Thanks and farewell to our founding Trustees 15 Dec 2022
Following eight years of valued support, we recently wished farewell to two of our founding Trustees, Dr Iain Morrison (Dean of Student Experience at UHI) and Audrey Burns (former Chief Executive of University of Stirling Students’ Union). Both Iain and… Read More
Introducing sparqs’ new jobs board: discover student engagement roles in our sector 15 Dec 2022
A new jobs board has been launched on the sparqs website, collating student engagement vacancies into a single directory. We regularly promote vacancies in student engagement roles on behalf of colleges, universities and students’ associations in Scotland through our social media… Read More
sparqs' Christmas closing details 15 Dec 2022
Over the festive period, the sparqs' office will be officially closed from the end of Tuesday 20th December onwards, reopening on Monday 9th January 2023. While the office is closed, you can leave a message via the website or leave a voicemail on our answerphone (0131 622 6599) or… Read More
HEA Fellowships in sparqs 15 Dec 2022
We are delighted that our colleague, Simon Varwell, has recently been awarded the status of Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA). The fellowships, run by Advance HE, are internationally recognised levels of accreditation for individual professionals who work… Read More
Read Eve's WONKHE blog on why quality enhancement needs student engagement 15 Dec 2022
We are delighted to share a blog, written by our Director, Eve Lewis, recently published on the WONKHE website. Published as part of QAA Scotland's ongoing 20 Years of Enhancement celebrations, Eve's blog is around why quality enhancement needs student… Read More
Introducing the Tertiary Enhancement Topic 15 Dec 2022
‘The future of learning and teaching: defining and delivering an effective and inclusive digital/blended offering.’ We are pleased to publish a briefing on the newly introduced Tertiary Enhancement Topic, which the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) proposed as an additional project to… Read More
Contribute to sparqs’ new project on college learner outcomes 15 Dec 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
Launching the new sparqs' Buddying Scheme! 15 Dec 2022
Upon request of sparqs’ SESN (Student Engagement Staff Network) members, we are delighted to launch our new Buddying Scheme for student engagement staff across Scotland! Simply complete the sign-up form and we will match you with another practitioner in the field… Read More
Opportunities to present at the EFYE Conference in 2023 (university level) – sparqs and Abertay University 15 Dec 2022
Students and staff have an opportunity to present at next summer’s European First Year Experience (EFYE) Conference. The conference will be hosted by Abertay University in collaboration with sparqs, taking place on 27th-29th June 2023 in Dundee. The call for proposals… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Ellie Gomersall 15 Dec 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
Our SLE workshops are now open for students to register! 14 Nov 2022
As outlined in our previous 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 students)… Read More
New sparqs’ student guide on the Scottish Quality Concerns Scheme 01 Nov 2022
We are pleased to have recently published 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… Read More
Promoting Equity of the SLE: resources published from Enhancement Themes Student-led Project 2021-22 01 Nov 2022
As part of the Enhancement Themes, sparqs and QAA Scotland work in partnership to facilitate the delivery of the Student-led Project (SLP). The SLP is led by a steering group of student officers from across Scotland who choose a sub-topic… Read More
Celebrating 20 years of Scotland’s enhancement-led approach to quality 01 Nov 2022
The 2022-23 academic year is an important milestone for the Scottish higher education sector as it marks 20 years of the national enhancement-led approach to quality. To celebrate this milestone, QAA Scotland is, on behalf of the sector, hosting an exciting… Read More
Our next SESN meeting is open to book - 1st December 2022 01 Nov 2022
Our next Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday 1st December 2022 and is now open to book! It will take place online via Zoom, from 10.00am until 1.00pm. See the event booking page for further details and… Read More
Our next NEON meeting is open to book - 8th December 2022 01 Nov 2022
Our next National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday 8th December 2022 and is now open to book! It will take place online via Zoom, from 10.00am until 1.00pm. See the event booking page for further details and to register… Read More
sparqs is currently recruiting Trustees 01 Nov 2022
sparqs is currently looking for people who are committed to what we do and the values we hold, to join our volunteer Board of Trustees to support the governance and strategic development of sparqs. We would love to hear from candidates… Read More
sparqs' team news! 01 Nov 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
Opportunity to take part in a national project exploring the SLE 01 Nov 2022
sparqs is running a series of workshops across Scotland to understand what a good Student Learning Experience means for students currently studying across the country’s colleges and universities. sparqs has been commissioned by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the funding body… Read More
Updated SLE resource 2022-23: suggested questions for course reps 01 Nov 2022
