Alumni engagement and philanthropy



TEDXQUEENSUNIVERSITYBELFAST TO HOST SECOND DIGITAL CONFERENCE ‘GIVE BACK | MOVE FORWARD’  Launching TEDx at Queen's University Belfast in front of the Lanyon Building

02 December 2020

Queen’s University – with corporate sponsor Aflac Northern Ireland – will host its second digital, independently organised TEDx conference on Friday 26 February 2021 entitled ‘Give Back | Move Forward’.

This series of TEDxQueensUniversityBelfast talks will showcase our community – the staff, students and alumni of Queen’s University Belfast – who as they move forward with their own work, study, research and life are, in a wide range of ways, giving back and making a meaningful and positive contribution to society, locally and globally.

The confirmed speakers, so far, include: 

  • Sheree Atcheson, award-winning global diversity, equity and inclusion champion, author of ‘Demanding More’, and Queen’s Graduate of the Year 2019
  • Nathalie Trott, Director of Development and Alumni Relations
  • Georgia Stewart and Rebekah Mercer, medical students – President and Vice-President of SWOT (Students Working Overseas Trust)
  • Professor Chris Johnson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  • Professor Fionnuala Ni Aolain, from the School of Law
  • Simon Hamilton, Belfast Chamber
  • And the Monaghan Sisters, who will deliver a special singing performance. 

The event will be compered by BBC Northern Ireland broadcaster, William Crawley. 

Professor Richard English, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation and Engagement at Queen’s said:

“One of the main goals of TED is to provide a platform for thinkers and visionaries, so that society can gain a better understanding of its biggest challenges, and help create a better future. This links closely to Queen’s University's Social Charter, a Charter which underpins our commitment to translating ideas, teaching, research and professional expertise into life-changing action.

“These TEDx talks will offer a glimpse of the innovation, discovery and creativity of our staff, students and alumni and of the very many ways in which we are giving back to society. 

“We are delighted to welcome our new corporate partner, Aflac Northern Ireland, for the University’s second, digital TEDxQueensUniversityBelfast event. The previous digital event in June 2020 was very successful, and we look forward to building on this with our next event.” 

Keith Farley, Managing Director of Aflac Northern Ireland commented:

“We are thrilled to sponsor this event and work alongside TEDx and Queen’s University Belfast.

“Giving back is a huge part of our corporate ethos so it made sense to us as we move forward and grow our company here in Northern Ireland. We are excited to hear from the talented speakers and look forward to the event.”

TED is an organisation that aims to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of subjects, to foster learning, inspiration and wonder – and provoke conversations that matter.

Events tagged as TEDx are independently organised but licensed by TED that share ideas in communities around the world.

For more information about TEDxQueensUniversityBelfast, please visit: https://www.qub.ac.uk/public-engagement/TEDxQueensUniversityBelfast/

Media enquiries to Zara McBrearty at Queen's Communications Office.

Pictured (front row, left to right) are Queen’s students and TEDxQueensUniversityBelfast speakers, Georgia Stewart and Fina Wurm, who are joined by (back row, left to right) corporate partner Aflac Northern Ireland Managing Director, Keith Farley, and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation and Engagement at Queen's, Professor Richard English.

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