This October marks Black History Month in the UK. Inclusivity is one of our core values at Queen Mary, and our diversity of cultures and backgrounds is key to the vibrancy of our community and to the knowledge and ideas that we are able to generate and pass on.

There's plenty going on at Queen Mary that you can get involved with to mark the occasion and engage with the richness of black, African and Caribbean arts, culture and history. The Students' Union is holding a number of events in collaboration with student societies, and there is also a variety of other events and activities taking place across campus involving staff and students.

Dr Philippa Lloyd appointed as our new Vice-Principal (Policy and Strategic Partnerships)

Queen Mary in the Media is a selection of our stories featured in the national and international media. To submit a story or subscribe to daily updates, email press@qmul.ac.uk.

London surgeons' breakthrough can save stab victims from bleeding to death

In pursuit of parity: degree apprenticeships expand into the Russell Group

The Chevening experience

The views expressed in the articles do not reflect those of Queen Mary University of London as an organisation.

Undergraduate Scholarships 2018/19

Scholarships and bursaries are available to undergraduate students who started a course in September 2018 and who live 
permanently in specified London boroughs. You can check the criteria and download an application form online. The closing date is Friday 2 November.

Queen Mary Music Scholarship 2018/19

Applications are open to all Queen Mary students for awards of £350 to help meet the cost of instrumental or vocal tuition during the academic year. More information and an application form is available online. The closing date is Friday 19 October.

World Mental Health Day activities

World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October each year, and this year's theme is 'Young people and mental health in a changing world'. We are organising a variety of free activities on Wednesday 10, Thursday 11 and Friday 12 October, including an interactive wellbeing stall, a conversation booth, a book display and creative workshop. Find out more.

Wellness Week 

The Students' Union is hosting its first Wellness Week of the year all this week at Queen Mary. Take a look at the website to find out about the activities on offer to improve your overall wellbeing or find the right help if you are experiencing difficulties.

We caught up with Rhoda Manu, President of the Pan-African Society, to find out more about the events that they will be holding during Black History Month and beyond, why the society was founded and how you can get involved.

Improving your experience at Queen Mary

We've installed 120 new lockers in the Bancroft Building at the Mile End campus primarily intended for use by commuting students to leave belongings while on campus, and launched an ongoing project to increase the amount of study space across our campuses and make the University a better place for you to work and socialise. Take a look at some of the other ways we have responded to your feedback.

Have your say on plans to open up access from the Mile End campus to Meath Gardens, Mile End Park and Roman Road

As part of ongoing work to improve spaces and facilities on campus, we're inviting you to have your say on this proposed development, which would open up access from the back of the Mile End campus to Meath Gardens, Mile End Park and the shops and businesses of Roman Road.

Keep yourself and your belongings safe

East London is generally a great and safe place to study and socialise in, but it's always sensible to take precautions to minimise risk to your personal safety and belongings. Advice on how to keep your valuables safe can be found on My.QMUL.

Queen Mary International Week – call for submissions

The organising team are keen to represent as many cultures, communities and languages as possible. To propose a session or for further details, contact int-studentexperience@qmul.ac.uk by tomorrow, Wednesday 10 October.

Vote now for your student representatives

Voting is now open until 4pm on Thursday 11 October for First Year Representatives, Postgraduate Taught Representatives, Postgraduate Research Representatives, National Union of Students (NUS) Delegates and Course Representatives. Have your say.

Planned electrical works affecting the Mile End campus – Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October

As part of these works, there will be a planned power shutdown of the Engineering Building, Graduate Centre, Great Hall and Queens’ Building, and there will be no access to these buildings during this time. Find out more.

Looking for great pay, free career advice and a way to develop your skills? Apply by 10 October!

We're looking for 40 student callers to help with our fundraising campaign this November. Pay is £10.43 an hour (plus holiday pay) and you'll be required for three or four shifts a week during weekday evenings and weekends in November. You'll get the 
chance to talk with former students who have done great things with their careers while gaining valuable skills and raising money for fellow students. Full training will be provided on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October. Find out more and apply by midnight, Wednesday 10 October. You will be asked to record a short voicemail message as part of your application.

