Despite the pandemic, colleges in Scotland have continued to deliver, to stay responsive to changing skills needs, and to keep people in productive learning.
A new report from the Scottish Funding Council shows colleges provided almost 118,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) places in 2020-21, an increase of 1,645 on last year’s figure.
Looking at trends for learning and skills, the figures show that over a quarter of all college activity was in the broad area of health and care services.
Today’s figures also confirm a trend for learners opting for longer courses which lead to higher level qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs. Numbers studying on longer courses increased in 2020-21 whilst there was a drop in demand for short courses requiring under ten hours of study. During the period covered by the report, the impact of COVID-19 on secondary education meant fewer school pupils attended college courses and fewer adults went to evening classes.
Higher and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said:
“These figures clearly show that, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, our colleges have delivered more full-time equivalent numbers, giving students the opportunity to achieve the recognised qualifications required for a skilled workforce.
“This ability to deliver courses despite the challenges of COVID-19 highlights the great resilience and flexibility of our college sector.”
Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“Today’s report paints an impressive picture of colleges’ resilience in the face of a global pandemic.
“By providing more full time places colleges have extended the benefits of tertiary education and skills development for people wanting to progress to a career or further studies. As well as providing life-changing opportunities for individuals, this has a positive impact on communities, the economy and public services.”
“Alongside their teaching activities, colleges played an important part in supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of their students and staff during these extraordinary times.”
As well as challenges created by the pandemic, colleges have also been coping with a demographic reduction in the number of 18-19 year olds which has decreased by almost 16 per cent in the last ten years. Despite this, and an increase in young Scots being accepted for university places, more than one in five 18-19 year olds was a full-time college student in 2020-21.
How will the growth of online learning, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, change the spaces in which colleges and universities teach their students?
This is one of the questions being put to delegates at a forthcoming national conference focusing on the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Strategy. Described by Education Minister, Jamie Hepburn, as “an opportunity … to discuss how the built environment can support the best possible educational outcomes for our children, young people and wider communities”, Scotland’s Learning Estate Conference will take place on 23 and 24 November.
The conference will include a session chaired by SFC’s Assistant Director of Capital and Climate Change, Rufus Logan, which will look at how digital learning could shape the design of classrooms, lecture halls and study areas for future generations. Contributing to the debate will be James Clay from Jisc, the SFC-funded organisation which provides universities and colleges with digital infrastructure and services. Other organisations contributing to the session include engineering consultants, Buro Happold and project management company, Atkins.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Rufus Logan said:
“College and university buildings constantly evolve to adapt to new technologies and the needs of the people that learn and teach within them.
“This is a particularly exciting time, when advances in digital learning made during the pandemic are challenging some of the assumptions we used to make in the design, construction and operation of learning spaces.
“The Scottish Funding Council was heavily involved in the creation of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estates Strategy, and we are currently undertaking a huge amount of work on the physical and virtual estate. This will be a great opportunity to carry forward the debate and learn from others in the field.”
See more details of the session.
Global thought-leaders Wade Davis, Vice President of Inclusion Strategy for Product at Netflix and Gayemarie Brown, Forbes Top Female Futurist are set to join leading Scottish businesses at Scotland’s third annual CAN DO Innovation Summit early next year.
As a focal point for business innovation in Scotland, the virtual event will connect small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups with leading innovators, academics, entrepreneurs and investors from across the globe to explore new opportunities that marry purpose and profitability.
The lead delivery agency for the CAN DO Innovation Summit is Glasgow City of Science and Innovation. Core funders for the event are the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Funding Council, Glasgow City Council, Innovate UK/KTN and Glasgow Science Centre.
The 2022 iteration of the Summit will offer practical insights on how people power combined with the right tech and sustainable business practices can accelerate a smoother digital transformation journey for Start-ups and SMEs. The event will also provide a timely legacy platform to examine what the outcomes of COP26 will mean for business.
