5th December is International Volunteer Day. We warmly invite Queen’s students and societies, staff and service teams, along with civic and community partners, to join this information session to celebrate International Volunteer Day and to explore ways to contribute to Queen’s Year of the Horse celebrations.
Come join us at 1 pm on the day in the iconic Lanyon Canada Room/Council Chamber for a get-together and sharing of celebration information and ideas.
All is welcome and registration is required for catering purposes.
Organised by Queen’s Chinese students and alumni, this concert is a community-oriented cultural initiative designed to foster diversity, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue in Northern Ireland. As the Chinese community represents one of the largest cultural groups in Northern Ireland, the concert also responds to their need for collective expression and connection, particularly for students and residents who may experience isolation or homesickness.
This concert project supports civic engagement by providing an accessible platform where local and international communities can come together to experience Chinese cultural heritage. Aligned with the principle that “music knows no borders”, the concert contributes to cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and the creation of more inclusive civic spaces. It directly supports institutional priorities in widening participation, celebrating cultural diversity, and strengthening community cohesion.
The concert presents Chinese classical poetry through art songs accompanied by piano and guzheng, bringing Eastern and Western musical traditions into conversation.
Queen’s students and staff members, as well as members of the public, are all welcome to sign up for the concert. Places are limited and tickets will be issued on a first-come-first-serve basis. To register, please either click the button below, or scan the QR code above.
Towards Inclusive Belonging: Intercultural Realities and Responses to Microaggressions
Following the success of the inaugural QUB Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Forum in March 2025, the upcoming event will centre on the theme: “Sense of Belonging and Microaggressions among International Students”, with a particular focus on the lived experiences of Chinese and Indian students at Queen’s. Colleagues are warmly welcome to attend this forum, as below:
Date: Tuesday 24 June 2025 Time: 13:00 – 15:30 Venue: The Auditorium, McClay Library
Yushan Tang Wilson, PhD student, School of Psychology
A panel of academic, professional colleagues and student representatives will further explore both the conceptual dimensions and the practical steps needed to enhance inclusion, foster belonging, and address microaggressions within our diverse university community.
Programme:
Welcome Lunch
Introduction
Presentations
Panel discussion
Closing remarks
Places are limited to max. 40 due to room capacity and we have the first-come, first-served policy. The registration form will be closed once places are taken, or by 5 pm, Friday 20th May the latest.
Cena, E., Burns, S., & Wilson, P. (2021). Sense of belonging, intercultural and academic experiences among international students at a University in Northern Ireland. Journal of International Students, 11(4), 812-831. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v11i4.2541
In her first episode, Liu Ningning introduced her life with dance at Queen’s. In the second half, she continues to share with us how she has done so far to build up confidence in academic growth. For more information on her research interest, please read the School of Law webpage.
Finding My Voice: From Queen’s Competition to Cambridge Conversations
As a first-year PhD student in Law at Queen’s, one of my goals has always been to go beyond my thesis — to challenge myself, engage with others, and grow as both a scholar and a communicator. This spring, I took two major steps toward that goal: I participated in the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition hosted by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS), and I attended my first academic conference in the UK — the Cambridge International Law Journal’s Annual Conference.
“Three Minutes, One Slide”
The 3MT Competition took place on 20 March 2025 and brought together PhD researchers from across AHSS Schools to do something both daunting and exciting: present their entire PhD research in just three minutes, using only one static slide, to a non-specialist audience.
It was my first academic competition at Queen’s, my first presentation to a public audience beyond my supervisors and peers, my first time competing in English — and, frankly, my first time doing anything like this. To make things even more challenging, I wasn’t feeling my best physically that day. But I reminded myself: this wasn’t just about competing — it was about learning. It was a valuable opportunity for practice, feedback, and growth — especially ahead of my differentiation review and future conference presentations. I wanted to hear comments from people outside my discipline. I wanted to get my research out there, early.
And I did.