Part-time weekend work opportunity

Spotlight, a creative arts youth service offering free, state-of-the-art sound, film, design, art and broadcasting facilities, is looking for two part-time front-of-house team members. Apply online.

Come along to the Go Abroad Fair on Wednesday 17 October to find out about opportunities to go abroad during your degree, including programmes inside and outside of Europe and summer programmes. You'll be able to talk to staff as well as Queen Mary students about their time abroad. Students from partner institutions will also be available to answer any questions you have about their university or country. Register now.

Present your research at an academic conference

Applications are now open for undergraduate students to attend the British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR) in Cardiff on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 April 2019. BCUR is a national academic conference where over 400 undergraduate students present their work, either in the form of a research poster or presentation. Applications close on Sunday 11 November, and travel, accommodation and conference tickets will be organised and funded by Queen Mary. Find out more.

Last chance to nominate yourself or a friend for the Community Engagement Awards 2018

The Community Engagement Awards celebrate Queen Mary's connections to our local community and wider society. The four award categories are: 'Individual Award for Community Engagement', 'Community Partnership Award', 'Community Engagement Award – UK project', and 'Engaging International Communities Award'. The deadline for nominations is Monday 15 October. Find out more.

Making listening visible – experiences from care

How do we make places for students at university? In this event, we ask care-experienced young people and care leaver students to share their experiences of higher education. Come along to listen to what they have told us and identify what we need to change. Register now.

Take part in the Bali Democracy Students Conference 2018 – flights and accommodation provided

The Indonesian Embassy in London is now recruiting students to participate in the Bali Democracy Students Conference taking place in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 December. 
Local transport and accommodation during the conference will be covered and roundtrip airfares from the UK to Jakarta will be provided. More information, including how to apply, is available on My.QMUL.

Battle of Ideas – special student offer

There are a number of discounted 'Student Champion' weekend tickets available for London's festival of ideas on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October. A team from Queen Mary will be featuring in the Animal Sentience Debate. There will also be a number of notable speakers covering topics from 'feminism after #MeToo', 'battle for the economy', and 'identity wars: race and society'.
Register now.

Join a club or society and try something new

It's not too late to join a club or society – you can join at any point during your time at Queen Mary, so don't worry if you didn't make it to the Welcome Fair. Find out how to get involved. You can also take part in one-off and 'turn up and play' events that don't require membership or long-term committment through the Students' Union's Try Something New programme.

Discounted Qmotion gym membership still available

You can still purchase your discounted Qmotion gym membership to make use of the excellent on-campus facilties, get a free personalised training programme and get access to over 25 weekly group exercise classes, all with no minimum contract commitment. All staff are well trained and receive the London Living Wage, and are available to provide personalised assistance when you need it. Find out more.

Sign up for the inaugural Queen Mary 'Run for fun' this November

You're invited to run, walk or stroll 5k around Mile End Park on Saturday 17 November. This is an opportunity for staff and students to get together, do something active and have some fun. There'll be celebrations after the event. It's free to take part but spaces are limited, so sign up now.

Non-religious meditation for relaxation

The Chaplaincy is hosting non-religious meditation sessions every Monday from 1.30-2pm in St Benet's Chapel at the Mile End campus. No experience is necessary and the sessions are free of charge with no booking required. Come along and relax while meditating with others.

City of London Sinfonia: Goldberg variations - Bach and the cosmos – Wednesday 10 October, 7.30-9pm

Battle of Ideas – Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October

Non-religious meditation for relaxation – Monday 15 October, 1.30-2pm

Making listening visible – experiences from care – Wednesday 17 October, 5-6.30pm

Imperial War Museums Short Film Festival 2018 – Thursday 25 - Monday 29 October

School of English and Drama: Frankenreads x QMUL – celebrating 200 years of Frankenstein on Halloween – Wednesday 31 October, 5-9pm

Queen Mary 5k – Saturday 17 November, 9am

Experience Japan Exhibition 2018: introducing study and research opportunities in Japan – Saturday 17 November, noon-6pm

Bali Democracy Students Conference 2018 – Thursday 6 and Friday 7 December