The Queen’s University Student Union (SU) Awards 2025 celebrated the remarkable contributions of students and societies, with the School of Law proudly represented by finalists Chloe Hanna, Eva Livadaris, Aisling Cannon, Jia Jun Tan, the European Law Student Society, the Hiking Club (led by Law Senior Status student Jack Levelt), Women in Law, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, and the Walkie Talkie Girlies society. Among these, Chloe Hanna, Eva Livadaris, Aisling Cannon, and the Walkie Talkie Girlies society emerged as winners, earning well-deserved recognition for their impactful work at the prestigious awards ceremony held last week.

Chloe Hanna: Fundraising Champion for Motor Neurone Disease

Chloe Hanna, a PhD student at the School of Law, received a certificate of recognition for Individual Student Achievement for her exceptional fundraising efforts for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. Her dedication to raising awareness and funds for MND is deeply personal, driven by the loss of her grandmother, Evelyn, to the disease during Chloe’s Master’s degree at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).

Upon accepting the award, Chloe shared:
"It was an incredible honour to receive an Individual Student Achievement Award at the 2025 Queen's SU Awards. Fundraising for the Motor Neurone Disease Association is something deeply personal to me, having lost my Nanny Evelyn to the disease whilst studying my Master’s degree at QUB – only ten weeks after her diagnosis. Since then, I have made it my mission to do all I can to spread awareness about MND and raise funds to help find a cure, so hopefully others do not have to lose a loved one to this cruel disease in the future. I am so grateful to have these efforts recognised!"

The School of Law extends heartfelt congratulations to Chloe for her inspiring commitment and well-deserved recognition.

Eva Livadaris: Resilience and Community Impact

Eva Livadaris, a second-year law student and dedicated Peer Mentor, was honored with an Individual Student Achievement Award. Eva’s journey of resilience, supported by her community, has seen her thrive in roles such as peer mentor, Director for ELSA Belfast, a QUB social media rep and BARBRI Ambassador. Her award reflects her ability to overcome personal challenges, including the loss of her best friend, and make a meaningful impact at Queen’s.

Eva shared:
"Winning this award is incredibly humbling, but more than anything, it’s a testament to the power of resilience and the support of those around us. Losing my best friend was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced, but through the kindness and encouragement of my community, I pushed forward. This award proves that dark times don’t define us. I want to thank Queen’s University Belfast for providing me with so many opportunities to be active in the community, from peer mentoring to leading societies and so much more. Being able to contribute in these ways has shaped my journey, and receiving this award means the world to me. It represents not just my efforts, but the incredible people who have supported me along the way."

The School of Law celebrates Eva’s achievements and her inspiring contributions to the university community.

Aisling Cannon: Dedication to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Aisling Cannon, a third-year law student and co-founder of the Walkie Talkie Girlies society, received an Individual Student Achievement Award to recognise her extraordinary personal dedication to ending violence against women and girls. As one of the leaders of Project Pink and an activist working with Belfast City Council, the PSNI, and the Northern Ireland Executive, Aisling has driven tangible impact across the region through her lobbying and leadership efforts.

Reflecting on the award, Aisling shared:
“I am thrilled to receive this incredible recognition and to be acknowledged for work that I care so deeply about. I am also so grateful for the amazing WTG Committee, the Law School, and our members, for their overwhelming and continued support."

The School of Law applauds Aisling for her relentless commitment to this critical cause and her well-earned recognition.

Tan Jia Jun: Outstanding Community Contribution

Jia Jun Tan, a law student, was awarded an Individual Achievement Award for his wonderful personal contribution to the Queen’s community. His involvement as a Prestige Volunteer, SU Councillor, Handy Helper, Pantry volunteer, and a key member of the Asian Law Students’ Association Malaysia has significantly enriched the university experience for his peers.

Jia shared:
"As I approach the end of my journey at Queen's University Belfast - School of Law, I had the privilege of being awarded the Individual Achievement Award that recognised my personal contribution to the Queen’s community. First of all, I would like to express my heartful thanks to Queen's Students' Union for organizing the SU Award 2025 and the recognition. I am incredibly grateful to Lorraine Meneilly for the volunteering opportunities at SU Volunteer, Damien Corridan for assisting through my awarding journey as a SU Councillor and Jonny Baxter for guiding me during my role as a Handy Helper. Special thanks also to my peers from the SU Operations for their assistance and unwavering teamwork. This award has reaffirmed my passion to contribute to the community and society."

