Queen’s has today been showcasing the impact of its work across Northern Ireland and beyond to Executive Ministers, MLAs and policymakers, the first in a year-long programme of events to mark its 180th year.

Highlighting the critical role the University plays in supporting Programme for Government objectives and driving real-world impact, Queen’s brought together politicians and policymakers with its academics and staff delivering world-leading research, groundbreaking innovation and life-changing work in the community.

The showcase exhibition provided an opportunity to discuss how collaborative efforts can create meaningful change for the people of Northern Ireland.

Queen's President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, emphasised the University’s proud 180-year history of advancing knowledge, innovation, and the contributions made to society:

“For nearly two centuries, our work has had a huge impact on real lives, and government priorities, every single day. 

“Queen’s has turned out world-changing pioneers including cardiologist and inventor of the portable defibrillator Professor Frank Pantridge, poet and writer Seamus Heaney, physicist John Stewart Bell, and countless political representatives and notable alumni. 

“Today, we continue to nurture the minds of such game-changers. There are researchers at Queen's considering how technological advancements can both assist in, and pose a risk to, the Executive's commitment to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls; researchers looking at transforming  healthcare delivery through new techniques and precision medicine which can aid waiting list reduction, and countless other research teams and institutional initiatives linked to government priorities across economic growth, education, climate action, and global peace and security.”

Political leaders and policymakers also learnt about Queen’s initiatives to ensure access to quality education for all young people as part of its Widening Participation programme, as well as how the University connects with underrepresented and underserved communities to co-create capacity-building initiatives. 

Economically, Queen's has contributed over £3 billion to the economy, with every £1 invested in Queen’s generating an £8 return for the UK. The University’s Belfast Region City Deal projects showcased the innovate projects that will transform lives in Northern Ireland in the areas of health, manufacturing and technology, and further enhance economic development.

Economy Minister, Conor Murphy MLA said:

“Queens University is a key partner of the Executive. Academics at Queen’s are delivering world class research and innovative solutions to challenges of both local and global significance across health, climate, the economy, and peacebuilding.

“I commend the Queen’s University academics and staff who strive to translate research into reality for the benefit of our economy and communities.”

Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA, said of the event: 

“It is clear to see how the impact of education delivered here in Northern Ireland reaches right across the world whether that’s in peacebuilding, health, technology or sustainability.  

“It’s heartening to see how Queen’s Widening Participation work makes the value of education accessible to communities and schools where there is lower uptake of Higher Education, and the ways in which its Civic Engagement outreach delivers empowering, community-led initiatives combining community expertise with academia to the benefit of underserved areas.” 

Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA said:  

“The Higher Education sector is a trusted delivery partner for many of the scientific needs of my department, providing excellent, robust evidence to support my key priorities of tackling climate change, protecting the natural environment and supporting sustainable, resilient and productive rural, agri-food and fishing sectors.  

“The alliance my Department has with Queen’s is a great example of how the collaborative efforts can deliver on Executive priorities such as protecting Lough Neagh and the environment.” 

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