Liu Ningning, runner-up award winner, in the group photo of the AHSS 3MT Competition. (Photo source: QUB School of Law)
To my surprise, I was awarded Runner-Up. I was the only Chinese and East Asian student, the only first-year PhD among the winners, and I received incredibly warm, encouraging feedback from both judges and audience members. But what meant the most was realising that my voice could be heard — and appreciated — even in a room full of native speakers.
More importantly, I grew from the experience. The challenge of condensing a complex PhD project into a strict three-minute format forced me to reflect on what really matters in my research — what’s essential, what’s meaningful, and how to connect with people unfamiliar with my field. The process sharpened not only my ideas but also my sense of purpose.
As a non-native English speaker, I know how intimidating it can be to speak publicly. Many Chinese students worry about accents, grammar, or not “sounding perfect.” But I’ve learned that presentation is not just about flawless English — it’s about clarity, confidence, and connection. Everyone has an accent. What matters is whether your audience understands your message and feels your intention.
Liu Ningning at the 3MT Competition event
Liu Ningning’s Runner-Up Award
The competition also gave me the chance to listen and learn from others. I was inspired by the diversity of topics, styles, and approaches. From research focus to methodology to presentation techniques, I came away with insights that will help shape my academic journey.
I would encourage my peers to take part in competitions, workshops, conferences, and other events. Step up, speak out — not necessary to win, but to grow.
From Queen’s to Cambridge
Building on that momentum, I travelled to Cambridge in late April to attend the 14th Annual Conference of the Cambridge International Law Journal, themed Navigating a Multipolar World: Challenges to the Post-WWII Status Quo of International Law. This was my first academic conference in the UK — and I attended not to present (yet!), but to observe, learn, and take the temperature ahead of my upcoming presentation at the Warwick Law Colloquium in June.
My academic background — in German asylum law for my undergraduate thesis, and international organisation law for my master’s — has always drawn me to global legal issues.
The Cambridge conference gave me a front-row seat to current conversations on climate justice, international criminal law, cyber governance, and the future of human rights. Attending this conference — listening to panels, keynote speeches, and hallway conversations — reminded me why I chose to pursue a PhD. It also gave me ideas for positioning my own research within the broader context of global legal developments.
Both experiences have inspired me to grow — not only as a researcher, but also as a communicator and an engaged member of the academic community. I’ve learned that making an impact isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, being open to learning, and having the courage to share your thoughts. Often, that first step is all it takes to start something meaningful.
Professor Shuang REN, Director, DEIB Committee, Queen’s Business School
Dr Liang WANG, Language Support Officer & QUB iRise (BAME&I) Event Officer
Outline:
This forum aims to discuss the local resources, good practices and challenges when supporting Chinese (and other) international students, in response to the recently published HEPI Report “How can UK universities improve their strategies for tackling integration challenges among Chinese students?“ (Ebel, 2024). This report raises critical questions about whether Chinese students receive adequate support in UK universities.
As one of the UK’s leading institutions for international students, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for Chinese and other international students. Jointly organised by QBS DEIB Committee and The Language Centre, supported by QUB iRise Network, we particularly welcome colleagues from different sectors with good experiences of supporting Chinese students to attend the discussions. Based on the voices from staff and students at the forum, we hope to identity approaches that would enhance the level of support at Queen’s University Belfast.
Below is a provisional agenda for your information:
Welcome
Introduction
Panel discussion
Interactive breakout discussions
Lunch break
Action plan and closing remarks
Places are limited to max. 30 due to room capacity and we have the first-come, first-served policy. The registration form will be closed once places are taken, or by 5 pm, Thursday 20th March the latest.
We are deeply grateful to all of you – students (including alumni and visiting students), staff members (including visiting academics), and their families – for your support in making the Year of the Snake celebration a success over the past weeks. This has been a truly remarkable celebration, bringing together diverse communities at Queen’s and beyond, fostering intercultural exchange and deeper understanding among people from different cultural backgrounds.
