sparqs supports a network for student officers in universities and colleges who have an education-focused remit. The National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) was created in Autumn 2019 to provide an opportunity for officers from colleges and universities across Scotland to discuss and work on key sector issues together. It was set up in response to feedback from student officers who expressed the need for a national officer network with members from both universities and colleges.
The network engages participants in discussions around key learning, teaching and quality related sector developments, provides an opportunity for officers to share best practice, and allows for cross-institutional working on initiatives and projects. After the successful introduction of sparqs’ Tertiary Quality Student Expert Group (TQSEG) in 2023-24, we carried out a review of the purpose of NEON, also considering the latest changes in the sector. We want to ensure that officers have access to ongoing training and support throughout the year, therefore NEON meetings are now focused on officers’ development, building on what they have already learnt during That's Quality! and ensuring that they are further equipped in engaging with the new review method.
Suggestions are always welcome for topics for NEON meetings. If you would like to propose anything or if you have any queries about the network, please contact Chase Greenfield.
NEON mailing list
Following feedback from previous officers, we created a NEON mailing list so that you can easily contact each other between meetings. Please sign up to the NEON mailing list to keep yourself in the loop!
New attendance process
Based on feedback from network members and a successful trial of a streamlined process in 2025-26, calendar appointments for online NEON meetings are now automatically sent to all those signed up to our NEON Jiscmail list and members are asked to accept/decline to confirm whether they plan to attend each meeting.
New members wishing to join NEON should sign up to the NEON Jiscmail mailing list (link above) to be kept in the loop and to receive the calendar appointments for forthcoming meetings.
2026-27 NEON meetings
Dates for the coming academic year are as follows:
- Thursday 1st October 2026 - by VC, 10.00am-12noon
- calendar appointment sent to NEON members. - Tuesday 1st December 2026 - by VC, 10.00am-12noon
- calendar appointment sent to NEON members. - Thursday 4th February 2027 - by VC, 1.00pm-3.00pm
- calendar appointment sent to NEON members. - Tuesday 23rd March 2027 - by VC, 1.00pm-3.00pm
- calendar appointment sent to NEON members. - 13th May 2027 - joint, in-person 'Planning for the year ahead' meeting of NEON, SESN and STAG (sparqs Tertiary Advisory Group)
- QMU, 10.00am-3.00pm - will open for bookings nearer the time.
Last year's meetings can be accessed below and meetings from previous years can be accessed via the side menu on the Events page.
2025-26 NEON meetings
- Tuesday 28th October 2025 - by VC, 11.00am to 1.00pm
- see the event page for further details and the materials from the meeting. - Wednesday 17th December 2025 - by VC, 10.30am-12.15pm
- see the event page for further details and the materials from the meeting. - Thursday 5th March 2026 - by VC, 10.30am-12.15pm
- see the Agenda and Presentation from the meeting. - Tuesday 12th May 2026 - 10.00am-3.00pm at QMU - joint, in-person event along with SESN colleagues and members of STAG (sparqs Tertiary Advisory Group).
- see the event booking page to register for this 'Planning for the year ahead' event.
Security arrangements for online meetings
Online meeting links are not available on social media or our website. They are sent by email only to those who have registered for the event. To ensure only those who have registered join the meeting, delegates are asked not to share the link with anyone. Only those who have registered will be admitted.