## **Hans Sloane Memorial Trust** The Trustees of the Hans Sloane Memorial Trust are pleased to submit the Annual report for the period 31[st] January 2023 – 31[st] January 2024. This is our first annual report. **The Purpose of the Trust** is for the Advancement of Science in Northern Ireland by promoting excellence in the study of Chemistry, Physics and Biology in schools. In addition, to promote social and cultural studies within the fields associated with the work of Sir Hans Sloane, in whose name the Trust was founded in 1962. Sir Hans Sloane was born in Killyleagh, Co Down in 1665. Following schooling in England he studied medicine in London and Paris and Montpellier. During his early career he travelled to Jamaica and worked as a doctor on plantations. It was during this time he began to amass the enormous collections which would eventually become the foundation of the British Museum, Natural History Museum and the British Library. On return from the Caribbean, Hans Sloane married Elizabeth Langley Rose, heiress to sugar plantations in Jamaica worked by enslaved people and, therefore, became the owner of slaves. The links between Hans Sloane and slavery cannot be ignored. Our Trustees followed very closely how the British Museum addressed this issue. Sponsors, schools and supporters indicated that they would no longer wish to be associated with the Hans Sloane Memorial Trust unless we changed our name. It was clear that if we were to continue with the Purpose and Public Beneft of the Trust, this would be necessary. Following consultation with our stakeholders, the name ‘Ulster Scientists Trust’ was decided. A change of name request was submitted to the Charity Commission Northern Ireland. This is ongoing. **For the purposes of the remainder of this report, the ‘Hans Sloane Memorial Trust’ will be referred to as ‘Ulster Scientists Trust’** ## **Public Benefit** The Ulster Scientists Trust rewards excellence in science of the top three candidates in combined results in examinations in Northern Ireland. Prizewinning students are presented with a certificate and cheque at a ceremony in the Ulster Museum, Belfast. As special measures were in place for the examinations, the awards for achievement in the 2022 examinations were the first to take place since Covid. As policies and procedures of the examination boards and the schools had changed since the pandemic, Trustees had to spend considerable time and research to re-establish contacts. School principals were invited to submit nominations to the Trust and following verification by the Examination Board, the three top candidates in combined ‘A’ level Chemistry, Physics and Biology examinations were identified. The awards ceremony for the 2022 examinations took place in the Ulster Museum, Belfast at 12 noon on Thursday 4[th] January 2024. 1[st] prize of a certificate and cheque for £350 was awarded to a pupil of Belfast Royal Academy, now studying Medicine at Cambridge University. 2[nd] Prize of a certificate and cheque for £300 was awarded to a pupil of Ballymena Academy now studying Finance at Queen’s University, Belfast. 3[rd] Prize of a certificate and cheque for £250 was awarded to a pupil of Belfast Royal Academy now studying Medicine at Trinity College, Dublin. Mr Gordon Milligan OBE, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of National Museums Northern Ireland welcomed the Prizewinners, Principals, Teachers, Parents and invited guests to the ceremony. Dr Michael Callender, Trustee, Ulster Scientists Trust gave a short address on the work of Sir Hans Sloane (a condition of our constitution which, unlike our name, cannot be changed.) Dr Callender acknowledged the role of Sir Hans Slone in the slave trade and explained the need for the change of the name of the Trust. In addition, Dr Callender extended the recognition of Hans Sloanes’s contribution to science and museums to include the work of other famous Ulster Scientists. The guest speaker, Dr Helen M Barber-James PhD MRSSA, Senior Curator of Sciences, National Museums Northern Ireland, gave a very informative and enlightening lecture entitled ‘Working with Nature’s Wonders **-** The career of a Museums Natural Sciences Curator’ Ms Hannah Crowdy invited Dr Helen Barber-James to read the citations and present the prizes. Dr Jane Wilde, Trustee concluded the ceremony including our thanks for the much- valued support of National Museums Northern Ireland and of the Friends of the Ulster Museum. Guests were invited to stay for a light lunch in the Belfast Room of the Ulster Museum. The Trustees of the Ulster Scientists Trust are satisfied that the Purposes and the Public Benefits of the Trust have been fulfilled according to the regulations of the Charity Commission Northern Ireland.