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This month, we’re shining a spotlight on CDN’s Finance and Corporate Services team — the powerhouse behind the scenes keeping everything on track.
Often described as the backbone of CDN, our six-strong team (pictured with the wider CDN team) provides the structure, support, and expertise that help the organisation thrive, from finance and HR to IT, admin, governance, and support for strategic networks, Communities of Practice (CoP), leadership programmes, and more.
Get to know the Finance and Corporate Services team in our latest blog post, 'The Backbone of CDN: Supporting Every College, Every Step of the Way.'
The Finance and Corporate Services team introduces this month's Update:
"Welcome to this month’s CDN Update, packed with news and inspiration from across #YourCDN.
At CDN, we’re excited to unveil our new website, launch our latest brochure and 60-second video, and share new opportunities across CDN LearnOnline. We’re also hiring for a Delivery and Engagement Partner, a fantastic chance to join our team and help drive collaboration and innovation across Scotland’s college sector. You’ll also find updates on Leadership Programmes, the Researcher Development Programme, and upcoming events like Exploring the Manosphere and the Marketing and Communications Network Conference.
There’s so much to discover — dive in and see what’s new at #YourCDN!"
If you have any questions related to Strategic Networks or Communities of Practice (CoP), feel free to reach out to us at: networks@cdn.ac.uk.
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#YourCDN is Here!
This is #YourCDN: supporting every college, every staff member, every step of the way — and now it’s easier than ever to access everything we offer.
✨ Our brand-new website is live!
Clearer, faster, and easier to use, it’s your hub for resources, events, networks, and opportunities. Explore, discover, and make CDN truly #YourCDN.
View the new website here
🎥 Discover CDN in 60 Seconds
Got a minute? Watch our short video to see how #YourCDN supports you and Scotland’s colleges.
Watch the video here
📖 CDN Brochure
Your complete guide to learning, networks, CPD, and sector support. Plan your pathway and take the next step in your development and career.
Explore the Brochure here
💻 CDN LearnOnline
Flexible, on-demand CPD with courses, toolkits, and resources — updated regularly to keep you ahead.
Discover CDN LearnOnline here.
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Join Our Team: Delivery and Engagement Partner
CDN is seeking a Delivery and Engagement Partner to help drive collaboration and innovation across Scotland’s college sector.
In this exciting role, you’ll design and deliver programmes that inspire and empower professionals to make a lasting impact. If you’re passionate about further and higher education and enjoy bringing people together to deliver improvement and change, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply by 5pm on 14 November 2025.
Find out more and download the recruitment pack on our website.
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CDN’s Researcher Development Programme (RDP)
In September, we launched The Ripple Effect — a new series where colleagues from across the sector share their research, curiosities, and connections across different areas of activity.
Kirsty Miller (City of Glasgow College) kicked off the series with Excavating Training in Blended Learning. You can access the recording, slides, and Top 5 Takeaways now on CDN’s LearnOnline here.
Coming up:
📅 November 19 – James Lamb (University of Edinburgh/EFI) explores Post-Digital Learning Spaces.
📅 30 January 2026 – Write On!, an in-person event at the Jisc Innovations Hub, University of Stirling, find out more and register here.📘 View the full 2025–26 programme on CDN’s LearnOnline here.
Interested in taking part or finding out more? Contact CDN's Insight and Innovation Partner, Jo Turbitt: jo.turbitt@cdn.ac.uk
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Exploring the Potential of Generative AI in Teaching and Learning
Various Dates, Online
Are you ready to harness the power of Generative AI in education? Join our free online workshops designed for college staff to explore, apply, and critically engage with AI in teaching, learning, and assessment.
These hands-on sessions will help you understand the practical applications of Generative AI in the classroom, gain skills to enhance teaching, learning, and assessment, and reflect on ethical and critical considerations around AI use.
Whether you’re curious about AI or looking to strengthen your digital teaching toolkit, these workshops provide practical, everyday strategies you can start using immediately.
Find out more and register
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Exploring the Manosphere:
Online Masculinities in Tertiary Education
Tuesday 11 November 2025
(1100-1300) Online
Join colleagues from across Scotland’s colleges to explore the manosphere - an online space shaping ideas of masculinity - and its impact on gender equality, student wellbeing, and violence prevention.
Featuring Alan Bissett and organisations including White Ribbon Scotland, Zero Tolerance, and Prevent Scotland, this interactive session invites reflection, discussion, and practical insights for anyone in student support, curriculum, policy, or leadership.
Supported by West College Scotland.
Find out more and register
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Marketing and Communications Network Conference
Tuesday 17 February 2026
(0930–1530)
New College Lanarkshire, Coatbridge Campus
Do you work in Marketing and Communications in Scotland’s college sector? Join us at the CDN Marketing and Communications Network Conference - a chance to connect, share ideas, and gain insights from leading voices on the key issues shaping our sector.
Agenda coming soon... watch this space!
Find out more and register
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#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, with easy access to resources and events.
The November issue focuses on Supporting Mental Health and Neurodiversity, featuring resources on trauma-informed practice, ADHD and autism support, and inclusive classroom strategies. View here.
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Hi everyone,
I hope you’re all keeping well and enjoying the change in seasons.
As we head into winter, there’s plenty to look forward to — including our annual College Awards celebration. If you haven’t already, take a look at the shortlist and book your place for what promises to be a fantastic celebration of the sector. We’re delighted that we’ll be joined on the evening by Minister for Higher and Further Education Ben Macpherson.
This month has been particularly exciting for us at CDN with the launch of #YourCDN — our new campaign making it easier to access CDN's events, resources, and networks. #YourCDN is all about supporting every college, every staff member, every step of the way. We’re also thrilled to share our brand-new website. It’s clearer, faster, and simpler to use, with resources, events, and networks right at your fingertips. We hope you love it.
Take a minute to watch our 60-second video showcasing CDN, explore our new brochure highlighting key areas of work, and visit CDN LearnOnline for regularly updated courses, toolkits, and resources.
Last month, we were delighted to launch Understanding Colleges Today, a free online course on CDN LearnOnline. Designed to give a clear and engaging introduction to Scotland’s colleges, the course blends interactive activities, videos, and reflective exercises to help you build confidence and deepen your understanding of the sector. Thanks to your feedback, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes making improvements to ensure the course is even more engaging, relevant, and valuable for every learner.
We’ve also been thrilled by the response to Elevate LT, our funded professional learning programme developed with TeachingHOW2s. With 22 colleges on board, the first training sessions are already underway — it’s wonderful to see such enthusiasm for enhancing learning and teaching across the sector.
As always, you can find all our upcoming activities at cdn.ac.uk, on social media, and in our regular newsletters.
Warm regards,
Marie Hendry
Chief Executive, CDN
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