Global Partnerships
The Science Shop at Queen's University Belfast is one of the longest established in the world.
The Science Shop at Queen’s University Belfast is a founding partner of the Living Knowledge Science Shop Network, playing a key role in supporting and mentoring Science Shops across Europe and internationally.
We have also worked to develop the policy case for engaged research, particularly with communities, and to ensure that the value of community engaged research and learning is recognised at a policy level.
Our learning from international partnerships has helped us drive forward our own practice in Queen’s University Belfast.
Over the years, the Science Shop at Queen’s University Belfast has led and collaborated on numerous European projects focused on Community Engaged Research and Learning. Across our last three European Commission funded projects we worked with 28 partners from 16 European countries.
Literacy boost through an Operational Educational Ecosystem of Societal actors on Soil health
Queen's University Belfast is proud to be the UK partner in the LOESS project, a European initiative dedicated to restoring soil health. This project aims to enhance soil literacy by developing innovative educational programs, continuous training initiatives and skills development activities for a diverse array of stakeholders and target groups engaged in soil education.
Launched in June 2023 under the EU Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe' the Horizon Europe project LOESS marks a significant step forward in our collective efforts to promote soil health. The Science Shop at QUB is coordinating the UK Community of Practice (CoP) and is actively seeking new members to join this vital initiative.
Click here to find out more on the LOESS ProjectPAST PROJECTS
CIRCLET - Curriculum Innovation through Research with Communities: Learning circles of Educators and Technology
From 2019 - 2022, the Science Shop at QUB successfully led the €385k Erasmus+ project CIRCLET which developed learning circles for Community Engaged Research and Learning (CERL). Through the CIRCLET project, more than 3000 students and 104 academics across 5 partner universities participated in CERL projects. As a result of this project, 53 modules were redesigned and 187 projects were undertaken with 165 community organisations. Many of those who participated in the project continue to support Community Engaged Research and Learning across the 5 partner institutions.
Click here for more information on the CIRCLET Project
EnRRICH - Enhancing Responsible Research and Innovation through Curricula in Higher Education
From 2015 - 2018, the Science Shop at QUB co-led The EnRRICH project which focused on curriculum redevelopment. The project was successful in building the capacity of staff in higher education to facilitate the students’ development of knowledge, skills and attitudes and competencies in responsible research and innovation and respond to the research needs of society, particularly underserved civil society organisations (CSOs).
Click here for more information on the EnRRICH project
PERARES - Public Engagement with Research and Research Engagement with Society
From 2010 - 2014, the Science Shop at QUB shaped and led a work package on policy and curriculum development as part of the PERARES project. This project aimed to strengthen interaction in formulating research agendas between researchers and civil society organisations (CSOs). The project involved 28 partners coming from 17 different countries. Through PERARES, new curricula interventions were trialled and a policy case was established for bringing research engagement and collaboration practices into the curriculum.
Click here for more information on the PERARES project