WP Evaluation Matters Community of Practice
The SCAPP Widening Participation Evaluation Matters Communities of Practice (CoPs) are groups of practitioners who gathered together within specific timeframes to carry out evaluation work on specific Scottish Widening Access or Widening Participation projects and programmes, using Theory of Change to learn how to improve impact and effectiveness.
The first CoP launched as a pilot in December 2022. It ran throughout 2023 and concluded in early 2024. The second CoP launched in February 2025 and concluded in March 2026. Throughout the duration of each CoP, participants learned more about evaluation practices through shared experience and a programme of guest presenters, information sessions and training events.
These took place in-person and online.
Towards the conclusion of each CoP, participants produced Case Studies of their Evaluation Projects. The first CoP included a Collaborative Report reflecting on their projects and The second CoP additionally included the creation of thematic posters reflecting particular elements of the CoP process. The outputs, alongside the results of an evaluation of the pilot CoP, and are available online below. The outputs from the Second Cop will be made available to SCAPP members soon.
SCAPP remains committed to supporting the building of effective evaluation practice in Widening Access and Widening Participation in Scotland and is working with sector colleagues and partners to do this.
2022-2024 CoP Case Studies and Collaborative Report
WP Evaluation Matters Collaborative Report on the Evaluation Cycle
Case Studies:
Glasgow Caledonian University | GCU Connect
LEAPS | LEAPS Pre-UCAS Interviews
LEAPS | LEAPS Transitions Course
LIFT OFF | LIFT OFF Data Project
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland | RCS Fair Access Evaluation Project
University of Aberdeen | Reach Aberdeen Law
University of Glasgow | Access to HE – Skills, Support and Progression Evaluation
University of Strathclyde | Young Strathclyder P6 & P7 Programme Pilot
Thank you to all CoP members who contributed to, produced and edited these case studies and report.
Evaluation of the Pilot (2022-2024): Evaluation Matters Community of Practice
An evaluation research project was undertaken to evaluate SCAPP’s pilot Widening Participation Evaluation Matters Community of Practice.
Read the report here: Final Report of the Evaluation of the SCAPP WP Evaluation Matters Community of Practice (published August 2024)
Authors: Ms Alison Browitt, Dr Karen Campbell and Ms Jennie Younger
With thanks to
SCAPP would like to thank the professionals who supported our Communities of Practice and provided their time and expertise:
Co-facilitators:
Alison Browitt, University of Glasgow
Jennie Younger, LEAPS
Guest Presenters:
Al Blackshaw, University of Strathclyde (CoP 1 and 2)
Alice Smith, LEAPS (coP 2)
Alison Browitt, University of Glasgow (CoP 1 and 2)
Annette Hayton, University of Bath (CoP 1)
Dr Cathy Stone, University of Newcastle, Australia (CoP 1)
Dr Emily Flaherty and Nathan Tagg, Glasgow Caledonian University (CoP 2)
Dr Paula Christie, the College Development Network (CoP 2)
Greg Brown, University of Glasgow (CoP 1 and 2)
Dr Laurence Lasselle, University of St Andrews (CoP 1 and 2)
Prof. Liz Austen, Sheffield Hallam University (CoP 1)
Prof. Tim Pitman, ACSES, Australia (CoP 2)
Prof. Stella Devitt-Jones, Staffordshire University (CoP 1)
Participants and contributors in the Pilot CoP (2022-2024) came from the following organisations and institutions:
Glasgow Caledonian University
LEAPS
LIFT OFF
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
University of Aberdeen
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
University of St Andrews
University of Strathclyde
Evaluation of SCAPP’s 1st CoP:
Conducted by Alison Browitt, Dr Karen Campbell and Jennie Younger.
Participants and contributors in SCAPP’s second CoP (2025-2026) came from the following organisations and institutions:
LEAPS
ASPIRE NORTH
Napier University
University of Glasgow
City of Glasgow College
The Hub for Success
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow Caledonian University
SWAP West