Now in its third year, the Summit, which last year attracted over 1,000 attendees from across the globe, will be held online from 23 February 2022, followed by in-person elements in the preceding weeks.
With a focus on community-building and peer to peer learning, more than 40 speakers are expected to take part in the 2022 CAN DO Innovation Summit, including SME business leaders from a broad church of sectors – from energy, advanced manufacturing and the arts to fintech and food and drink.
Keynote speakers already confirmed for the Summit include:
- Kate Forbes MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, and the Economy.
- Wade Davis, Vice President of Inclusion Strategy for Product at Netflix.
- Gayemarie Brown, CEO of Wintam Place Consulting, listed as one of the top futurists in the world by Forbes with more than 25 years’ experience helping companies of all sizes across the world apply existing and emerging tech to update their business models for the future.
- Dan May, Art Director and VFX Artist at award-winning design studio Painting Practice (Black Mirror, Gravity and the recent HBO/BBC show, His Dark Materials).
Diverse industry insights will be complemented by contributions from leading academics, investors and a range of innovation ecosystem support agencies advising on matching tech with business needs, funding, growing digital talent, collaboration opportunities and more.
Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy Kate Forbes said:
“Innovation will be at the heart of Scotland’s successful and pioneering green economy. The CAN DO Innovation Summit will be a key focal point in supporting a strong, collaborative approach to drive sustainable growth and a culture of innovation in Scottish businesses.”
Dr Susie Mitchell, programme director, Glasgow City of Science and Innovation (lead agency for the CAN DO Innovation Summit) said:
“Scotland is already a leader in innovation and we will showcase that at the Summit. By designing support, including ‘market square’ and peer learning opportunities like the Summit, that empower Start-up and SMEs to innovate through digital, diversity and a commitment to influence change – we will get one step closer to reaching our ambition of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best performing countries, while tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time.”
Gayemarie Brown said:
“All businesses need to understand how to apply new technologies such as AI, IoT, Robotics, 3D printing or next generation blockchain to drive change, increase efficiencies and reduce costs. Innovation is accessible to all companies, requiring a mindset that embraces design thinking, agility and change. I’ll be talking about emerging tech that businesses need to know about in the digital transformation space, to update their business models, stay ahead of the curve and embrace the future”.
As world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow, SFC is taking a look at some of the key themes of its recent climate change activities. Today the spotlight is on Scottish Carbon Capture & Storage (SCCS).
Established with SFC funding in 2005, Scottish Carbon Capture & Storage (SCCS) is a research and knowledge exchange partnership between Heriot-Watt University, the University of Aberdeen, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, and the British Geological Survey. SCCS also works to develop research and teaching, with engagement at St Andrews, Glasgow, Robert Gordon and other universities across Scotland.
In 2019 SFC, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise each committed £50,000 to support the UK’s largest research, industry and government partnership in carbon capture, use and storage.
Carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) is a group of technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at source to prevent them being vented to the atmosphere and escalating climate change. CCUS can decarbonise the power industry, heat and transport sectors, which account for 83% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. SCCS brings together world-leading CCUS expertise and facilities, and builds partnerships with industry and government to support the development of CCUS in the UK and internationally.
As world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow, SFC is taking a look at some of the key themes of its recent climate change activities. Today the spotlight is on the Green Gown Awards organised by EAUC, which is funded in Scotland by SFC.
The Green Gown Awards were established in 2004 to recognise the work done by colleges and universities in response to climate change. In the 17 years since then, they have helped inspire academics, administrators and students both in the UK and internationally – and their influence now extends far beyond the sector.
The first entry in the inaugural Green Gown Awards winners’ brochure was for the University of Glasgow. It won the award for energy efficiency for its adaption of an integrated controlled lighting system in the Wolfson Medical School.
