“Irish third-level institutions are to be affected by strikes and other actions over pay and conditions in the coming months. This comes as lecturers and researchers in 60 universities across the UK and Northern Ireland began an eight day strike on Monday over pensions, pay and conditions …” (more)
[TheJournal.ie, 1 December]
“We are now mid-way through eight days of strike action taking place in 60 universities throughout the UK. Industrial action began on Monday 25 November and is scheduled to last until Wednesday 4 December, affecting over one million students. From Thursday 5th December, strike action will continue with many academics working to ‘action short of strike’, meaning they will not reschedule cancelled classes or cover for absent colleagues …” (more)
[Rachel Ashe, The Gown, 29 November]
“Queen’s University is investigating 100 cases of anti-social behaviour in the Holyland area of Belfast since the beginning of term. Figures obtained by the BBC show that the cases had come before the university’s disciplinary officers up to October 11. They are currently ongoing. Ulster University (UU) has issued 47 written warnings to students living in the area from the start of the academic year in September until November 7 …” (more)
[Gareth Cross, Belfast Telegraph, 28 November]
“Many lecturers and support staff at Queen’s University (QUB) and Ulster University (UU) are beginning eight days of strike action on Monday. The action by University and College Union (UCU) members is due to disputes over pay and pensions. The strike is expected to continue up to and including Wednesday, 4 December …” (more)
[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 25 November]
“Queen’s University and Ulster University face eight days of strike action from many lecturers and support staff, starting on 25 November. The action by University and College Union (UCU) members is due to disputes over pay and pensions. The walkout follows votes in favour of industrial action and will affect about 60 universities across the UK …” (more)
[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 7 November]
“A leading Queen’s University academic has called on the institution to release more information on its historical involvement in electrical aversion therapy on gay men. BBC News NI previously interviewed a student who was shown pictures of naked men and given electric shocks if he was aroused. It took place during the late 1960s and early 1970s …” (more)
[Niall McCracken and Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 24 October]
“An Ulster University lecturer has criticised the institution’s ‘galling’ spending after it emerged 65 staff were paid at least £100,000 each year. Right-wing pressure group the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) announced the finding after submitting Freedom of Information requests to 120 universities across the UK …” (more)
[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 3 October]
“Queen’s University has said it regrets its past use of electrical aversion therapy to ‘cure’ homosexuality. The therapy involves a patient being shown naked pictures and given electric shocks if they become aroused. It was used in the 1960s and 70s, however it has since been debunked. Speaking to the BBC, a former Queen’s student who underwent the therapy, John (not his real name), said the experience was ‘horrible’ …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 30 September]
“John, not his real name, underwent electrical aversion therapy at Queen’s University, Belfast, while a student in the 1960s. The Presbyterian student was shown pictures of naked men and given electric shocks if he was aroused …” (video)
[BBC News, 30 September]
“Queen’s students were divided yesterday on the controversial ‘Brits Out’ slogan. For some, it was unwelcoming, others, though, said the controversy was trivial. Speaking with some of her fellow computer science students …” (more)
[Allan Preston, Belfast Telegraph, 28 September]
“Queen’s University has launched an investigation into a poster with the slogan ‘Brits Out’ that was displayed at the Fresher’s Fair by Sinn Fein’s youth wing. The poster attracted widespread criticism from unionists after it was displayed at Thursday’s event at the Belfast campus …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 27 September]
“Ulster Unionists have expressed their anger after a Sinn Fein youth group displayed a poster featuring the words ‘Brits Out’ at the Queen’s University Belfast Freshers’ Fair. The Freshers’ Fair took place on Wednesday and Thursday at Lanyon Lawn and Whitla Hall …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 26 September]
“Queen’s University remains the best university in Northern Ireland, according to an influential list. It has climbed three places to stay within the top 40 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. Ulster University has also climbed in the national rankings to joint 58th place …” (more)
[Gillian Halliday, Belfast Telegraph, 20 September]
“Holyland residents have described ‘total chaos’ as hundreds of young people partied on the streets of the south Belfast neighbourhood overnight. Chair of College Park Avenue Residents’ Association Brid Ruddy told the Belfast Telegraph that the trouble started at lunchtime on Sunday when students began drinking on the streets …” (more)
[Mark Edwards, Belfast Telegraph, 16 September]
“The flaws with college rankings are well documented. They are produced by commercial organisations which sell their expertise on how to perform better. They ignore key aspects of college life such as the quality of teaching and learning. And the science behind some of the indicators is suspect, at best. But there is no denying their influence …” (more)
[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 11 September]
“Northern Ireland’s universities generated more than £400,000 in student library fines over the last five years, the BBC has learned. Figures show that Ulster University and Queen’s University in Belfast amassed a total of £423,000 since 2013 …” (more)
[BBC News, 12 August]
“The Ulster Unionist Party has condemned what they claim is a ‘discriminatory campaign’ by Fianna Fail calling for a ban on the British Army from an event at Queen’s University Belfast. In a post to a private Facebook group for clubs and societies at the university, QUB Fianna Fail allegedly said they voted to launch a campaign calling for the ‘total removal of the British Army from Societies Day’ …” (more)
[Belfast Telegraph, 24 May]
“Speaking following a meeting between Sinn Féin representatives and Queen’s University on equality issues, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said: ‘We had a positive discussion on the university’s new draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy; and on issues such as visibility of the Irish Language …'” (more)
[Sinn Féin, 22 May]
“A row has broken out following complaints by unionist politicians about views expressed by lecturers at Queen’s University. The University College Union (UCU) at Queen’s has hit out at what it termed ‘wholly unfair and worryingly authoritarian attacks’ on local academics’ right to voice opinions … ” (more)
[Adrian Rutherford, Belfast Telegraph, 18 May]
“The union that represents the majority of lecturers at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has accused some unionist parties and politicians of attacks on academic freedom. The University and College Union (UCU) said they were aimed at gagging academics, especially over Brexit …” (more)
[Robbie Meredith, BBC News, 17 May]