The School of Law commends Jia for his dedication and impactful contributions to the Queen’s community.

Walkie Talkie Girlies: Best Student-Led Activity for Project Pink

The Walkie Talkie Girlies, a society organised by third-year law students Aisling Cannon (Chairperson) and Shauna McKey (Vice Chairperson), won the Best Student-Led Activity award for their impactful Project Pink initiative. Held in November 2024, Project Pink was a powerful demonstration against violence towards women and girls, attracting over 500 attendees, including the Lord Mayor, all dressed in pink. The event, the society’s largest walk to date, successfully lobbied Belfast City Council to light City Hall in pink, despite initial refusal. The committee coordinated with the Parades Commission, PSNI, and over 20 QUB societies, while also securing national media coverage through BBC to raise awareness for the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Campaign.

Project Pink’s impact extended beyond the event, inspiring a safety app partnership and expansion to other universities. Now in its second year, the Walkie Talkie Girlies society has grown into one of the largest on campus, showcasing the leadership and dedication of its founders and members.

Aisling Cannon, Co-Founder and Chairperson, said:
“We are deeply honoured to accept this award for Project Pink and our work supporting a campaign that means so much to us and the wider community. This recognition reflects the passion, resilience, and teamwork that went into delivering the event and we are so grateful for all of the support received. We’re especially thankful for the overwhelming support from the Law School. Project Pink has been a shining moment for the society and we hope to continue our work in this area indefinitely.”

Shauna McKey, Vice Chairperson, added:
"We are so grateful for the award we received on Thursday evening for Project Pink. It was about bringing people together to stand together against violence against women and girls. We are also hugely grateful for the continued help and support from the School of Law for everything they do for Walkie Talkie Girlies! Thank you again to everyone involved."

Celebrating Other School of Law Finalists

The School of Law is also proud to recognise several other finalists from the law community who were nominated for their outstanding contributions at the SU Awards 2025. While they did not take home awards, their dedication and impact are equally commendable:

• European Law Student Society: Finalists in the Best New Club or Society category, recognized for their innovative efforts in fostering engagement with European law among students.
• Hiking Club, led by Jack Levelt, a Law Senior Status student: Finalists in the Best New Club or Society category, celebrated for creating an inclusive and active community for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Women in Law: Finalists in the Best Student-Led Activity category for their Women in Law Network, which empowers and supports women pursuing careers in the legal field.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Society: Finalists in the Medium Society of the Year category, acknowledged for their work in promoting skills and awareness in alternative dispute resolution.
• Walkie Talkie Girlies Society: In addition to their win, they were also finalists in the Large Society of the Year category, reflecting their significant growth and influence on campus.

A Proud Moment for the School of Law

Head of School, Professor Joan Loughrey, commented:
"I am so proud of our fantastic students who have made such a difference to the life of the School, the University and the wider community, and to the experiences of their fellow students. I want to thank all of them for what they have done. It is a real joy to see their achievements—the winners and all the nominated. This recognition was tremendously well deserved and I am really delighted for them. They should all be very proud of what they have contributed."

Student Experience Co-Ordinator, Dr Norah Burns, had this to add:
"As Student Experience Co-Ordinator in the Law School it has been a privilege to support a wonderful group of students over the past three years on projects and initiatives that have positively impacted the Law School and QUB student communities. Huge congratulations to the three individual award winners, who have each shown significant courage and determination in their pursuit to support others in their communities both inside and outside Queens. I have strongly believed in the work of the Walkie Talkie Girlies since they first came to me with their idea for the society, I am proud of the work they continue to do to spotlight the issue of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland through their award winning Project Pink. Congratulations also to the shortlisted societies with a Law School connection: European Law Student Society, Hiking Club, Women in Law and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society."

For more details on the SU Awards 2025, visit Queen's SU Awards.