The payment date for December 2025 will be 19 December 2025. The cut-off date for all information to be included in the December pay run is Friday 5 December at 5.00pm.

• Relocation Claims: Staff are asked to submit relocation claims to relocation@qub.ac.uk by Wednesday 26 November, to ensure processing and inclusion in December salaries.
• Sickness Absence monitors: all inputs are to be updated by Friday 5 December.

As this payroll is being run earlier than usual, please provide all changes/inputs by the above deadlines to avoid any underpayments.

Please contact salaries.office@qub.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Staff are invited to the Civic University Celebration Event on Monday 17 November from 10.00am to 12 noon in the Great Hall. 

The event will showcase the authentic partnerships and genuine collaboration between Queen’s and its civic partners. The Civic University Agreement will be launched on the day, a significant milestone in our journey to becoming a truly Civic University.

• For more information and to register, please click here.

As the holiday season approaches, a reminder that 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.

• Find out more about the Staff Discounts Scheme.

The Conference and Events team are seeking staff volunteers to assist at Winter Graduation, taking place from Monday 8 to Friday 12 December.

• Find out more and apply to volunteer here.

Each year, the Strategic Communications Directorate showcases a selection of our graduands who have interesting stories to tell. In advance of the Winter Graduations, they would like your help to tell those stories. 

• Please complete this form to share your story, and the Strategic Communications Directorate team will be in touch. The deadline for responses is Monday 24 November at 5pm.

Staff are invited to nominate graduating students who have demonstrated:

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

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

Our case studies celebrate the real-world impact of our research on individuals and communities. Robin's story shows how Queen’s pioneering work in prostate cancer treatment is transforming patient care - offering hope, dignity, and a better quality of life.

"It was one extra test, one decision to take part in a clinical trial, and the dedication of the researchers and clinicians who wanted to find a better way. Research isn’t just about survival. It’s about living fully, with hope and dignity.” 

• Read Robin's Story here.

Our case studies celebrate the real-world impact of our research on individuals and communities. Paul Crawford’s story shows the transformative role that academic institutions can play in peacebuilding and legacy processes by offering credibility, platforms, and expertise.

“Without Queen’s, this could have been dismissed as just another personal grievance. Their endorsement gave the process credibility. They made sure the truth was seen, heard, and taken seriously.”

• Read Paul's Story here.

• For more information, including details of the Election Notice and the relevant Regulation, please click here.
  

The nominations for this year's Staff Excellence Awards have been extended until Monday 17 November at 5pm. 

• Find out more and submit a nomination

These annual awards recognise and celebrate the remarkable contributions of individual colleagues and teams across our university community who embody Queen’s core values.

As we enter the peak months for winter virus, a quick reminder of some sensible precautions you can take to keep yourself and others healthy:

• Get Vaccinated: The PHA is urging everyone in the eligible groups to take up the offer of free vaccination when invited. You can get vaccinated at your local pharmacy if not eligible for a free vaccination. 
• 'Catch it. Bin it. Kill it’: Carry tissues to catch coughs or sneezes, then bin the tissue after use.
• Regularly wash your hands throughout the day, especially before eating or drinking and after using the toilet.
• Rest up: Know when to stay home to stop the spread:
  • If you have a high temperature, stay home until you feel better; 
  • If you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, you should stay home and avoid preparing food for others for at least 48 hours after the last episode;
  • Read our Sickness Absence Procedure here.
• Keep indoor spaces ventilated: Open a window when meeting others indoors to help limit the spread of viruses.

Staff are invited to take part in a short but important survey exploring how Queen’s reputation compares to other UK and international universities. The survey takes just five minutes to complete, and your feedback will be invaluable in identifying areas for improvement and shaping the university's strategic approach.

• Please complete the World 100 survey here by Friday 28 November at 12.00pm (noon). 

Due to popular demand, the Union Bar at One Elmwood is now serving seasonal favourites - including its much-loved Christmas Pizza and Festive Loaded Fries - alongside the regular menu*, giving staff an even wider range of options to enjoy.

*Food is served Monday to Friday, from 11.30am until late.

The Student Engagement Team warmly invites staff to a special festive event on Tuesday 2 December in the One Elmwood Foyer.

The Staff Wellbeing Choir will be in attendance performing some delightful Christmas carols from 12.45pm, along with festive drinks and snacks.

All are welcome.

Queen’s partnership with Cyclescheme offers staff significant savings on the cost of a bike and equipment for commuting to work - and the good news is that e-bikes are now available through Cycle+! 

