SCAPP Conference Tues 27 May 2025 @ GCU
Shaping the Future of Access and Participation: Sharing Knowledge, Valuing Impact
We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for the SCAPP Conference 2025 in partnership with SPIRU (Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit)!
Confirmed keynote speakers:
- Graeme Dey, Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans
- Professor John McKendrick, Scotland’s Commissioner for Fair Access and Co-director of SPIRU
This is a unique opportunity to join colleagues across the sector to reflect on the progress being made in widening access and to explore future opportunities for impact.
We look forward to seeing you at Glasgow Caledonian University on Tuesday 27th May 2025
Secure your spot now – book here!
Evaluation Workshop: Refugee and Migrant Education Rights in Scotland
Thurs May 1st, 2025 from 10-11.30 (online)
JustRight Scotland is organising a workshop for people working in fields related to education policy aimed at evaluating and progressing refugee and migrant education rights in Scotland.
The workshop is part of an evaluation of a successful campaign (Our Grades Not Visas) led by high school student Ahmed Alhindi, which culminated in a landmark extension of rights for many migrant and asylum seeking students previously denied the opportunity to attend further and higher education courses. JustRight Scotland and other campaign partners are currently evaluating the Our Grades Not Visas campaign, and want your help in drawing out lessons as well as reviewing the breadth of impact of the campaign.
This workshop will inform much-needed further support for refugee and migrant people in Scotland aiming to achieve their dreams and contribute as they would wish in this country. After introducing interim findings from our evaluation so far, facilitators will guide participant discussion in areas such as access and attainment in Scottish further and higher education for refugee and migrant people. Feedback and recommendations will feed directly into the rest of the evaluation work, including that of our final report and toolkit – which will be disseminated widely to policymakers, community development and education stakeholders, and members of the community.
Find out more and register to attend here.
Transforming Access and Student Outcomes (TASO)
TASO Annual Conference: How to Evaluate
29-30 April, University of Warwick
Find out more and sign up here.
SERA Conference 2025
19th – 21st November 2025, University of Aberdeen
The SERA Annual Conference is an important event for the educational research community in Scotland.
The three-day conference invites researchers and practitioners working in Scottish and international research contexts to share their insights under the theme of Education: Open to all?
The call for submissions is open until Friday 9th May. Find out more here.
Focus Group on Internationalisation, Languages and Widening Participation
Wed 21 May, 10.30-11am
SCAPP is recruiting for this focus Group on behalf of The University Council for Languages Scotland.
Equipping our students and graduates with the skills to thrive in a globalised world is a strategic aim shared across Scottish universities. It can be particularly transformative in the case of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Languages have an important role to play in enabling students to access other cultures and perspectives, and to see themselves beyond their childhood horizons, however, fewer learners are gaining these skills at present.
The University Council for Languages Scotland has developed a number of proposals to address this for discussion with the Scottish Government and associated stakeholders. Widening Participation is a key area of interest for universities and we are keen to hear views from those who work in this area on our proposals. Details of our proposals will be given at the focus group.
If you have experience of working with HE applicants/students from widening participation backgrounds and wish to share your feedback on the proposals and your views on the impact they may have, please complete this form to sign up.
Wider Access and Higher education Network (WAHEN) - free events
Webinar: Inequalities in access and success in HE: what does research and data show?
Tues 27th May, 1-2.30
Find out more and register to attend free here.
Conference: Access and Geopolitics: Next Steps in Tackling the Equity Crisis in Global Higher Education
3rd June 2025 10-5 at Ruskin College, Oxford and online.
Find out more and register to attend free here.
European Access Network Conference
University of Galway
Tues 10 -Wed 11 June 2025
Registration information and what to expect in Galway is available on the Conference Website.
Understanding the Impact of CDN Focus Groups
Have you attended or participated in a CDN event, course or programme over the last three years? If yes, CDN would love you to join one of their online focus groups between 20 May and 5 June to share your stories.
Find out more and sign up here.
RSE Conference - Funding of Tertiary Education in Scotland
Wed 28 & Thurs 29 May, Edinburgh
Join the RSE for a two-day conference encouraging well-focused, informed, and evidence-based discussions about the future of tertiary education funding in Scotland. This conference will draw on current published material, speakers’ submissions, and contributions from educational experts, policymakers, and leading academics. By carefully considering existing materials and perspectives, RSE aims to present clear, evidence-backed policy options for the future of funding models in Scotland.
Find our more and sign up to attend here.
NEON Access and Success Academy – The Principles of Information, Advice and Guidance and Their Importance for Widening Access
Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 10 – 4pm (online)
Making sure that all learners – especially those from under-represented groups – receive accurate information, advice, and guidance is crucial to helping them stay on their educational path, transition successfully into higher education, and achieve positive outcomes. Effective support and interventions depend on a deep understanding of how to navigate the wide range of choices available to them. To achieve this, NEON invites you to their upcoming Access and Success Academy training.
Register to attend here.
Applying to Oxford & Cambridge live sessions
Available to Scottish schools during 1-10 September 2025 – host schools or institutions can register interest online until Monday 5 May 2025 at 9am.