That's Quality! 2026 is open for bookings! 01 Apr 2026
We are pleased to announce that our annual That's Quality! programme for student officers and students’ association staff is now open for summer 2026 bookings! The full programme now comprises the self-study module and the extended residential event: The online self-study module… Read More
sparqs is recruiting student Associate Trainers for 2026-27 01 Apr 2026
sparqs 2026-27 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 9am, Monday 11th May 2026! Calling all student reps! Do you have experience as a course/apprentice or other representative role? Will you be a student or apprentice during 2026-27? ....if so, and you… Read More
Course Rep Training – your plans for 2026-27 01 Apr 2026
This article is a prompt for Course Rep Training Organisers (Representation Co-ordinators and those with similar remits in colleges and universities across Scotland) to consider your plans for delivering Course Rep Training (CRT) during 2026-27, if you haven’t already done… Read More
A reminder about SEAPs before officer handover 01 Apr 2026
As we approach the end of the academic year, this article is a reminder about the Self-Evaluation and Action Plan (SEAP) process. In particular, we want to remind institutions to seek perspectives and input from outgoing students' association officers before… Read More
Planning for the year ahead: a combined meeting of STAG, NEON and SESN in May.... plus an extra SESN in April! 01 Apr 2026
A reminder that sparqs’ three stakeholder forums will gather again in May for our annual, joint, in-person meeting to explore sparqs' future work. If you plan to join us, please register as soon as you can... On Tuesday 12th May 2026… Read More
Reminder: sparqs is recruiting for a Development Consultant! 01 Apr 2026
A reminder that we are currently recruiting for a Development Consultant to join our staff team. The closing date for applications is 9.00am on Monday 13th April 2026. sparqs is a charity funded by the Scottish Funding Council to work with Scotland's… Read More
sparqs is recruiting for a Development Consultant! 13 Mar 2026
We are currently recruiting for a Development Consultant to join our staff team. sparqs is a charity funded by the Scottish Funding Council to work with Scotland's university and college sectors. Our mission is to foster a culture of partnership between… Read More
Planning for the year ahead: a combined meeting of STAG, NEON and SESN 10 Mar 2026
Following previous successful combined events, sparqs’ three stakeholder forums will gather again in May for a joint, in-person meeting to explore sparqs' future work. On Tuesday 12th May 2026 sparqs’ Tertiary Advisory Group (STAG), National Education Officers’ Network (NEON), Student Engagement… Read More
Launch of sparqs' new Academic Development Toolkit 10 Mar 2026
We are delighted to publish our new Academic Development Toolkit, launched on 10th March 2026 at the first of three invitation-based events for academic development colleagues within the Scottish tertiary sector. We’re thrilled that more than 30 colleagues will be joining us… Read More
Additional SESN meeting on 30th April 2026! 10 Mar 2026
Please note that we have scheduled an additional meeting of the Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN), taking place on Thursday 30th April 2026 – online via MS Teams, from 10.00am until 12noon. The network is aimed at staff in universities and colleges… Read More
Contribute to the design of sparqs’ Postgraduate Research Experience model! 04 Feb 2026
sparqs is undertaking a project to create a model of the Postgraduate Research Experience to accompany the model available for taught students. The model will play a key role in quality enhancement processes across Scotland, and sparqs is keen to… Read More
Student partnership in staff development project update - events and project outputs coming soon! 04 Feb 2026
We are delighted to share that outputs from our ‘Student partnership in staff development’ project will be launched in March 2026. As part of this, we have invited academic developers from across the Scottish Tertiary sector to attend a practice sharing… Read More
2026 Summer training dates 04 Feb 2026
We're delighted to be able to give early notification of our 2026 Summer training dates, for both That's Quality! and our Associate Trainer residential event: That’s Quality! Following feedback from delegates at last year’s event, we have reviewed the course content and… Read More
Launch of sparqs' TQEF guidance for elections 04 Feb 2026
As institutions and students’ associations prepare for the upcoming officer election season, sparqs is pleased to share Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) Guidance for Elections. This resource has been developed to help prospective candidates gain a clear, confident understanding of… Read More
In case you missed them... new STEP resource, next SESN & NEON events and new Buddy Scheme intake! 04 Feb 2026
A few reminders from our January articles and our New Year round-up, in case you missed them.... Launch of our new STEP guidance In January we were pleased to publish our new Practical Guide to Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP), which provides context… Read More
Reminder re our induction resource for staff with a student engagement role! 04 Feb 2026
A reminder about our induction resource for new academic representation co-ordinators and similar students’ association staff. Updated annually, the Induction guide for Academic Representation Co-ordinators contains helpful information for any new students’ association or institution staff member with a student… Read More
Trustee Board Chair recruitment - deadline extended to 19th February 04 Feb 2026
Volunteer Chair of Trustee Board A reminder that sparqs is currently seeking a chair of Trustees who will lead our Board with integrity, insight and enthusiasm. This is an opportunity to guide a highly-regarded charity into its next exciting chapter. To… Read More
Launch of sparqs' new STEP Practical Guide to Student Engagement 13 Jan 2026
sparqs is delighted to announce the publication of our Practical Guide to Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP). This guide has been produced for students’ association officers and staff in the tertiary education sector in Scotland. It provides a context and… Read More
New year round-up! 13 Jan 2026
Happy new year to friends and colleagues from all in the sparqs team! We hope 2026 has started well for everyone and we look forward to working with you all again during the coming year! We begin the year with the… Read More
Join the next SESN on 12th February 2026 13 Jan 2026
The next meeting of the Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) will take place on Thursday 12th February 2026 – online via MS Teams, from 10.00am until 12noon. The network is aimed at staff in universities and colleges with student engagement and… Read More
Join the next NEON on 5th March 2026 13 Jan 2026
The next meeting of the National Education Officers' Network (NEON) will take place on Thursday 5th March 2026 – online via MS Teams, from 10.30am until 12.15pm. The network is open to education and representation elected officers in universities and colleges, with… Read More
Reminder re our Trustee Board Chair recruitment - extended deadline 13 Jan 2026
Volunteer Chair of Trustee Board A reminder that sparqs is currently seeking a chair of Trustees who will lead our Board with integrity, insight and enthusiasm. This is an opportunity to guide a highly-regarded charity into its next exciting chapter. To… Read More
sparqs Buddy Scheme open for registration - 2026 intake! 13 Jan 2026
The Buddy Scheme is ready for its 2026 intake! By signing up to the scheme, you are paired with another practitioner in student engagement across institutions and students’ associations in Scotland, to give you the opportunity to discuss and have… Read More