Register for our next SESN and NEON meetings in February! 18 Dec 2019
We currently have two events open for bookings, for the next meetings of our staff and Education Officers' networks, both taking place during February. See the event booking pages for further details and to register to attend.... Student Engagement Staff Network… Read More
Interview with Billy Docherty, The Open University 12 Dec 2019
In this interview, we talk to Billy Docherty, a student of psychology at The Open University. Although based in Scotland, he is active at a UK level within the Open University Students’ Association – he is a Faculty Association Representative… Read More
Interview with Leila Adair and Toby Reid, pupils at Harlaw Academy 11 Nov 2019
In this interview, we talk to Leila Adair and Toby Reid, S3 pupils and Young Leaders of Learning at Harlaw Academy in Aberdeen. Young Leaders of Learning (YLL) is a programme developed by Education Scotland to equip pupils to engage… Read More
Launch of our new Education Officers' Network & our renamed SE Staff Network! 08 Oct 2019
We recently launched our National Education Officers' Network (NEON), the first meeting of which took place on Thursday 14th November; and our Student Engagement Staff Network (the new name for the ARC Network) took place on Tuesday 19th November! Read on for details of… Read More
New chairs of sparqs' College and University Advisory Groups 02 Oct 2019
We are delighted to announce the appointments of new chairs for two key bodies within sparqs’ governance structure. Roddy Henry, Depute Principal (Planning and Student Experience) at Inverness College UHI, and Prof Tina Harrison, Assistant Principal (Academic Standards and Quality… Read More
Interview with Rob McDermott, Forth Valley College 30 Sep 2019
In this interview, we talk to Rob McDermott, Quality Manager at Forth Valley College. Initially graduating from Bell College of Technology with an HND in Biological Sciences, he later returned to study as a mature student, graduating from Stirling University… Read More
Welcome to our new Development Consultants! 30 Aug 2019
We are delighted to welcome two new Development Consultants to the sparqs team, Megan Brown and Justin Walker. Between them they bring a great balance of both experience and knowledge, which will complement the existing strengths of our team. Megan joins… Read More
Interview with Maya Sutherland, Stellenbosch University, South Africa 28 Aug 2019
In this interview, we talk to Maya Sutherland, from the Centre for Academic Planning & Quality Assurance at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Maya Sutherland manages the Quality Assurance/Evaluation process at Stellenbosch University, of all academic departments and support services divisions. She… Read More
sparqs' 2019-20 Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 01 Aug 2019
Bookings are now open for sparqs Course Rep Training during 2019-20 ....for delivery from week beginning Monday 16th September 2019 onwards. All the information you need is on our main CRT webpage. Please read the booking guidance before arranging your sessions and requesting dates. We have a range of Course Rep Training… Read More
Save the date for the first ARC Network meeting of 2019-20! 29 Jul 2019
Save the date for the first Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network meeting of 2019-20.... Tuesday 19th November 2019, venue TBC. The network brings together academic representation and student engagement staff from universities, colleges and students’ associations across Scotland to learn, share and develop in their… Read More
Interview with Kate Walsh, Student Voice Australia 26 Jul 2019
In this interview, we talk to Kate Walsh, Project Manager of Student Voice Australia, a one-year pilot initiative involving ten Australian institutions who have been exploring student engagement in institutional decision-making and governance. Prior to taking up this role she… Read More
That's Quality! Colleges 2019 is still open for bookings! 15 Jul 2019
If you've still to register for our annual training event, That’s Quality! Colleges 2019, there's still time to book your place! The two-day residential event is taking place on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th of August at West Park Conference Centre in Dundee. The event… Read More
Our recruitment process has now closed 27 Jun 2019
Our Development Consultant recruitment has now closed, as of 9am on Monday 29th July. This page is available for reference only, until the recruitment process is complete.. We are seeking two enthusiastic and dedicated people to deliver a range of activities including… Read More
Interview with Lucy Gault, Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union 26 Jun 2019