We are pleased to launch our updated Student Learning Experience resource ‘suggested questions for course reps’ for the 2022-23 academic year. This resource had been updated in previous years to reflect the pivot to online learning and the changes to… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Cassie Lowe 01 Nov 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
That's Quality! 2022 roundup 22 Sep 2022
That’s Quality! is our annual induction event for new university and college student officers and those who support them. The events are designed to help new officers engage in quality processes at the institutional and national level. To retain the benefits… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON... Edinburgh University's Students as Change Agents programme 22 Sep 2022
This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features the Students as Change Agents (SACHA) programme run by the University of Edinburgh. A skills development project open to students from across the university, participants are presented with complex challenges set by external organisations, and are… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Conor Naughton 22 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
2022-23 SESN and NEON reminder - book now for the first events! 22 Sep 2022
A reminder that we recently published the 2022-23 dates for our staff and officer networks (SESN and NEON), the first meetings of which are open to book! Both networks will be a mix of in-person and online events, with the… Read More
Reminder: sparqs' 2022-23 Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 22 Sep 2022
A reminder that bookings are open for sparqs' Course Rep Training during 2022-23! 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 sparqs This year's Introductory CRT is continuing in… Read More
A roundup from our 2022 residential event for Course Rep Trainers 22 Sep 2022
The AT/IAT residential has returned! sparqs recently delivered its comprehensive training event for 2022-23 course rep trainers. Back as an in-person event for the first time since 2019, staff and trainees were pleased to gather at the beautiful University of Stirling… Read More
sparqs' 2022-23 Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 25 Aug 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… Read More
Meet our Associate Trainer team for 2022-23 25 Aug 2022
We are delighted to introduce our excellent team of student Associate Trainers (ATs) for the coming academic year. The team includes 10 newly-recruited trainers and 6 returners from previous years, including one trainer who is returning for her sixth year… Read More
2022-23 SESN meetings – book now for September! 25 Aug 2022
After consulting our Student Engagement Staff Network members, for the new academic year we are happy to announce that the first SESN meeting will take place in person, kindly hosted by Strathclyde University SA! It takes place on Thursday 29th… Read More
2022-23 NEON meetings – book now for October! 25 Aug 2022
We are excited to invite student officers to the first National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) meeting of 2022-23, which will take place in person, at Fife College’s Dunfermline Campus (Carnegie Conference Centre), on Thursday 6th October 2022. For the coming year,… Read More
College student board member training, 1st & 2nd September 2022 25 Aug 2022
Training for student members of college boards of management will be delivered online on the mornings of Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd September 2022. There's still time to register - please sign up ASAP if you would like to attend! Boards of… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Kirsten Koss 25 Aug 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
Still time to register for That's Quality! Universities 2022! 23 Jun 2022
There's still time to register for That's Quality! Universities, which begins on Wednesday 20th July 2022! The 2022 event is split into three parts and delegates are required to complete all three elements. The first part is a one-day online event, taking… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Lianne Gagnon 23 Jun 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 territory… Read More
Our Strategic Conversations resource! 23 Jun 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 of… Read More
Our new Professional Standards Framework for Student Engagement 23 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 the values,… Read More
sparqs staff news! 23 Jun 2022
As many of you may know by now, we have recently welcomed Stef Black back from maternity leave. We were delighted to welcome Stef back to work in mid-May, and we're very glad to have her back in the team… Read More
Book now for our That's Quality! 2022 events! 04 May 2022
We are pleased to announce that our annual That's Quality! events for student officers and students’ association staff are now open for bookings! The 2022 events are split into three parts and delegates are required to complete all three elements. The first part… Read More
Measuring project progress of sparqs/NUS support to develop college SAs 04 May 2022
As part of the Developing College Students’ Associations (DCSA) project, we are asking all Scottish colleges and their students’ associations (SAs) to answer some questions about SA activities and plans. The project is operated jointly by sparqs and NUS Charity,… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Jodie McNair 04 May 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
