Queen’s showcases pioneering research at Balmoral Show 2026
Queen University’s interactive exhibition stand at this year’s Balmoral Show showcases innovative research addressing key issues affecting everyone in areas including health, tech and community.
The exhibition stand, hosted by Queen’s academics and researchers, highlights some of the key research taking place across the university to address pressing issues from efforts to tackle the spread of the bluetongue virus to how our diets can reduce the risk of dementia.
The exhibition stand has been carefully designed to encourage interaction with all ages to raise awareness and understanding of a range of issues including a visual interactive mapping project that illustrates the link between the colourless, odourless radioactive gas radon and cancer.
A student-led research initiative, Vibrotect, displays a wristband developed to alert workers when they are at risk of developing irreversible damage from handheld tools.
Queen’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said: “The annual Balmoral Show is one of Northern Ireland’s most significant agri-food events and provides an invaluable opportunity for Queen’s to connect directly with the wider public. It is a chance to showcase the outstanding research, innovation and expertise taking place across our University, while highlighting the real-world impact of our work on society.
“Across the four days of the show, our academics, staff and students engage with thousands of visitors, helping to spark conversations around some of today’s most pressing challenges. It provides a chance to showcase the research, innovation and expertise taking place across our University, while highlighting the real-world impact of our work on society.”
Other exhibitions by Queen’s include the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems – a major all-island research project looking at how households buy, prepare and eat food, with the findings being used to feed into health policy making.
Across the four days of the Balmoral Show, Queen’s academics and students will be on site to engage with the public, industry, decision-makers and politicians.
The Balmoral Show takes place from Wednesday 13 May until Saturday 16 May at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn from 9am to 5pm daily.