In this interview, we talk to Lucy Gault, Vice President Education with Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union, who is nearing the end of her second sabbatical year. Prior to her posts, she undertook a degree in English Literature and Sociology,… Read More
That's Quality! Universities 2019 is still open for bookings! 03 Jun 2019
There's still time to register for our annual training event, That’s Quality! Universities 2019! The two-day residential event is taking place on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th of July at West Park Conference Centre in Dundee. The event is for university student officers with… Read More
Interview with Professor Norman Sharp OBE, former Chair of sparqs' Trustee Board 30 May 2019
In this interview, we talk to Professor Norman Sharp OBE, who stepped down at the sparqs’ 2019 conference as chair of our Trustees (pictured right, receiving an Award at #sparqs19 to thank him and mark his invaluable contribution to sparqs… Read More
sparqs' 2019-20 Associate Trainer recruitment is now closed 29 May 2019
Please note that applications for our 2019-20 Associate Trainer team have now closed. This page is available for reference until the recruitment process is complete.. Calling all course reps and apprentice reps! ... Do you have experience as a course rep or apprentice… Read More
Interview with Sorcha Kirker, Highlands and Islands Students' Association 25 Apr 2019
In this interview, we talk to Sorcha Kirker, Vice-President (Higher Education) of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA). Previously she was the Depute President for Orkney College, and was a student of archaeology (completing her undergraduate degree with UHI,… Read More
Thank you to everyone who attended the sparqs' conference! 29 Mar 2019
.A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the sparqs' Conference on Thursday 28th March 2019, at Surgeons' Hall in Edinburgh! The day was a great success, with a fantastic turnout of around 200 delegates from Scotland and all over the… Read More
Congratulations to all our 2019 Award winners and runners-up! 29 Mar 2019
We were delighted to hold the third sparqs' Student Engagement Awards at the end of our conference on Thursday 28th March 2019! In a fantastic end to the day, the Awards recognised and celebrated good practice across Scottish colleges and universities. Congratulations to all the Award… Read More
Interview with Mark Charters, Glasgow School of Art 25 Mar 2019
In this interview, we talk to Mark Charters, Academic Development Coordinator at Glasgow School of Art. He studied at the University of Stirling, where he was also Vice-President (Education & Engagement) with the students’ association and then Representation and Student… Read More
Sir Andrew Cubie appointed new Chair of sparqs 19 Mar 2019
We are delighted to announce that Sir Andrew Cubie has been appointed as our new Chair of the Board. He will formally take up post at the sparqs’ conference, taking place at Surgeons’ Hall in Edinburgh on Thursday 28th March… Read More
Interview with Megan Brown, Edinburgh University Students' Association 28 Feb 2019
In this interview, we talk to Megan Brown, Academic Engagement Co-ordinator at Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA). Alongside her role at EUSA, Megan sits on QAA's Student Advisory Committee and sparqs' University Advisory Group. 1. Tell us a bit about your… Read More
sparqs' 2019 Student Engagement Awards shortlists! 19 Feb 2019
We are delighted to announce the full list of awards shortlists for the 3rd sparqs' Student Engagement Awards! View the full list of awards shortlists to see who is in the running in all the awards categories! Congratulations to all those shortlisted, and… Read More
Interview with Tom Lowe, University of Winchester and the RAISE Network 24 Jan 2019
In this interview, we talk to Tom Lowe, who is the Centre for Student Engagement Manager at the University of Winchester and Secretary for the international network RAISE (Researching, Advancing and Inspiring Student Engagement). Tom’s area of focus is the practicalities… Read More
Our February ARC Network meeting is open for registration! 08 Jan 2019
The second of 2018-19’s Academic Representation Co-ordinators' (ARC) Network meetings is now open for registrations! The Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network is sparqs’ professional forum for staff in roles relating to the support of academic representation and student engagement in quality. Under the banner… Read More
sparqs Student Engagement Awards - Course Rep of the Year awards are now open! 07 Jan 2019
Nominations are currently open for our 'Course Rep of the Year' awards from both colleges and universities within Scotland . Nominations are invited for students who have been reps during 2017-18 and/or 2018-19. There are awards for both the college sector and… Read More
