The event, organised by Queen’s Gender Initiative in collaboration with SistersIN, welcomed around 100 sixth-form schoolgirls and 15 teachers from schools across Northern Ireland. 

Attendees at Queen’s Mandela Hall heard from three inspirational speakers: Caitlin Chee (Queen’s Student of the Year 2024/25), Suyi Yang (Student Union Vice President for Equality & Diversity) and Emma Murphy, Queen’s University graduate intern and former Students Union President who shared their career pathways, leadership journeys and personal reflections. 

Throughout the event, pupils had the opportunity to explore the campus, participate in events and activities selected according to their interests. 

Led by Queen’s academics and students, sessions covered diverse topics such as women’s contributions to cinema, engineering for a sustainable future, saving lives through medical simulation, the role of AI in learning, and the fundamentals of legal mooting.  

Professor Karen McCloskey, Academic Lead for SistersNI, Queen’s University said: “Queen’s is delighted to host this event again this year to welcome future female leaders and to highlight the transformative impact of education and mentorship.  

“By providing these young women with exposure to different career pathways and both student and staff leaders, we hope to inspire and empower them for success in their future educational and professional pathways. 

“This SistersINSPIRE event and our valued partnership with SistersIN across other initiatives are part of Queen’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality and deliver on our Athena Swan Gold commitments."

Gillian McKeown, Director of Operations and Growth, SistersIN said: “SistersINSPIRE is an incredible opportunity for young women to take part in and to hear from trailblazers in various fields, expanding their knowledge, aspirations and empowering them to take their place as future leaders.” 

Emma Murphy, Graduate Intern in Public Affairs at Queen’s University said: “This event gives young women the chance to hear from leaders on a range of different topics and inspires them to become leaders themselves. It is incredibly important to empower pupils to follow whichever path they choose, and to have the confidence to take space in leadership roles. I’m so pleased that Queen’s is hosting SistersINSPIRE 2025 and leading the way in so many of the gender equality initiatives that they champion.” 

The event concluded with a Q&A session, providing pupils with an opportunity to engage with a diverse panel of Queen’s staff and students from various disciplines and career stages. 

Media

Media enquiries to Queen’s Communications Office on email: comms.office@qub.ac.uk or tel: (028) 9097 3091