement of the muscles.
    • Tone 'n' 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.
    • Strength for All: provides the perfect platform for you to achieve your fitness goals. This class includes using Dumbbells, Barbells & bodyweight to challenge all major muscle groups to become stronger.

    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.

* Please note, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

You will be asked to complete a short health questionnaire when making your 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 'n' Trim classes will be circulated on 12 January 2026.

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Queen's University building covered in snow, creating a picturesque winter scene with a serene, peaceful atmosphere.
SEASON'S GREETINGS
QUEEN'S SEASONAL E-CARDS

Staff can now send Queen's University Belfast electronic greeting cards.

Still E03
RECRUITMENT
INTERNAL VACANCIES

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

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

View of the red-bricked Physics building from the quad in the snow against a bright sky
STAFF ROUND UP
STAFF ROUND UP SCHEDULE

Please note that this is the last Staff Round Up edition of Semester 1. 

The Round Up will resume on Monday 12 January 2026.

Previous editions of the Round Up are available in the Archive.

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WEBSITE HOSTING MIGRATION PROJECT
MOVING WEB CMS WEBSITES TO CLOUD HOSTING

From March 2026, all websites and content published through the Web CMS to https://www.qub.ac.uk will be hosted in the cloud with Terminalfour. This also includes any websites published from the Web CMS to bespoke domain names.

Any websites or content not published via the Web CMS but currently hosted under the https://www.qub.ac.uk subdomain will not be accessible following the switchover.

Digital and Information Services are already working with colleagues across the University as part of the planning and preparation phase to identify websites and resources that may be affected.

If you have not yet been contacted, or if you have any queries about a website or resource hosted under https://www.qub.ac.uk, please contact the Web Support Team via the IT Service Desk.

QUEEN'S COMMUNITY
CAMPUS SAFETY EVENT: IN PICTURES

Queen’s hosted the first of two campus-safety events for students and staff on Monday 1 December in in One Elmwood, highlighting our commitment to building a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community.

Resources

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THERE FOR YOU: A WIDE RANGE OF STAFF DISCOUNTS
HELPING YOU SAVE MONEY ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND DAY-TO-DAY COSTS

All staff at Queen's can avail of our Staff Discounts Scheme, which offers you discounts at hundreds of outlets – including supermarkets, high street stores and restaurants, as well as vouchers, reloadable top-up cards and access to discounts specifically for Queen’s staff.

FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT
CLOSING JANUARY 2026: FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT SCHEME 2026

The Flexible Retirement Scheme for 2026 closes for applications in January 2026. This scheme is designed to support staff in planning a smooth and personalised transition into retirement. It offers a valuable way to adjust your work-life balance while allowing the University community to continue benefiting from your knowledge and expertise.

  • Should you wish to apply for flexible retirement, please complete the application form and pass to your Head of School/Director by Friday 9 January 2026.
  • The Retirement Policy and application form can be accessed on the People and Culture website.

Your Head of School/Director will meet you to discuss your request, make their recommendation and submit the form to People and Culture by Friday 30 January 2026.

All applications for flexible retirement will be considered by the Flexible Retirement Panel by the end of March 2026 and applicants will be notified of the decision.

Key benefits of Flexible Retirement

  • Financial security: Ease your transition into retirement by continuing to earn while reducing your working hours.
  • Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance: Reduced hours can free up time for what matters most. Staying engaged with working life can also provide a sense of purpose and ongoing opportunities for personal growth.
  • Skills retention: Stay connected and continue to contribute your knowledge and experience, benefiting both you and Queen's.

More information

If you require further advice or guidance in relation to Flexible Retirement, please contact the Reward Team in the People and Culture Directorate at reward@qub.ac.uk.

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#QUBEWELL
#QUBREWMONDAY – JANUARY 2026

As part of #QUBeWell – the whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing – Queen’s is hosting Brew Monday, a programme of events designed to encourage positive mental health and connection during the long month of January.

A fuller programme will be published in January, but some of the planned activities will include Vision Board activities for students, a pop-up event in the McClay library, and free giveaways across campus. Schools and departments across the University are encouraged to organise their own Brew Monday activities locally.

Whether it’s a coffee morning, a shared lunch, or simply making an extra effort to say hello to someone new, these events offer opportunities to connect with colleagues and students, reinforcing and aligning with the Public Health Agency’s Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, and Give.

