Apply for #YourCDN Leadership Programmes

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 CDN Leadership Programmes, designed to build leadership capability across colleges, universities, and education-related organisations.

Expressions of interest are invited for the Executive Leadership Series, a high-impact programme for current and aspiring senior leaders.

Our CMI-accredited Emerging Leaders Programme supports practicing and aspiring managers to develop core leadership skills, while the Strategic Leaders Programme equips senior managers preparing for wider strategic responsibility. The next cohort begins in September, with a further intake in January.

From emerging talent to experienced executives, #YourCDN offers progressive leadership development to meet the needs of today’s sector.

Discover more here

Online Event:

Launch of Scotland’s Essential Skills Network

29 April 2026 (09:30–11:30)

Join us for the launch of Scotland’s new Essential Skills Network - a collaborative national forum designed to strengthen how essential, meta, and core skills are embedded across curriculum, pedagogy, and professional practice.

This online event brings together leaders and practitioners from across Scotland’s colleges and key agencies to explore emerging practice, national priorities, and opportunities for collective impact.

Hear from David Hiddleston (Edinburgh College) and Gail Toms (CDN); explore practice examples from Forth Valley College, Edinburgh College, and Glasgow Kelvin College. Receive an update from Qualifications Scotland, and take part in breakout discussions and a panel exploring sector-wide impact.

Register online here

Supporting Quality Reviews:

New ILQR Toolkit Launched

CDN has launched a practical new resource to support Scotland’s tertiary institutions with the Institution-Led Quality Review (ILQR) process.

The free, co-created ILQR Toolkit guides staff through the full Internal Learning and Quality Review cycle - from planning and preparation to post-review enhancement - bringing together clear guidance, practical tools, and supportive resources in one place.

The toolkit was introduced this month by CDN’s Insight and Innovation Partner, Jo Turbitt, at a joint CDN and QAA Scotland event, Managing Quality in Challenging Times, attended by quality professionals from across the tertiary sector.

Toolkit highlights include:

• SRUC’s ILQR route map
• Podcasts, flipbooks, and guidance notes
• Links to sector-wide quality resources

Quality staff across the Scottish tertiary sector are encouraged to explore the resource and share it with colleagues.

Access the ILQR Toolkit here

Big Ideas in Action: Research Development Programme Highlights

February and March featured two engaging sessions in the Research Development Programme (RDP).

In February, Tara Brabazon (Flinders University) encouraged educators to bridge teaching and research and reclaim professional agency through publishing pedagogical practice.

In March, Deirdre Murphy (City of Glasgow College) shared a 12-week case study reimagining self- and peer-assessment as collaborative, empowering processes that build confidence and support learner ownership.

Missed them? Watch recordings on CDN LearnOnline via the Insights and Innovations Hub.

Coming Up

On 25 April, Kerry Heathcote (College of West Anglia) explores Quiet Camaraderie — creating space for reflection and connection, even when working apart. To book, contact CDN's Jo Turbitt: jo.turbitt@cdn.ac.uk

Looking further ahead, the Research Development Programme (RDP) will relaunch in 2026/27 with a new name, refreshed focus, and revised timings. More details will be shared next month.

Ideation/Futures Lab

Bring futures-thinking into your college with training, facilitation, and practical support from the Ideation & Futures Lab. Explore testimonials and complete the enquiry form to get started.

#EqualityMatters:

Putting Inclusion at the Heart of Your Work

Discover #EqualityMatters, CDN’s monthly digest supporting staff to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion across colleges. Each edition links the UN SDGs to inclusive leadership, providing easy access to resources and events.

The April issue focuses on standing up to racism and exploring how practitioners can be actively anti-racist.

View April Issue here

STEP Conference 2026 - Call for Proposals

CDN and QAA Scotland are inviting programme proposals for Stepping Over the Threshold: Belonging and Inclusion in Scotland’s Tertiary Sector, on Wednesday 27 May 2026 at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Part of Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) - delivered by CDN and QAA Scotland and funded by the Scottish Funding Council - the conference will bring together students, staff, researchers, and sector partners to explore how belonging, inclusion, and key transitional thresholds shape learner journeys.

We welcome creative sessions in any format - workshops, lightning talks, storytelling, panels, demonstrations, or visual/performances. Students, individually or in groups, are especially encouraged to submit.

Deadline: 10 April 2026

Learn more here

Colleges Show Racism the Red Card campaign

Colleges and partners across Scotland were invited to submit contributions to a collective campaign aligned with Show Racism the Red Card, raising awareness and supporting anti-racism across the tertiary sector.

Led by the Black History Month/Anti-Racism Working Group within CDN’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Network, the initiative aims to create a strong, shared voice across colleges.

With contributions now in, the team is busy behind the scenes compiling all materials into a shared slideshow and video to circulate across the sector. Supporting blogs or statements may also be published in advance to help build momentum for the campaign.

Final promotional content is scheduled to be shared in the week commencing 27 April 2026.

Watch this space