Since then, Scottish colleges and universities have been consistently well represented amongst the Awards’ finalists and winners. The 2021 awards were held virtually because of the pandemic. In the year of Scotland’s hosting of COP26, a record-equalling twelve Scottish institutions made it to the finals.
This year Dumfries and Galloway College won the small institution award in the prestigious Sustainability Institution of the Year category. The college was recognised for its partnership approach to developing green energy skills, and for playing a major part in Dumfries and Galloway’s ambition to become a zero emissions region.
Another small institution winner in 2021 was North East Scotland College in the Next Generation Learning and Skills category. Its Girls in Energy programme has provided pathways into green engineering for over 650 female learners.
The University of St Andrews won the award for Campus Health, Food and Drink, and was highly commended in the Benefitting Society category for its Learning from Loss project. Two St Andrews students, Charlotte Evans and Millicent Sutton, shared the Sustainability Champion award.
Finally, the University of Edinburgh won the Campus of the Future award for its adaptation and biodiversity programme.
As world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow, SFC is taking a look at some of the key themes of its recent climate change activities. Today the spotlight is on the Fuel Change Challenge.
The Fuel Change Challenge National Showcase took place this year in March where 20 low carbon concepts were unveiled. The 20 projects were selected from 38 original submissions, which are currently being taken forward in development.
Fuel Change is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to empower young people to create a carbon neutral future for the next generation. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland, the Fuel Change Challenge was set up to provide a unique platform for the next generation to create a low carbon future.
In March apprentices presented their concepts to a panel of experts, having earlier received guidance and support from industry mentors. The concepts were developed in response to six challenges, including; how to recycle decommissioned aircraft; how to create an electric bus network in a medium-sized town; and how to create virtual replicas of physical devices.
This October ground-breaking solutions to climate change were presented by 16 to 24-year-olds today at the final of a Net Zero challenge supported by INEOS and the Scottish Government.
The teams of young people from across Scotland worked on developing fresh and creative ideas and concepts as part of Fuel Change’s Grangemouth Net Zero Challenge since the start of July.
The real-life challenges were devised by INEOS in consultation with the Scottish Government, covering sustainable manufacturing, heat energy, plastics and carbon capture and utilisation.
Fuel Change is fast gaining traction among government, industry and the education sector, with the ambition to eventually become a global platform that galvanises young people into taking meaningful action to address climate change, protecting the planet for their future.
As world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow, SFC is taking a look at some of the key themes of its recent climate change activities. Today the spotlight is on construction.
Construction plays a vital role in our lives and in our economy but also has a significant impact on climate change. In the UK, construction and the built environment account for as much as 47 per cent of total carbon emissions. In response, academics, professional bodies and the public sector are joining forces to actively promote zero carbon practices and design standards.
In Scotland, the fulcrum of this activity is the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC). CSIS is funded by the Scottish Government through SFC and Scotland’s enterprise agencies and supports a culture of innovation to drive transformational change across the construction industry.
During COP26, the CSIC Innovation Factory near Glasgow will be teeming with innovative exhibits, events and experiences designed to provide inspiration for the built environment to accelerate to net zero. Among the innovations on display is the K-briq made from 90 per cent recycled construction waste and developed by a clean tech spin out from Heriot-Watt University.
Meanwhile, on Sunday 7 November in the COP26 Universities Network Green Zone, Professor Ken Gibb will be sharing lessons from an SFC-funded demonstration project to evaluate a green retrofit of a typical Glasgow tenement. This ground-breaking project tackles the problem of decarbonising existing older housing stock – and there are more than 75,000 pre-1919 tenement dwellings in Glasgow alone. You can get a feel for what has been achieved from this specially-produced University of Glasgow video.
Figures published by the Scottish Funding Council today (2 November 2021) show that satisfaction levels at Scotland’s colleges remained high in 2020-21 despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Student Satisfaction and Engagement Survey 2020-21 almost 9 out of 10 full-time FE students (88.6%) and just over 80% of full-time HE students were satisfied with their college experience.
