Prof Margaret Topping

Margaret Topping is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at Queen’s University Belfast. She is also Professor of French and Intercultural Communication, and her current research is centred on the debates surrounding travel, migration and mobility, the ethics and aesthetics of cross-cultural communication and representation, and the public value of the arts and humanities. Her forthcoming book, The Humanities Pandemic: Towards an Essential Services Approach argues for the importance of the Humanities in tackling global challenges such as Covid.

Professor Topping also takes a lead role in a number of social innovation initiatives both within Queen’s University and in the wider community. She is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Turnaround Project, a charity providing transitional employment opportunities for people coming out of the justice system. She is also involved with a range of projects with cross-community youth organisations in Belfast creating opportunities for young people to achieve their potential.