ESU call for Quality Assurance Student Experts - Deadline: 15th May 2022 04 May 2022
The European Students’ Union (ESU) currently has a call open for 90 members of their Quality Assurance Student Experts’ Pool for the membership term 2022-23. This call is open for current Pool members as well as for new applicants. Successful… Read More
Save the dates for the 2022 That’s Quality! events 12 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… Read More
sparqs’ forums combined in-person event – 11th May 2022 12 Apr 2022
After two years of online meetings, sparqs is delighted to announce a combined in-person meeting of its Joint Advisory Group (JAG), National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) and Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN). This will take place on Wednesday 11th May… Read More
Our Education officer “outduction” resource has been updated for 2022 12 Apr 2022
sparqs’ “outduction” resource, which aims to support the career development of departing students’ association education officers, has been updated for 2022. The resource was first published in 2021, in conjunction with Advance HE, College Development Network and NUS Charity. It is… Read More
An update on the Student-led Project: Promoting the Equity of the Student Learning Experience 12 Apr 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 and shape a… Read More
Watch the recording from the SCAPP/sparqs event on SE and widening access 12 Apr 2022
Collaboration between sparqs and SCAPP (Scotland’s Community of Access and Participation Practitioners) culminated in an event that showcased practice in the interface of student engagement and widening access and participation. We are delighted to share that the recording from this… Read More
Course Rep Training - planning for 2022-23 12 Apr 2022
We have recently emailed Course Rep Training Co-ordinators to ask Scottish institutions about their plans for delivering Course Rep Training (CRT) in 2022-23. In the majority of cases, Introductory CRT is delivered in one of the following ways. Most of these… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Anne Campbell 12 Apr 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
Reminder: sparqs is recruiting student Associate Trainers! 12 Apr 2022
A reminder that our sparqs 2022-23 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 9.00am, Wednesday 4th May 2022! .Calling all student reps! Do you have experience as a course/apprentice or other representative role? Will you be a student or apprentice during 2022-23? ....if… Read More
sparqs is recruiting student Associate Trainers! 22 Mar 2022
sparqs 2022-23 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 9.00am, Wednesday 4th May 2022! .Calling all student reps! Do you have experience as a course/apprentice or other representative role? Will you be a student or apprentice during 2022-23? ....if so, and you would… Read More
Book now for our NEON event on 7th April 22 Mar 2022
There's still plenty time to book for the next meeting of our National Education Officers' Network (NEON), taking place online, from 10.00am until 1.00pm, on Thursday 7th April 2022. See the event booking page for further information and to register to attend. The NEON network is… Read More
Last chance to book for SESN on 24th March 22 Mar 2022
Last chance to register for the next meeting of our Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN), taking place this Thursday, 24th March 2022 - online, from 10.00am until 1.00pm, See the event booking page for further details and to register to attend. The SESN network is aimed at staff in universities and… Read More
Recent SQA Announcements – NQ summer exams 22 Mar 2022
SQA has recently announced some specific guidelines that affect this year’s NQ exams (National Qualifications). These are generally the courses delivered at school level, including Nat 5s and Highers; but the news will also be of interest to college students’… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Sofia Khan 22 Mar 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
Register for our February and March SESN meetings 16 Feb 2022
Bookings are open for the next two meetings of our Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN). See below for details of the February and March dates and how to register to attend, as well as how to keep yourself in the… Read More
Our March and April NEON meetings are open to book 16 Feb 2022
Bookings are open for the next two meetings of our National Education Officers' Network (NEON). See below for details of the March and April dates and how to register to attend, as well as how to keep yourself in the loop… Read More
sparqs' support to college SAs through changes in the quality landscape 16 Feb 2022
Work is underway to design a joint quality framework for colleges and universities, as recommended by the SFC Review of Coherent Provision and Sustainability published in June 2021. In the meantime, quality arrangements in colleges and universities must continue and… Read More
Student engagement in widening access and participation event: 29th March 2022 16 Feb 2022
sparqs is thrilled to be working with SCAPP (Scotland’s Community of Access and Participation Practitioners) on an event aimed to showcase how students and students’ associations can shape the policy and practice of widening access and participation. Featuring staff and student… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Charlotte Britton-Stevens 16 Feb 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 Developing… Read More