This is the first time the survey has been carried out since 2018-19 as the pandemic caused the cancellation of last year’s exercise. The publication of the new survey reflects SFC’s determination to understand the experiences of college students during the global pandemic. Carried out between 8 March and 30 April 2021, the survey reflects students’ experiences during periods of both restricted access and fuller lockdowns.
Importantly, today’s report shows high levels of satisfaction with colleges’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with four out of five FE students and more than two-thirds of HE students agreeing that they felt part of the college community. Overall, more than four out of five students agreed that online materials provided by colleges helped them learn and that changes in courses or teaching were communicated well.
Commenting on the report’s findings, Martin Boyle, Director of Policy, Insight and Analytics at the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“Today’s report demonstrates how well Scotland’s colleges adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. To have delivered such high levels of satisfaction in these unprecedented circumstances, when face-to-face teaching was significantly curtailed, is testament to the dedication and commitment of college staff right across the country.”
A full copy of the report is available on the SFC website.
As world leaders meet for COP26 in Glasgow, SFC is taking a look at some of the key themes of its recent climate change activities. Today the spotlight is on innovation for a greener Scotland.
Scottish innovation has made an indelible mark on many areas of knowledge, and we benefit from it in our everyday lives in things as diverse as transport, entertainment, banking and architecture.
The Scottish Funding Council recognises the strength of Scottish innovation in its investments and policies. One of our longest-standing investments in innovation is Interface, the national organisation which acts as a catalyst for collaborations between universities, colleges and businesses.
Climate change is a significant feature in projects brokered by Interface. One of the highest profile successes is Sunamp. The development of Sunamp’s world-leading thermal storage technologies has benefitted from a long and productive partnership between the company and the University of Edinburgh; a partnership that began with Interface and an SFC Innovation Voucher. Home owners using Sunamp technology are saving up to 50% in energy costs.
Another company to have developed green technology with the support of Interface is Renewable Parts Limited. Working with academics at the University of Strathclyde, Renewable Parts Limited is now producing remanufactured components for wind turbines. As well as improving recycling rates in the wind industry, the project has created new jobs and supply chain opportunities in Argyll.
In a completely different part of the economy, Interface used an SFC Innovation Voucher to facilitate a partnership between Creative Carbon Scotland and Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University. Their Library of Creative Sustainability now allows artists, designers and other creative practitioners to share valuable skills and knowledge in environmental sustainability.
SFC has expanded innovation support to other sectors of the economy through its College Innovation Fund. Last year, SFC allocated £500,000 to seven collaborative projects. Three of these set out to address the emerging skills needs created by more people moving to electric and hybrid vehicles.
The investment also included farming through a ground-breaking project conceived by Dundee and Angus College. SFC funding is allowing the college to work with industry experts to ensure an efficient transition to the new and more environmentally friendly methods created by precision farming technology.
“Today’s report highlights just how well students have done in coping with the many challenges they have had to face because of the pandemic.“It also shows the value of the work done by Scotland’s colleges and the importance of the pathways that exist between colleges, universities and employers in Scotland.”
Review of Coherent Provision
and Sustainability
In a report published today, the Scottish Government has detailed its response to the Scottish Funding Council’s Review of Tertiary Education and Research, broadly accepting all the recommendations.
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, described the review as thoughtful and noted its determination to balance ambition and pragmatism.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) had been asked by the Scottish Government to review how it could best fulfil its mission for tertiary education and research in challenging and changing times.
SFC’s review was based on the ideas and expertise of people from across all areas of Scottish tertiary education, innovation and research. Published at the end of June, its final report made wide-ranging proposals including recommendations about digital learning, how to attract and keep top research talent and a more collaborative approach to leadership.
The review makes a case for evolutionary change across the whole system, building on Scotland’s existing strengths. According to the final report these include a strong commitment to widening participation from disadvantaged communities, three universities in the top 100 in the world and a national commitment to the value of knowledge and education.
