Come and celebrate the diversity of all our students and staff and the richness of our cultures at the inaugural Queen Mary International Festival, taking place next week from Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 November.

There will be a vibrant programme of themed events taking place across the Mile End campus, including talks on topics ranging from studying abroad to Queen Mary's international research, as well as cultural events and activties such as language taster sessions, film screenings and traditional art workshops.

There will also be performances from the Confucius Institute and student societies in the Octagon, with live music, cultural displays and much more! Everyone is welcome and all events are free to attend.

Professor Chris Griffiths from the Blizard Institute led a research team who discovered that pollution from vehicles is stunting the growth of children's lungs.

A study by researchers from Queen Mary and the University of Cambridge has revealed that there is significant uncertainty as to how European data protection rules apply to blockchain technology, and private blockchains could be the answer.

Professor Stephen Duffy from the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine is the senior author of a study led by Queen Mary that shows women who take part in breast screening have a significantly greater benefit from treatments than those who are not screened.

Beware of tax refund phishing campaign targeting students
There have been reports of a number of tax scams targeting university students across the country. HMRC have reported that scammers are targeting students with fake tax refunds in an effort to steal money and personal details. HMRC will never inform you about tax refunds by email, text or voicemail. Please take extra care when opening emails from unknown sources or from a known source but with unknown/suspicious content. Find out how to protect your data and stay safe online.

Estranged Students Solidarity Week, 26-30 November
Queen Mary has taken a pledge with the charity Standalone to support our estranged students – those who either don't have family or are not in contact with them – meaning that there is lots of support available to help you get the funding you are eligible for, to help you find accommodation, and to support you academically and emotionally. If you are in the process of separating from your family, we can support you through the transition to living independently and try to help you minimise the impact on your studies. Find out more.

Financial Assistance Fund
If you are in financial need, find out more about the Queen Mary Financial Assistance Fund, including who can apply, how to apply and how your application will be assessed.

Strategies for study and the ‘Can’t study’ workshop
The Advice and Counselling Service provide practical strategies for overcoming ‘study block’ and other issues, and invite you to their ‘Can’t study’ workshops if you feel you need more help. Find out more.

Open forum and panel discussion on sexual harassment
All staff and students are invited to a panel discussion and open forum, organised by the Queen Mary branch of the University and College Union (QMUCU), to discuss what the University should be aiming for in terms of best practice in preventing and dealing with sexual harassment. Panel members include QMUCU, QM Unison, the Students’ Union, UK-based research and lobby organisation 1752 Group and members of University management. The event will take place from 1-2pm on Wednesday 28 November in 1.13A Bancroft Building, Mile End.

Annual Student Meeting
The Students’ Union’s Annual Student Meeting will taking place on Tuesday 4 December. Come along to submit, debate and vote on motions you think will improve the experience of all students at Queen Mary.

Free cycle maintenance sessions and MET Police security marking
Bike maintenance and security events will take place between 10am and 3pm on both Thursday 22 November in Library Square, Mile End and Monday 10 December in the Blizard Mews, Whitechapel. For more information, please email sustainability@qmul.ac.uk.

Google event: how innovation is changing business
Join Craig Fenton, Director of Strategy and Operations at Google, and the Business and Enterprise Society on Wednesday 5 December, ArtsTwo Lecture Theatre, Mile End campus for a panel discussion on how consumer behaviour has changed with the advances in digital assistance, and what this means for businesses. There will also be a chance for questions and networking.

Apply for a Daiwa Scholarship by Thursday 6 December
The Daiwa Scholarship is a unique 19-month programme of Japanese language study, work placement and homestay in Japan, following a month of Japanese tuition in the UK. Candidates should be UK citizens who are due to graduate by August 2019.

Nominations for Student Enterprise Awards open
Presented across three awards, the Student Enterprise Category of the Engagement and Enterprise Awards recognises the entrepreneurial achievements and innovation of students and recent graduates. The deadline for nominations is Monday 10 December. Nominate now.

This Girl Can Week
This Girl Can is a nationwide campaign to get women and girls moving, regardless of ability. This week, the Students’ Union is putting women in the limelight for a dedicated This Girl Can Week with a fantastic timetable of events!

Vintage clothes swap
The Queen Mary Fashion Society and Students’ Union Sustainability Officer Josie Holden are organising a clothes swap event tomorrow, Wednesday 21 November in Blomeley Rooms 1 and 2 of the Students’ Union Hub, Mile End campus. Donate clothes for tokens or buy tokens on the door to spend on other items and help protect the environment!

Taming corruption: the way forward for African Economic Development
Mr Ibrahim Magu, West Africa Anti-corruption Chairman and Chairman of the Nigeria Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, will be joining the School of Business and Management’s Centre for African Research this Friday, 23 November to deliver a lecture as part of a continuation of Black History Month on this topic.

London Bound events season, part of Being Human
Being Human, a national festival promoting public engagement with humanities research, runs until this Saturday, 24 November. Learn about the housing cooperative, one of the best-kept secrets of social housing in London, or join Queen Mary researchers and historians at the Ragged School Museum to learn how charities in Victorian London offered hope and opportunity to Victorian children.

Scholarships for summer school in Brazil
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil are offering one scholarship and one partial scholarship to two Queen Mary students to participate on their summer school in Brazilian Studies from Monday 15 to Friday 26 July.

Do you have a tattoo that needs fixing?
E4 Tattoo Fixers is casting for a brand new series and are looking for the country’s most shocking, outrageous and embarrassing tattoos to fix. They would also like to hear from people who have a fun, unique or interesting reason to get a new tattoo. Apply now.

This November, the Students’ Union is seeking to challenge stereotypes about Islam and Muslims as part of their annual Islamophobia Awareness Month. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate our Muslim staff and students.

Check out the events coming up this week and beyond involving academics and our student societies: www.qmsu.org/iam

As part of the campaign, the Students’ Union are asking Muslim students to share their experiences to be compiled in a video. If you would like to take part, please fill in this form.