Save the date! The sparqs Conference is on 28th March 2019 08 Jun 2018
. We are delighted to announce that sparqs will be holding its biennial conference on Thursday 28th March 2019, at Surgeons’ Hall in Edinburgh. . Conference Theme The theme for the conference is ‘Student engagement for all’. It will provide an opportunity to focus… Read More
sparqs events currently open for bookings + future 'save the dates' 08 Jun 2018
Just a reminder that we currently have three events open for bookings, as advertised in our last news articles. There are still places on all three events, so please sign up now if you're planning to attend. In addition, please save the dates for our… Read More
‘Student Engagement in your institutional GAP’ - Launch of sparqs’ benchmarking and development tool 08 Jun 2018
sparqs is delighted to launch a new Benchmarking and Development tool to support colleges and universities across Scotland to improve student engagement in the design and delivery of their Gender Action Plans (GAPs). Student engagement in GAPs puts the student voice… Read More
Students needed for reading groups: UK Quality Code update 08 Jun 2018
The Expectations and Practices of the new UK Quality Code was published on 27th March 2018 after undergoing a significant redevelopment. The full code, including the Advice and Guidance that underpins the Expectations and Practices is scheduled for publication in… Read More
sparqs' Privacy Policy has been updated 08 Jun 2018
Please note that the sparqs Privacy Policy has been updated in line with the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) now in force within Europe, as of 25th May 2018. We would encourage anyone who uses our services to read this updated policy,… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON…EUSA’s participation in our ‘Monitoring the Diversity of Course Reps’ project 08 Jun 2018
This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s (EUSA’s) involvement in our pilot project to support institutions to monitor the diversity of their course reps. Many people working in HE and FE have ‘gut feelings’ about the make-up of course rep… Read More
Opportunity for students to sit on QAA’s Student Advisory Committee 08 Jun 2018
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) are currently recruiting new members for their Student Advisory Committee. This is an opportunity for students and SU staff who want a voice in how the quality of UK HE is ensured. Both Scottish representatives on… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Meera Sabaratnam 08 Jun 2018
In this interview, we talk to Dr Meera Sabaratnam, lecturer and BA Programme Convenor in International Relations at SOAS University of London. She has a strong research interest in colonial and post-colonial relations, statebuilding and development, and has been undertaking… Read More
That's Quality! 2018 - both events are now open for bookings! 08 May 2018
We are pleased to announce that both of our annual That's Quality! induction events are now open for bookings! The event for universities takes place on 17th & 18th July in Stirling and the event for colleges takes place on 8th & 9th August in Dundee. … Read More
Monitoring the Diversity of Course Reps: Introductory rollout event - 26th June 2018 08 May 2018
sparqs is holding an event on the afternoon of Tuesday 26th June 2018 to roll out our highly successful project on monitoring the diversity of course reps. During the pilot in 2017/18, we worked with four institutions and we are now working in partnership with Advance… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON.... Student Engagement with learning for sustainability at Dumfries and Galloway College 08 May 2018
This ‘Spotlight On’ features work that is underway at Dumfries and Galloway College to address student engagement with learning for sustainability, both within the curriculum, and across the wider college campus. The project was originally presented at the November 2017… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Matt Adie 08 May 2018
In this interview, we talk to Matt Adie, Vice-President (Education) at the University of Stirling Students’ Union and Student Theme Lead for the current QAA Enhancement Theme “Evidence for Enhancement: Improving the Student Experience”. Matt is currently in his final… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Stewart Squire 08 May 2018
In this interview, we talk to Stewart Squire, Democratic Support & Policy Co-ordinator at Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA). Stewart’s role involves a range of support for student engagement, and he previously worked at the Abertay University Students’ Association as… Read More
sparqs 2018-19 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 12 noon, Tues 8th May! 19 Mar 2018
Calling all course reps and apprentices! Do you have experience as a course rep and will be a student during 2018-19? Or...... Will you be an apprentice during 2018-19, or are you a recent graduate apprentice wishing to develop your core skills? ....if so, and you would… Read More
sparqs ARC Network - May 2018 meeting is open for bookings! 19 Mar 2018
Registration is now open for our next Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network meeting, taking place on Wednesday 9th May 2018 at University of Stirling Students' Union. Our third and final meeting of the 2017-18 academic year has a packed and exciting agenda, with two sessions on course reps… Read More
sparqs PGR project - call for contributors! 19 Mar 2018
We are delighted to announce that, based on sector interest and demand, sparqs is commencing a project to explore and develop practice in the engagement of postgraduate research (PGR) students. Over the coming year we will be looking at various aspects… Read More
Review of the Professional Standards for Lecturers in Scotland’s Colleges: Gathering the Student Voice 19 Mar 2018
A review of the existing standards for lecturers in Scotland’s colleges is currently being conducted by the College Development Network (CDN) on behalf of the Scottish Government. sparqs has been tasked with ensuring that students have the opportunity to be… Read More
Students leading on key Enhancement Themes project 19 Mar 2018
sparqs is delighted to be working with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Scotland and students from a range of Scottish universities on a project titled: Responding to the Student Voice: Communicating the Impact. This project is part of the current… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON.... University of Strathclyde's one minute feedback 19 Mar 2018
This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features the University of Strathclyde’s one minute feedback system, which is used to gather attendance at lectures whilst also motivating students to actively feed back at the end of class. Comments are responded to at the beginning… Read More
sparqs Strategic Planning – looking ahead to 2021... 09 Mar 2018
sparqs Trustee Board is pleased to announce that we have started a planning process to develop a strategic plan to guide our work until 2021. Since the launch of its last plan in 2013 sparqs has made great strides in promoting… Read More