The Chair of the Scottish Funding Council, Mike Cantlay, said:
“I am grateful for the Scottish Government’s well-considered response to our review. We now know we have a robust and well-received set of recommendations to take forward in partnership with colleges, universities and other partners.
“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution and support we have had from colleges, universities and the many other organisations and stakeholders who have been part of this Review.
“Today marks a new and exciting point in the future of Scotland’s tertiary education and research system.”
The review report, Coherence and Sustainability: A review of Tertiary Education and Research is now available on the Scottish Funding Council’s website.
The Scottish Government’s response can be found on the Scottish Government website.
Education Minister, Jamie Hepburn, has visited West Lothian College to learn about a new skills initiative that is already giving people new opportunities and supporting Scotland’s future health and social care services.
The College recently teamed up with the Scottish Ambulance Service to look at retraining workers employed in COVID-19 mobile testing centres so that they are able to progress onto other jobs within the health sector. The collaboration has resulted in ‘Gateway to Health and Social Care’, a new skills course built around the specific needs of COVID-19 testing staff and delivered through online workshops.
People taking the course are able to build their own portfolio to demonstrate their skills to potential employers or act as a stepping stone towards other qualifications. The course is being funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) with money provided by the Scottish Government under the National Transition Training Fund.
James Dunphy, SFC’s Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes, said:
“This is a fantastic initiative and a great example of a college working in partnership to create a course that responds to the real needs of people and communities.
“As West Lothian College has shown, colleges are well positioned to help deliver the skills priorities of the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF). SFC has recently announced further NTTF funding for colleges across Scotland, ensuring they continue to meet the changing skills needs of people, businesses and our communities as we look ahead.”
Jackie Galbraith, Principal of West Lothian College, said:
“Developing a highly skilled, resilient workforce is our core purpose at West Lothian College. We achieve that through inspiring and enabling people to take advantage of the wide range of learning opportunities available from the college. The course developed in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service is a great example of that.
“We are seeing growing demand for short, sharp training courses specific to economic sectors that help people secure employment opportunities they might not otherwise have access to. The NTTF enables colleges to meet that demand and customise training to industry need.”
John Alexander, General Manager at the Scottish Ambulance Service’s Mobile Testing Units, says:
“We’ve seen first-hand the dedication and commitment of our staff who work at our Mobile Testing Units, and the contribution they’ve made to public health in Scotland.
“While they may have worked in very different roles before the pandemic, our collaboration with West Lothian College is set to equip them with further skills to develop their careers in health care. The new skills course will provide a pathway towards receiving a formal qualification following the practical skills they have developed in their roles.”
Principal Little said: “This is a huge personal honour to be appointed to the rank of Honorary Captain in the Senior Service. I have a longstanding association of over 40 years with the naval family, since I joined HM Coastguard as a 16-year-old. I look forward to being even more of an enthusiastic champion of the distinguished heritage and fine traditions of the Royal Navy, especially in Scotland.
“I am a tireless advocate for tertiary education as the great enabler for social mobility, and at City of Glasgow College we make a unique contribution to the UK maritime sector by training half of all Merchant Navy cadet officers, including many in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. As one of the top Maritime Academies in the world we also make an important contribution to international seafaring, which will be particularly evident during COP26.”
“The Honorary Officer cadre is an extraordinary group of talented individuals, all of whom bring valuable knowledge and expertise to the Royal Navy. Paul has a natural energy and passion for the maritime sector, underpinned by excellent connections not least through his role as Principal and Chief Executive of City of Glasgow College and so I have no doubt he will be an invaluable advocate.”
Over £930,000 allocated for developing the next generation of researchers and for the forming and strengthening of European collaborations.
