Professor Joanne Hughes is head of Department and Director of the Centre for Shared Education at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University, Belfast. She also holds a UNESCO Chair in Shared Education for Peace Building and Social Justice in Education. Her main research interests are in the role of education in divided societies, and inter-group relations in conflict and post-conflict societies. In recent years she has led several qualitative and quantitative research projects on the implementation of the shared education model in Northern Ireland, and worked with academics and educational stakeholders in regions across the world to explore the potential of the model for other transitioning and conflict affected societies. She has advised Government Officials and Ministers nationally and internationally on the development of policies and interventions to promote good relations in schools. In 2019, her work along with that of colleagues was awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize by the UK Royal Anniversary Trust. In 2022 she received an MBE for services to education and community in Northern Ireland.