  • The is a collaborative initiative between teams and services across campus. For support or to let us know where you're doing in your area, please contact Michaeline.donnelly@qub.ac.uk. 
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A promotional graphic for Queen's University Belfast's 'Find Your Movement' campaign, encouraging participation in sports. The image features four individuals in various athletic attire, engaging in different sports including badminton, rugby, and football.
ACTIVE CAMPUS
WINTER PROGRAMME 2026, INCLUDING COUCH TO 5K

Find Your Movement this winter with the Active Campus Winter programme 2026, offering a variety of activities designed to help you get active, stay motivated, and have fun. All sessions are open to both staff and students, including:

  • Yoga U Roadshow
  • Couch to 5K Programme (Beginning on Tuesday 13 January; perfect for anyone who is starting their Marathon relay training.)
  • Campus Football
  • Campus Basketball
  • Campus Badminton

Find out more about our full range of winter activities here.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
WEBINAR: NEW APPROVING PROGRAMME CHANGES PROCESS

Further to communications on 24 November and 1 December 2025, a new streamlined, risk-based process for approving programme changes will be implemented in 2025-26.

A recording of the Approving Programme Changes Webinar, held on Wednesday 3 December, is now available, along with a full suite of guidance materials to support implementation.

This guidance includes the Approving Programme Changes Grid, which categorises all change types, outlines the relevant approval authority, and indicates if it is considered a material change by CMA. Two new Change Request Forms are also available to help Schools capture proposed changes, assess their impact and direct them through to the appropriate approval authority.

Please contact the Quality Assurance and Regulations Team (qar@qub.ac.uk) in Academic Affairs for additional information.

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AI HUB
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT QUEEN'S: SUPPORT AND TRAINING
  • AI for Educators Course: The self-paced AI for Educators course on Canvas helps student-facing staff to build confidence using AI in education. Explore four modules (Basics, Teaching & Learning, Assessment & Feedback, and Research), with practical AI Skills Build activities and discussion. Complete what’s most relevant to you, or finish all four to earn a Digital Certificate of Completion, signed by Professor Judy Williams (PVC Education and Students).

Staff and Student Support Information

Contact the team at AI-Hub@qub.ac.uk with any questions.

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Policy Engagement logo
POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
QUEEN'S POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND RESEARCH BLOG

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

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

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RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
THE CONVERSATION

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:

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Four staff and students walking across the Queen's Quadrangle
NEWS
STAFF NEWS AND COMMUNITY GATEWAY

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

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woman in graduation robe standing in front of a Christmas tree at a winter graduation
WINTER GRADUATION
IN PICTURES: WINTER GRADUATION 2025

Winter Graduation 2025 took place from Monday 8 December to Friday 12 December.

The ceremonies, which took place in the Whitla Hall, and garden parties - set in the University's historic quadrangle - were supported by a large number of colleagues working together across all Schools and Directorates, demonstrating how much we care about our students.

A woman with long dark hair stands smiling in an outdoor cloister area, with red-brick university buildings and gardens in the background
STAFF PROFILES
SPOTLIGHT ON... JU YOON, DIRECTORATE OF ACADEMIC SERVICES

Our latest 'Spotlight on our Staff' profile features Ju Yoon, Student Registry Services Lead in the Directorate of Academic Services.

From issuing education verification documentation to supporting students at their graduations, discover how Ju Yoon's work as the Student Registry Services Lead is making a meaningful difference to students across our campus.

cars driving outside a city on a busy wintry road on a dull day
QUEEN'S COMMUNITY
STAFF BLOG

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:

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

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thumbnail of Dr Ourania Varsou, University of Glasgow beside lecture title and with the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute, Queen's University Belfast, pictured in the background.
LECTURE
VINCENT EWING PUBLIC LECTURE 2025

The Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education invites staff to the Vincent Ewing Public Lecture, 2025, taking place on Tuesday 16 December at 2.00pm in the Basement Lecture Theatre, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute, Health Sciences campus.

The guest speaker is Dr Ourania Varsou (School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow) who will speak on 'GenAI Past, Present and Future: A Human-Centred Lens on Technology, Education and Society'.

All are welcome.