As part of this European placement and exchange initiative, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is investing around £934,000 in a new Saltire Emerging Researcher Scheme, with funding allocations announced today. The SFC Saltire Emerging Researcher Scheme is one part of a major £6.75 million Scottish Government initiative to support international and EU activity.
Research consortia formed between university partners were asked to bid for up to £100,000 by putting forward projects designed to promote mobility between Scottish and European research activities. Following an assessment of the bids by a panel of experts, a programme has been created which will support a total of around 70 exchanges.
Amongst the partnerships receiving funding are some created through the Scottish research pooling initiative as well as ones from the Scottish graduate schools of arts and humanities and social sciences. They cover a wide range of research fields including chemistry, marine science, the natural environment, digital infrastructure and languages.
In addition to individual sets of exchanges, the funding also includes support for an umbrella programme of activities for all researchers involved in the scheme. The ‘Team Saltire’ events will provide networking opportunities, workshops and masterclasses as well as mentoring and public engagement activities. It will conclude with a showcase conference and awards ceremony in August 2022.
“These awards provide excellent opportunities to develop the next generation of research talent in Scotland and I am pleased to see such strong proposals from our research pools and other consortia to support and grow EU connections.
“Maintaining connections with the EU is crucial and reinforces Scotland’s leadership in working collaboratively with key partners to tackle global challenges including the pandemic, driving net zero transition and enhancing digital and other growth opportunities right across the economy of Scotland.”
“Scotland is a world-leader in many areas of academic research thanks to collaboration as well as to individual brilliance. In an ever more competitive environment we need to create even stronger links between our universities here in Scotland and internationally.
“So, today’s announcement of funding for the Saltire Emerging Researcher Scheme is an incredibly important one. There is a huge commitment from everyone to making this work really well for the post-graduate and early career researchers involved and I look forward to following progress over the coming months.”
The College Development Network (CDN) has published a new report, Co-Creating the Learner Journey: School-College Partnerships and Effective Skills Pathways.
The CDN report shows that, between 2016-17 and 2019-20, school-college partnership enrolments rose from 53,000 to almost 73,000. The research reveals that, were the upward trend to continue after the pandemic, 12% of all school pupils in Scotland will engage in study with a college.
The research contains eleven case studies, including Edinburgh College’s work with primary school children to encourage them to think about a career in care, and the Virtual School created by an initiative in the Highlands. Other partnerships are helping school students to develop skills for careers in the creative arts and developing competencies in STEM (Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics).
The report responds to the recommendations of the Scottish Funding Council’s Review of Tertiary Education and Research which recognises the importance of multiple pathways for learners and the key role of joint provision with schools.
Minister for Higher and Further Education, Jamie Hepburn, said:
‘I welcome the publication of this key report, which highlights the important role of School-College Partnerships in giving young people the opportunity for sector and industry insight when still at school.
‘This in turn helps our young people to make better informed choices in their learning journey and drives more talent into growth areas and sectors where there are recognised skills shortages.’
The full report can be found on the CDN website.
Board membership
“Mhairi, David and Lesley contribute an enormous amount of knowledge, experience and energy to our Board and I am delighted they will be serving for a further four years.“Looking ahead to the important work SFC has in implementing our Review of Tertiary Education and Research, and also at the challenges we face following COVID-19 and Brexit, it is important we continue to have people of their talent and commitment on our board.”
“I’ve made everything that I need to qualify for the Olympics,” explained Guest, keen to enjoy home comforts after three months on the road. “I needed one top-30 finish in World Cups and I’ve now got four, or two top-15s in Europa Cup. I have one win and two top-15s for the season, so I’ve put myself in a really good position for selection going into the summer.“Hopefully next season in the World Cup tour I can keep strengthening my position. We won’t find out officially until January, a few weeks before we are due to travel, so it’ll be quite hectic.”
Guest, who placed 33rd on her Olympic debut in PyeongChang 2018, has been contemplating her prospects ahead of a potentially career-defining 12 months. “Over the last few weeks I’ve begun to start talking about Beijing,” she acknowledged.