Even better, Queen’s staff can now enjoy a ‘try before you buy’ e-bike commute experience. There are two e-bikes on offer as a demo commute, with one being a folding option to allow access onto trains during the morning rush hour. 

Queen's is taking part in European Week for Waste Reduction with a variety of sustainable events for staff and students happening across campus from 24 November to 27 November, focused on reducing consumption, reusing products and materials, and recycling waste. 

• Find out more and register for upcoming events here.

• AI for Educators Canvas Course: A Canvas course designed to help student-facing staff build confidence in using AI – with opportunities for discussion and hands-on AI Skills Build activities. Enrol in the course here.
• AI Lightning Talks: Earlier this semester, our AI Lightning Talks event brought together colleagues from across the university who shared insights into how they had been putting AI into action in their work. Recordings are available on the AI Training page.
• Jisc Training Opportunities: From October to December, Jisc is offering a series of one-hour online training sessions as part of its AI literacy curriculum for teaching and learning staff. 

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

• October Post-Brexit Clinic at Queen's. The recording and slides from the latest Clinic are now available here.
• An A – Z of the Irish Presidency, by Prof Marie Coleman

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:

• 12 months out from the US midterms, both sides struggle to gain electoral advantage, by Richard Hargy
• John Grisham’s The Widow: a legal mystery that asks if a sleazy lawyer can ever be seen as a ‘good’ victim, by Sarah-Jayne Coyle
• A history of the dukes of York, by Dr Mark McKinty
• Scary stories for kids: Watership Down made me aware of my mortality at four, by Aislinn Clarke

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

• International research prize for School of Mathematics and Physics Academic
• Queen’s appoints three new Academic Leads for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Queen’s honours His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma GCVO with Honorary Doctorate in India
• Queen’s KTP team shines brightly at national Golden Awards
• “Bad Bridgets” Heads to Hollywood: New Film Based on Book by Queen's and Ulster Historians
• Mating injuries lead scientists to identify female dinosaurs
• Queen’s announced as Lead Educational Partner for Young Enterprise NI's Company Programme
• TEDx at Queen’s tackles big questions as part of 180th anniversary celebrations
• New study on pregnancy loss reveals women in NI on ‘tenterhooks’
• Queen's University first to be recognised as a Platinum Cycle Friendly Employer

Our latest 'Spotlight on our Staff' profile features Dr Thomas Thompson, Research Fellow in the School of Pharmacy. 

From tackling infections with cold plasma to working across physics, chemistry, and biology, explore how Thomas's cutting-edge research is making a real difference in people’s lives.

• Read Thomas's profile.

Queen's Staff Blog provides a space for staff to share their reflections, knowledge and experiences. Our latest blog features Mairéad Regan, Senate member and Chair of the Staff Excellence Awards.

• BLOG: Senate member, Mairéad Regan, shares her reflections on her time as Chair of the Staff Excellence Awards. 

The final Internal Communication Drop-In Session for Autumn 2025 will take place on Tuesday 25 November, 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Please note that this session will be delivered online.

• To join the session, click here during the above timeslot.

Colleagues across the University are welcome to drop virtually for guidance on approaches to help promote information or initiatives to internal audiences, or for advice on internal communication challenges. 

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.

Staff are invited to the inaugural lecture of Professor Ioana Latu When Good Intentions Meet Resistance: Understanding the Diversity Backlash on Thursday 27 November at 6.30pm in DKB OG.012, followed by a reception in the DKB Hub.

• Find out more and register here.

All are welcome.

The Mitchell Institute Event List for September to November is now available.

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

• In Conversation event: Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota in conversation with Professor Marsha Henry, Monday 10 November, 5.30pm to 7.00pm, Great Hall, Lanyon Building
• Seminar: Breaking Cycles of Impunity: Late-Stage Transitional Justice in Argentina, Monday 10 November, 5.00pm to 6.00pm, Moot Court, School of Law, QUB
• Conference: 40 Years On: Reflecting on the Anglo-Irish Agreement, Tuesday 11 November, 9.30am to 4.30pm, Riddel Hall

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.

• For more information, please contact d.rogers@qub.ac.uk.
• More information / Apply: FameLab UK

• Postdoctoral Group Mentoring Programme 2025/26: Applications close on Monday 1 December at 9am.
• Career Exploration Interview: Can a Scientist become an Industry Success? – YES. Tuesday 11 November, 12.00pm to 1.00pm, (online).
• Decision Making – Career Choices (in person). Tuesday 18 November, 9.30am to 1.00pm, Seminar Room, 63 University Road.
• Postdoc Parents Network: Parents Play Awareness Session with Playboard NI. Monday 24 November, 11.00am to 1.00pm, Senate Room (in person). 
• Supervising Skills for Assistant Supervisors and Postdocs: 1 December, 9.30am to 12 noon (online). 
• Postdocs Spotlight @ QUB – Scales of Research: National, Digital, Planetary: 18 December, 11.45am to 2.00pm (in person). 