About the Speaker

Dr Ourania Varsou is a medically-qualified Senior Lecturer in Anatomy at the University of Glasgow, where she leads curriculum innovation across bioscience, medical and dental programmes. She is the POCUS and Anatomy Director at Ballater Medical and serves as the MVLS College Ethics Committee Vice Chair at her home institution. She also holds leadership roles within the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland as Exchange Grant Challenge Lead and Advisory Group Chair. Her research focuses on ultrasound imaging, humanities in healthcare/biosciences and generative AI in higher education. A strong advocate for inclusive, creative and active pedagogies, Dr Varsou promotes interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching approaches across sectors.

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MITCHELL INSTITUTE
MITCHELL INSTITUTE NEWS, EVENTS AND CALLS

The December edition of the Mitchell Institute Newsletter is now available.

Staff are invited to the following events and to submit conference papers. Find out more and register at the links below:

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POSTDOCS
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR QUEEN'S POSTDOCS

Postdocs Spotlight @ QUB: Postdocs Spotlight aims to promote a positive research culture and collegiality amongst research staff by providing an interdisciplinary space for networking, learning and socialising. At this seminar, Postdocs from University College Dublin will present their work, led by a moderator from the Queen's University Belfast Postdoc community.

Employer Engagement Event: an opportunity for postdoctoral research staff and PhD students to engage directly with local and regional employers.

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Event graphic promoting the 2025 WE Innovate Programme.
RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE
CLOSING TOMORROW: WE INNOVATE PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN-LED VENTURES

Applications for the WE Innovate Programme – Queen’s initiative designed to support and empower female-led ventures to develop, grow, and realise their potential – close tomorrow, Tuesday 16 December, at 12.00pm.

  •  The programme is open to Queen’s staff, postgraduate students, and alumni. For full programme details and application information, please visit the WE Innovate webpage.
  • Outcomes will be announced on 7 January 2026.

WE Innovate offers participating female founders access to tailored workshops, one-to-one mentoring, peer support, and a final showcase event with a £15,000 prize fund.

For further enquiries, contact the WE Innovate Team at innovationprogrammes@qub.ac.uk.

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Two competition winners being applauded on stage by an emcee as confetti rains down at an event. Background presentation screen shows wording 'Fame Lab: Talking Science'.
COMPETITION
FAMELAB UK 2026: APPLICATIONS AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION TRAINING SESSION

Applications are now open for the FameLab UK competition, which searches for the next generation of science communicators and STEM enthusiasts – people who can share big ideas in just three minutes, with passion, clarity and spark.

Staff interested in applying are invited to a Science Communication training session on Friday 30 January 2026 from 9.30am to 1.00pm in the Senate Room, Lanyon Building.

The live FameLab NI Final will be on Tuesday 17 February. The regional winner from Northern Ireland will then go on to compete at a FameLab UK Final, hosted live at Cheltenham Science Festival

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Faculty Engagement team is the NI National Hub for FameLab UK, also supporting the NI Science Festival.

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2 students at Centre for Public Health
REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS
QUEEN'S WHO COLLABORATING CENTRE BULLETIN

Queen's WHO Collaborating Centre* has released its new three-year impact bulletin, 'Celebrating 3 Years of Impact: Systems Science for Global Non- Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Control'.

Led by Professor Ruth Hunter, Centre for Public Health, this bulletin illuminates a range of research highlights including a spotlight on the Stakeholder.net Tool and Information on Training and Capacity building opportunities.

* The WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Research & Training on Complex Systems and Network Science for NCD Prevention and Control at Queen’s University Belfast.

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
QFT WHAT'S ON

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

Staff tickets are priced at £8.50. Staff and students aged 26 and under can join LUMI to get tickets for £6.00 every day, all year round.

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painting by Oliver Jeffers depicting a city bus partially submerged in a small lake or floodwater in dim daylight with its lights still on
NAUGHTON GALLERY
NEW EXHIBITION – 'DISASTERS AND INTERVENTIONS', BY OLIVER JEFFERS

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

Admission is free. All are welcome!

Oliver Jeffers is well known for his award-winning picture books. Beyond his literary success, he is an internationally recognised painter and sculptor. Jeffers’ work, with its distinctive simplicity, beauty, and humour, invites people to engage with big ideas, offering fresh context, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose in these rapidly shifting times.

This exhibition will run until 29 March 2026.

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
SEAMUS HEANEY CENTRE EVENTS

The following events will be held this week in the Seamus Heaney Centre (SHC).

