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Sustainability Talks and Conversations

Reach'24 Festival
REACH '24 – NEW FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND SUSTAINABILITY AT QUEEN'S, 18–20 APRIL 2024

Queen's University in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) is launching Reach '24, a new arts and sustainability festival.

The first year of the festival will showcase a range of projects, practice-based work and community engagement projects from across Ireland. The programme also features film screenings, workshops and talks on policy, practice and community engagement in the arts and sustainability.

A full programme is available below. Further information, including how to register, can be found via this link. The festival is open to the public. 

REACH '24 Connecting with/as Nature Workshop

As part of the Reach’24 Festival, Dan Shipsides and Dr Amanda Slevin are hosting Connecting with/as Nature in Botanic Park.

No experience or imagined 'talent' are needed for this ‘in the field’ drawing workshop. In fact, existing 'artistry' might be a hinderance. Based on observation, spatial orientation, structural embodiment and being present, rather than picture making, Dan will tutor you to help you engage with a process of drawing that aims to create 'drawing as' rather than 'drawing of' nature - reality not representation. 

Further information on the workshop, including how to register, can be found here

 

REACH '24 Film Festival

In collaboration with Reach’24, Queen’s Film Theatre is hosting ‘Rising Tides’ a screening of documentaries exploring the impact of rising sea levels on vulnerable communities.

'Rising Tides' will screen on Friday 19th April at 6.20pm in Queen's Film Theatre, followed by a panel discussion. 

You can access tickets via the Queen’s Film Theatre Website. Individuals who register for the Reach’24 events on Friday 19th April are entitled to the ‘Reach 24’ ticket type with a discount applied. Please present your Reach’24 booking confirmation at box office.

 

Past Sustainability Events

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE

Queen’s University Belfast held its first Sustainable Construction Conference – a half-day event designed to deepen knowledge of reducing carbon in buildings.

Organised in partnership with South West College, Belfast City Council, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and HOK, the conference, which was open to all those involved in the design, construction and operation of the built environment, took place in the University’s historic Riddel Hall.

The conference entitled ‘‘Carbon Reduction in Buildings - a ‘how to’ for designers, owners & users’, brings together industry experts who have real / tangible knowledge of driving innovation & policy change to assist in the challenge of reducing carbon in buildings.

Speakers included:

  • Debbie Caldwell, Climate Commissioner, Belfast City Council 
  • Dr Joe Jack Williams, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios 
  • Una Barrett, KTP Associate, Queen’s  
  • Gary Clark, Principle Lead for Science and Technology, HOK

For further information on the event please click here. A recording of the speakers and panel event is located below. 

Student Summit

Queen's University's Sustainability Team hosted a Student Summit in January 2024.

Queen’s University annual Student Sustainability Summit took place on Tuesday 30 January.

This was a great opportunity to discuss key sustainability concerns that students have around education, travel, food and banking with Queen’s University staff, and other guest speakers responding to their queries.

Annual Sustainability Lecture: Sir Jonathon Porritt

Queen's Annual Sustainability Lecture took place on Thursday 19 October with Sir Jonathon Porritt.

The lecture was titled ‘The Climate Crisis : Why we need to dig deeper’. 

COP28 at Queen's University: 30 November to 12 December
Connecting Belfast: Transforming Travel

6 December 2023

As part of a series of COP28 events, the Sustainability Team hosted a  panel discussion in December 2023 within the Crescent Arts Centre  with a number of expert panellists discussing the topic 'Connecting Belfast: Transforming Travel'.

Panel members include representatives from the Alliance Party, Federation of Small Businesses, Queen's University Belfast, Sustrans, Translink and Department for Infrastructure.