Our recently relaunched 'Talking Student Partnership' interview series is back with another video conversation from Scotland’s tertiary education sector!
The next interview in our series features Jo Turbitt, Insights and Innovations Partner at the College Development Network. In our interview, Jo reflects on her role at CDN, her past experience as a lecturer, and talks us through topics such as:
- Creativity and innovation in education.
- Scotland's strengths and opportunities related to student partnership.
- Her reflections after completing her Master's in Education Futures.
- The Insights and Innovations Hub launched by CDN.
- And much, much more!
View the video interview below (filmed with Jo in November 2025 and published in December 2025).
Here are some of our top takeaways from talking to Jo:
- Worried about a massive piece of work? Jo suggests you find yourself in the project and incorporate your own experiences, values, and perspectives into it.
- Seek the voice that throws you off. In Jo’s experience, sometimes being “thrown off course” takes you in exactly the direction you need to be looking.
- Be the person who opens the door. By inviting students into the room, we open a realm of possibility that wasn’t there before.
- Become part of students’ journeys during assessment. This not only supports learning, but gives the lecturer more insight into how the assessment is designed.
- Check out the Insights and Innovations Hub! At www.cdn.ac.uk. Go explore some fantastic resources!
We’ll be bringing you more insightful conversations with our interviewees once per quarter. To follow the full series, be sure to follow sparqs on our social media:
- Twitter/X: @sparqs_scotland
- Bluesky: @sparqs-scotland.bsky.social
- LinkedIn: sparqsscotland
- Instagram: sparqs_scotland
If you wish to recommend yourself or a colleague for a future “Talking Student Partnership” interview, please contact Chase Greenfield, Development Consultant at: chase.greenfield@sparqs.ac.uk.