Contribute to sparqs’ new project on college learner outcomes 29 Nov 2022
sparqs is keen to hear from colleges and students’ associations willing to participate in a project to explore student engagement in enhancing college learner outcomes. Responding to both national and college level data, sparqs has identified the value of better understanding… Read More
Interview with Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland 28 Nov 2022
In this interview, we talk to Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland’s new President for 2022-23. She took up office in July, and has previously served as President of the University of the West of Scotland Students’ Association, and Co-Convenor of the… Read More
Trustee recruitment 26 Nov 2022
Applications to join our volunteer Board of Trustees have now closed - the recruitment information will remain available until the process is complete. sparqs is currently looking for people who are committed to what we do and the values we hold,… Read More
Thanks to all those contributing to our national project exploring the Student Learning Experience 13 Nov 2022
sparqs is currently facilitating a series of workshops across Scotland, kindly hosted by institutions, to understand what a good Student Learning Experience means for students currently studying across the country’s colleges and universities. Many thanks to all those who have… Read More
Our SLE workshops are now open for students to register! 02 Nov 2022
As outlined in our news article published on 1st November, sparqs is currently undertaking a national project exploring the Student Learning Experience (SLE). We are pleased to announce that the cross-institutional workshops (one for university students and one for college… Read More
Interview with Cassie Lowe, University of Cambridge 24 Oct 2022
In this interview, we talk to Cassie Lowe, Senior Teaching Associate at the University of Cambridge. She has written and researched in a number of learning and teaching areas, but the thread of student engagement has remained a key focus.… Read More
sparqs' team news! 23 Oct 2022
We have some exciting news to share! In the coming weeks, Stef Black will be joining the Scottish Funding Council on a 12-month secondment. Stef will take up the role of Senior Policy Officer in Assurance and Outcomes, working with… Read More
New sparqs’ student guide on the Scottish Quality Concerns Scheme 30 Sep 2022
We are pleased to publish our new Scottish Quality Concerns Scheme in context – student guide, a resource for students, developed to give context to QAA Scotland’s Scottish Quality Concerns Scheme. The Concerns Scheme provides an opportunity for students, staff and… Read More
sparqs' 2022-23 Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 12 Sep 2022
Bookings are now open for Course Rep Training during 2022-23 ....for delivery from week beginning Monday 19th September 2022 onwards. All the information you need is on our main CRT webpage. Please read the booking guidance before arranging your sessions and requesting dates.. CRT delivered by… Read More
2022-23 SESN and NEON dates 11 Sep 2022
We are pleased to publish the 2022-23 dates for our staff and officer networks (SESN and NEON), which will be a mix of in-person and online events. The first meetings of both have now taken place, n person, and will… Read More
Interview with Conor Naughton, Nottingham Trent University 11 Sep 2022
In this interview, we talk to Conor Naughton, Educational Developer at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), a post he started in June 2022, where he specialises in student engagement, transition, and course design. Before that, he served two terms as President… Read More
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 09 Sep 2022
We join with those across the sector and around the world in sending our condolences to the Royal Family at this time. Read More
Interview with Kirsten Koss, outgoing NESCol Depute President and new sparqs' Associate Trainer 14 Jul 2022
In this interview, we talk to Kirsten Koss, who has just finished a part-time sabbatical as Depute President of North East Scotland College (NESCol) Students’ Association, where she led the SA’s representation at its Aberdeen City and Altens campuses and… Read More
Our new Professional Standards Framework for Student Engagement 22 Jun 2022
sparqs is delighted to announce an important new document that will help articulate the value and impact of student engagement staff posts. Our new Professional standards framework for student engagement is the first such publication to offer a definition of… Read More
Our new Strategic Conversations resource! 26 May 2022
As part of the Developing College Students' Associations (DCSA) project, delivered jointly with NUS Charity, sparqs has designed a Methodology for Strategic Conversations, to encourage institutions and students' associations to carry out a structured strategic conversation when in the process… Read More
Interview with Lianne Gagnon, Niagara College, Canada 25 May 2022
In this interview, we talk to Lianne Gagnon, Director of Student Services at Niagara College, in Ontario, Canada. Lianne has been in the field of education for over 30 years. She taught remedial English and Special Education on the traditional… Read More
QAA Scotland is currently recruiting students for various quality enhancement roles! 25 May 2022
QAA Scotland is currently recruiting for some exciting student roles: Student Enhancement Theme Lead and Deputy - two positions for session 2022-23. Student representatives for the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee (SHEEC) - four positions for session 2022-23. If you want to find… Read More
Our That's Quality! 2022 events... still time to register for TQU! 04 May 2022
Part 1 of That's Quality! Colleges has now taken place, but there's still time to register for That's Quality! Universities. The 2022 events are split into three parts and delegates are required to complete all three elements. The first part is… Read More
Interview with Jodie McNair, Glasgow Clyde College Students’ Association 28 Apr 2022
In this interview, we talk to Jodie McNair, Development Officer at Glasgow Clyde College Students’ Association (GCCSA), where she has worked for almost five years. Her first role in the sector was Sports and Societies Intern for Glasgow Caledonian Students’… Read More
Our AT recruitment has now closed 27 Apr 2022
sparqs 2022-23 Associate Trainer recruitment has now closed, as of 9.00am on Wednesday 4th May 2022 While recruitment has now closed, the information regarding the posts will remain visible for reference until the recruitment process is complete. .Calling all student reps! Do you have experience… Read More
Save the dates for our 2022 That’s Quality! events 26 Apr 2022
We are pleased to announce the confirmed dates for our annual induction events for student officers and students’ association staff. To retain the benefits of both online and in-person delivery, the 2022 event will be split into three parts. The first… Read More
Interview with Anne Campbell, Ayrshire College 24 Mar 2022
In this interview, we talk to Anne Campbell, Vice-Principal (Curriculum) at Ayrshire College. She has worked in the college sector for over 20 years and has occupied various learning and teaching positions throughout her career. Before joining Ayrshire College, Anne… Read More
Call for case studies... Equity of the Student Learning Experience - DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL 27TH APRIL!! 23 Mar 2022
As part of the current Enhancement Theme – ‘Resilient Learning Communities’ - sparqs and QAA Scotland are working collaboratively to facilitate the delivery of the Student Led Project (SLP). The SLP engages student officers from across the sector to input… Read More
Still time to book for NEON on 7th April.... 01 Mar 2022
Bookings are still open for the next meeting of our National Education Officers' Network (NEON). See below to register to attend and to keep yourself in the loop via the Jiscmail group. In the coming period, the network will be utilised… Read More
Interview with Sofia Khan, University of Strathclyde Students’ Association 23 Feb 2022
In this interview, we talk to Sofia Khan, Access and Participation Coordinator at University of Strathclyde Students’ Association. She has been in her current post since January 2020, in which she delivers the students’ association’s support to a range of… Read More
sparqs' Coronavirus (COVID-19) information hub 26 Jan 2022
During the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, our dedicated hub has provided information about sparqs' refocused work plans, our forthcoming online events and support, as well as signposts to other relevant comms and resources which we feel may be of use to sector… Read More
Interview with Charlotte Britton-Stevens, NUS Charity 25 Jan 2022
In this interview, we talk to Charlotte Britton-Stevens, Union Development Project Manager at NUS Charity. She has held many roles within NUS and the wider student movement, and was a student officer at Swansea University. Currently, she leads the SFC-funded… Read More