  • The Seamus Heaney Centre Christmas Debate 2025. Wednesday 17 December, 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Four speakers will debate this year's theme: 'This House Believes that the Writer Lives by Pen Alone.'
  • Christmas Drinks. Thursday 18 December, 4.00pm to 7.00pm. Open to regular attendees of SHC events. To celebrate the diversity and reach of our community, the SHC Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments donated by staff and students. More ornaments are welcome!
  • Works in Progress: An Improv Jam. Saturday 20 December, 4.30pm to 6.30pm, Wolfson Lecture Theatre. This jam, focused on creativity, confidence and cooperation, is open to anyone interested in making things up.

Works in Progress: An Improv Jam: Improv is the art of spontaneously performing comedy and theatre without a script. Works in Progress was conceived as an antidote to writer’s block, a space in which anyone can have fun making up characters, scenes and stories in an encouraging environment. This session is a mixture of warmups, short form games (think 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?') and long form montage performances. No performance experience is required, and there is no pressure to perform; you are welcome just to watch.

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LEARNING AND TEACHING
CANVAS VLE SUPPORT+
  • 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).
tiny graduation cap sitting on a stack of coins
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
SEDA RESEARCH & EVALUATION SMALL GRANTS 2026 + ONLINE EVENTS

SEDA is currently inviting applications for Research and Evaluation Small Grants. This year there are five grants available, each of up to £2,000.

These small grants are to support research and evaluation in staff and educational development with the goal of continued improvement in the quality and understanding of educational development practices. SEDA individual members or those working in an institution holding institutional SEDA membership are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 12.00pm (noon) on Monday 23 February 2026.

Associated events

Two online events will be held in the new year. Please register via the links provided.

  • SEDA Grant Holders Showcase, Friday 9 January 2026, 2.00pm to 4.00pm. This will be a forum for the 2024 Small Grant holders to present a synopsis of their project to the SEDA community in our first online SEDA Small Grants Showcase.
  • SEDA Small Grants Talk Shop, Friday 16 January 2026, 2.00pm to 3.00pm. This will be an interactive opportunity for applicants to ask questions of SEDA’s Scholarship and Research Committee. If you have any particular questions, please email them to office@seda.ac.uk in advance.
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SEDA
ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION AT QUEEN'S

Academic staff are invited to participate in this blended learning course, which has been designed to support the embedding entrepreneurial education within the curriculum, meeting the requirements of the QAA and professional accrediting bodies.

The course will run from 5 January 2025 to 20 February 2026, with a commitment of attending two workshops during that period.

The course is pending SEDA certification.

Any queries can be directed to p.durkin@qub.ac.uk.

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CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ADVISOR OF STUDIES TRAINING DAY

Join us for a half-day workshop on 16 January 2025 from 9.00am to 1.00pm (location TBC) where we will focus on equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support and guide our students.

Through interactive sessions and collaborative discussions, you'll gain valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your advising practice. Connect with fellow advisors, share experiences, and learn from experts in the field. Together, we can create a supportive network that fosters student success and enriches our academic community.

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home or office desk with laptop keyboard, pen, highlighter, cup of coffee, folded spectacles, and clipboard holding 'work safety' training sheets
UNIVERSITY SAFETY SERVICE
TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR JANUARY 2026

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 January 2026 are given below. All sessions are in person.

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.

Training course Date Time Safety Officer
Health and Safety Induction 8 January 2026 9.30am to 10.30am Lindsey Smith
Laser Safety Training 8 January 10.00am to 11.00am Dean Cross
IRIS: Incident Reporting Investigation System 13 January 9.30am to 11.00am Lindsey Smith
Radiation Safety – Open and Sealed Sources 21 January 10.00am to 12.00pm Lindsey Smith
Biological Safety and Genetic Modification Course 21 January 11.00am to 12.30pm David Norwood
The Safe Transport of Class 6.2 Materials by Air 27 January 9.30am to 1.00pm Lindsey Smith
Laboratory Chemical Safety 30 January 10.00am to 12.00pm Dean Cross
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ESTATES
ESTATES DIRECTORATE – WEEK AHEAD

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

To submit an item for Round Up, please email details to roundup@qub.ac.uk by 1.00pm on the Thursday before the Monday edition in which they are to appear.

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