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

Since its inception in 1968, the QFT has occupied a unique place in the cultural and entertainment life of Northern Ireland. 

All staff at Queen's are entitled to a discount on all standard QFT screenings at the QFT.

Simply show your staff card at the QFT Box Office, or select Staff when booking your tickets online.

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

• Bugonia
• Too Much: Melodrama on Film
• Palestine 36
• The Choral
• Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio
• Frankenstein
• NT Live: Mrs Warren's Profession
• Goodbye Julia + discussion
• Anemone
• Baby Pictures: The Choral
• Die My Love

QFT has made it to the final five independent cinemas shortlisted for the first-ever BIFA Cinema of the Year award, which is supported by Kia and decided by cinemagoers across the country. The award will be decided by the general public, and your participation is encouraged in helping QFT receive this national recognition.

• Vote for QFT to be named Cinema of the Year here.
• Voting closes: Tuesday 25 November 2025 at 11.00am.

• İlhan Sami Çomak: A Reading and Conversation: Colleagues are invited to İlhan Sami Çomak: A Reading and Conversation* on Monday 10 November from 10.30am to 12pm in The Wolfson Lecture Theatre, The Seamus Heaney Centre. Find out more here and register here. 

• FRET: Staff are also welcome to attend FRET on Thursday 13 November from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in The Wolfson Lecture Theatre, The Seamus Heaney Centre. Through poetry, story or song, performers each have up to seven minutes to respond to the theme of the evening. To find out more and to register, please click here. 

• CCEA Consultation - Extended Deadline: The Department of Education is consulting on proposals regarding the future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels, and A levels. Staff are encouraged to review the proposed changes here.  Staff who wish to provide feedback should submit their responses via the MS Forms form here. All responses will be collated to form our institutional response. The form will close at midnight on Monday 10 November 2025.
• NTFS and CATE Awards 2026: Advance HE has opened this year’s National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS)* and Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE). The submission deadline for both schemes is 11 March 2026. For more information and information on how to apply, please click here. Queries can be directed o.hamill@qub.ac.uk 

The International Partnerships Team is pleased to launch the International Partnership Development Fund* (IPDF) for Academic Year 2025-2026.

This strategic funding opportunity has been created as a pilot pump-priming scheme to support the development of high-potential institutional partnerships in designated regions and is in line with Strategy 2030’s ‘Global Partnerships and Reputation’ priority and the commitment to: “..enhance our international reputation as a world-class research and educational institution, communicating our distinctive impact to the world. Through our global reputation, we will also promote the international profile and connectivity of Northern Ireland.” 

The IPDF targets priority partners from designated regions that have the potential to be further developed into strategic, institutional partners, that are active across multiple strands of activity and a variety of disciplines. The aim is to accelerate existing partnerships, strengthen academic relationships and drive long-term collaboration in research, education and/or student recruitment.

To find out more and to apply, please click here. Applications close midnight Wednesday 3 December 2025.

• Winter clothing: coats, gloves, scarves, jumpers, hats
• Household items: dinner plates, mugs, kitchen utensils, pots and pans
• Festive items: Christmas decorations (no lights or candles)
• Small gifts: items suitable for re-gifting

Male staff are invited to join the Movember Men’s Walk and Talk every Tuesday in November at 10am around Botanic Gardens.

This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, enjoy a relaxed walk, and have open conversations while supporting each other’s wellbeing.

No sign-up needed - just turn up, walk, and talk! The meeting point is the bottom of the stairs in One Elmwood.

• Find out more and register here.

There are still places available on the following Learning for All sessions:

• Skills for Effective Mentoring
• Get Ready for Management and Leadership
• Planning My Career Development

These sessions provide an invaluable opportunity to enhance your professional skills and support your career development.

• Further information, including booking instructions, can be found here.

• Register here for the event. Spaces are limited to 30 participants and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Queen’s Open Learning Programme features a rich and diverse range of courses. Staff are warmly invited to propose and teach a course of their own.

• The deadline for proposing a Spring course is 17 November. To propose a Spring course, please complete the form here.
• For more information, including details of current courses open for enrolment, please click here.

• 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).

The Safety Training programme for the forthcoming academic year 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 the rest of October and November are given below. All sessions are in person.