“I’ve started to think about goals and, in my mind, a top-20 finish would be a minimum expectation. I’m currently 33rd in the World Cup Slalom standings so I think top-20 is a nice round goal to have, but you never know who is going to be there or what’s going to happen, but I’d like to think that’s where I can be.“I’m in a much better position now than I was going into the previous Olympic cycle. Leading into PyeongChang 2018, I was unable to walk due to so much back pain. It was ridiculous, but I went to PyeongChang and it was a great experience. I managed to achieve a good result in the team event, but individually, I just wasn’t in the same league that I’m performing in now.“If my body is happy and I’m smart with how I’m working, then results will follow. It’s then just a case of having a clear head, realistic expectations and having fun going about it. I’m looking forward to, hopefully, having an opportunity in Beijing and being fully prepared and ready for it.”
“To begin with, I was thrilled to have a little more time off skis,” admitted Guest. “It was nice to have a little bit more time at home in the summer when the weather was good. I got kind of lucky. I’d just moved house and my new neighbour had a garage with gym equipment, which he let me borrow for the duration of lockdown – so although I was training by myself and without my usual coaches, I was still able to have a productive lockdown.”
“We’ve never been through this before and we all had to get on a charter flight, which was quite unusual. Everyone had to be tested before we could enter the hotel and enter our first race bubble. It was well organised and it felt safe as nobody could get in that hadn’t been tested.“It was weird, but thinking back on it now, we took it all in our stride quite well.”
“It offers a great deal of financial stability during this really difficult time for everyone,” said Guest. “Winning Students has allowed me to spend extra time on my studies and training. It’s been a game-changer, to be honest.”
“The Psychology department at Aberdeen is a great help. I couldn’t do it without the support and understanding from them.”
A new report from the four UK university funding bodies has found improvements in the representation of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in the assessment panels for the next Research Excellence Framework (REF).
The report, Analysis of full REF 2021 panel membership, summarises the equalities characteristics of the members appointed to the REF 2021 expert panels and compares its findings with information from REF 2014, as well as with the UK’s population of academic staff and professors.
The results show clear progress in increasing the representation of members from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. Panel members from these backgrounds make up 11 per cent of REF 2021 appointed panellists compared with five per cent in REF 2014.
The proportion of REF 2021 panel members from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds is now in line with that observed in the wider population of professors in the UK. However, while progress has been made, the data show there is still more work to be done to align more closely with the general academic population.
The new analysis also shows continuing positive trends in the representativeness of the panels. This includes significant increases in female representation with females now making up 45 per cent of appointed panellists compared with 33 per cent in REF 201. Furthermore, the representation of appointed members with a declared disability has seen an increase from one per cent in the previous exercise to five per cent.
These improvements follow the introduction of measures at the outset of the 2021 exercise which were specifically aimed at increasing representativeness on the REF panels.
This included tailored ‘Fairness in REF’ training in advance of panel selection processes, and a new requirement for information on equality and diversity considerations to be provided by organisations nominating candidates for membership.
“As we work towards a net zero economy, it is imperative that the estates of Scotland’s institutions match this common goal. This report from Edinburgh University, in response to SFC’s Climate Emergency Collaboration Challenge, clearly shows how collaboration between construction, academia, architecture and design sectors can lead to some real green solutions. This will help in removing the barriers to zero-carbon built developments across the higher and further education sector.”
“The university’s complex estate presents many unique challenges, which we must overcome as part of the university’s commitment to net zero across all of our international operations by 2040. We recognise the importance of decarbonising our estate, not just to remove our own emissions, but also because of our role as a global sustainability leader and an anchor institution in a world heritage city. Realising our ambitions requires a whole institution approach with low or zero carbon embedded as a key priority into a long term programme, and harnessing both specialist and academic expertise to lead the way for higher and further education, and for the wider public sector estate.”