We take great pride in hosting this grand celebration, the very first of 2025 at Queen’s, which also marks the beginning of the University’s 180th Anniversary celebrations. We look forward to welcoming you to an exciting lineup of events as part of Queen’s 180th Anniversary celebration programme – stay tuned for more opportunities to engage and celebrate together!
As the Lantern Festival falls on Wednesday, 12th February, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to all colleagues and students who have supported our celebration programme in various ways.
To mark the conclusion of the Year of the Snake Celebration Programme, recognise the winners of the Drawing the Snake Competition, and express our gratitude to our volunteers and contributors, we warmly invite you to our “Lantern Festival” stands in the foyer area of One Elmwood on Wednesday, 12th February, from 12:30 to 13:30. Join us for a special gathering and award ceremony, where we will celebrate your contributions, share joyful moments, and reflect on the unforgettable highlights of this year’s festivities.
Fun Time with Table Tennis
As part of our celebration tradition, we host a Table Tennis Event around the Lantern Festival to promote networking and community building as a key highlight of the Lantern Festival celebration. Sponsored by the QUB iRISE Staff Network, this event warmly invites students, staff members, and their families to take part in a fun and friendly gathering. It offers a chance to engage with one of the most popular sports in Chinese communities while also fostering well-being through physical activity and social interaction.
Additionally, we invite you to explore the ArtEast Online Exhibition, showcasing a diverse collection of artworks by local Chinese artists. The artists would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions to further enhance their presentations.
Thank you for your enthusiastic participation! While our Chinese Culture Forum 2025 will continue to present events and activities in the future, we look forward to celebrating with you again next year as we welcome the Year of the Horse!
Launch of the Chinese New Year celebrations (Wednesday 22 January) – open to all students and staff
With the arrival of the Year of the Snake on Wednesday 29 January, we would like to send our best wishes to all those who celebrate it and its variations (Lunar New Year in some Asian countries) and invite staff and students to join together on Wednesday 22 January for the main launch event, as below.
This is a collaborative event, organised by The Language Centre, One Elmwood Student Experience Team, Queen’s Students’ Union, CSSA, MSSNI, Ppi Belfast, and Queen’s iRISE Staff Network, supported by People and Culture Diversity and Inclusion team.
12:00 – 13:00 Welcome Reception (Auditorium, McClay Library) –please register for this here.
13:00 – 13:30 Dragon Dance and Parade – departing from McClay Library through Lanyon, finishing at One Elmwood Student Centre and Students’ Union)
13:30 – 16:00 Cultural Fair and Performances (One Elmwood Foyer – Ground Floor) –no registration required
Chinese Culture Forum
The celebration of the Year of the Snake also announces the start of our Chinese Culture Forum in 2025, with the following talks contributed by Queen’s staff and students, including visiting academics and students from a range of disciplines. Check the programme button and book the events that you are interested in.
We are open to proposals for a variety of events that you would wish to help with or contribute to developing our CCP2025 programme. Please do not hesitate to submit your proposals via the form below and we will get in touch with you in due course after your submission.
The Pre-CNY Workshops commenced with great enthusiasm, setting the tone for the celebrations ahead.
On the afternoon of Monday, 13th January, the Blue Sky Room at One Elmwood welcomed a diverse audience from various cultural and academic backgrounds. Attendees gathered to participate in three engaging workshops — Drawing the Snake, Chinese Calligraphy, and Paper Crafts — in preparation for the arrival of the Year of the Snake.
The Language Centre, in collaboration with One Elmwood Student Experience Team and Queen’s Students’ Union, is keen to invite students and staff members, as well as members of the public, to attend a wide range of events in the coming weeks, featuring
The launch of the Chinese New Year celebrations (Wednesday 22 January)
Year of the Snake Fair (Wednesday 22 January)
Culture talks
Film seminar and screening
Art exhibitions
For more information and to register click the button below
