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This month, we’re delighted to shine a spotlight on CDN's Teaching in Colleges Today (TiCT), an online learning resource available through CDN LearnOnline. Recently refreshed and relaunched by CDN following re-accreditation by Fife College, TiCT provides a strong starting point for new and recently appointed lecturers, introducing the knowledge and skills needed to plan, deliver and assess high-quality learning in Scotland’s colleges.
Co-delivered in partnership with colleges, TiCT continues to reflect contemporary professional standards and the realities of teaching in today’s Scottish colleges. In her recent blog, CDN’s Sandra-Jane Grier explores how TiCT can support new college lecturers as they begin their teaching journey in 2026.
Our latest update brings together news, opportunities and resources from across CDN – from the launch of Futures Lab and our Leadership Programmes, to STEP Online, the new GBV e-learning module and Elevate LT. You can also catch up on the CDN College Awards shortlist, explore new entrepreneurial resources from Interface, take a look at the refreshed #EqualityMatters Digest, and find out how to contribute to the next CAIRN Journal.
There’s a lot happening, and even more to get involved in. Take a moment to explore what’s new, connect with colleagues across the sector and make the most of what #YourCDN has to offer.
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CDN’s Futures Lab, FEAST and the Carnival of Curiosity
Adventure through Chaos and Innovation
CDN’s new Futures Lab launches on 1 October 2026 at 3pm with a special online event featuring Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney. Join us for an uplifting hour designed to beat the 3 o’clock slump, spark new ideas and discover what’s coming in 2026–27.
Futures Lab is designed to help colleges build the confidence, creativity and agency to thrive in uncertainty, using a Chaos to Discovery approach to explore ideas, experiment and turn insights into action.
We’re also launching FEAST and the Carnival of Curiosity – two opportunities to explore ideas, challenge thinking and try something different.
FEAST – Fostering Experimentation, Agency, Skills and Transformation – is a twice-monthly online session featuring creative thinking, provocative questions and practical experimentation.
The Carnival of Curiosity takes over CDN's LinkedIn from 6–8 October, bringing a festival of imagination, experimentation and action. What’s it all about and how do you get involved? Watch our 5-minute video with CDN’s Jo Turbitt, for the low-down on what’s involved, the ideas behind it and what to expect.
Futures Lab is just getting started, with opportunities running throughout 2026–27.
Register for the Futures Lab launch or join the Futures Lab JiscMail list to hear about what’s coming next.
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CDN College Awards
Shortlist Announced!
The shortlist for the CDN College Awards 2026 has been announced, with 195 entries received from colleges across Scotland.
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to celebrate the achievements of colleagues and learners across the sector, and congratulations to everyone who has made this year’s shortlist.
Proudly delivered by CDN, the College Awards celebrate the talent, dedication and achievements of Scotland’s colleges, shining a light on the excellence, innovation and impact taking place across the sector.
The shortlisted nominees will come together for the Awards ceremony on Thursday 3 December 2026 at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow, hosted by Amy Irons.
View the full shortlist here
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Elevate LT Returns
Enhancing Learning and Teaching Practice
Following the success of its first-year pilot, CDN’s Elevate LT programme returns for 2026–27, with participation fully funded by CDN for colleges across Scotland.
Delivered in partnership with TeachingHOW2s, Elevate LT supports educators to explore and apply evidence-informed teaching approaches, build confidence and share ideas that enhance learning and teaching.
The three-stage programme combines practical workshops, collaborative learning and access to the HOW2 Platform, including its integrated AI Assistant, helping participants reflect on their practice, explore new approaches and connect with colleagues across the sector.
Learn more and apply here
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CDN Leadership Programmes 2026/27
Supporting Leaders at Every Stage of Their Journey
From emerging talent to senior executives, CDN offers leadership development tailored to today’s education landscape, helping leaders build confidence, strengthen skills and put learning into practice.
Applications are now open for the 2026/27 CDN Leadership Programmes, including:
Together, these programmes create a progressive leadership pathway, supporting development from emerging talent through to executive level.
Discover more here
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STEP Online
Discover enhancement in action
CDN and QAA Scotland are delighted to introduce STEP Online, a four-part series showcasing projects from STEP – Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme.
STEP brings colleges and universities together to improve learning, teaching, the student experience and staff development across tertiary education. Delivered by CDN and QAA Scotland, the programme supports collaborative projects that share learning and enhance practice.
The sessions will explore:
See STEP in Action: SAPSO Project Premiere
As part of STEP Year 3, join the SAPSO project premiere for a short film created by Edinburgh College ESOL and HNC Media students, exploring the lived experiences of students with disabilities. The event will also look ahead to the next phase of the project. Register your interest.
New to STEP or already involved? Join us to discover more, gain fresh insights and explore how project learning could support your organisation.
Explore the sessions and book your place
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New GBV e-learning module
Creating safer colleges starts with learning, awareness and action
A new Gender-Based Violence (GBV) e-learning module is now available through CDN LearnOnline, kindly provided by Rape Crisis Scotland.
Designed with students in mind, the flexible module helps develop understanding of gender-based violence, its impact and how we can all contribute to safer, more inclusive college communities.
Colleges can also embed the module within their own intranet or online learning environment, making it easy to include within wider student learning and awareness activity.
The module forms part of CDN’s ongoing Creating Safer Colleges work to support greater awareness, understanding and action across Scotland’s colleges.
Access the GBV module here
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Developing the Entrepreneurial Mindset
New resource to support entrepreneurial thinking in Scotland’s colleges
CDN is delighted to be hosting a new Practitioner Playbook and Toolkit from Interface’s College Capacity Building Programme, bringing together practical tools, insights and learning to help colleges embed entrepreneurial mindsets and opportunities.
The resources support college leaders, lecturers and practitioners to develop learners’ confidence, creativity, teamwork and initiative, and are available through CDN LearnOnline’s Insights and Innovations Hub.
Discover more about the programme and its impact in Interface’s blog post, Playbook for Life (and learning) here.
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#EqualityMatters
Resources, events and, inspiration for equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality Matters Digest is CDN’s monthly EDI resource, bringing together useful resources, events, ideas and inspiration to support staff across Scotland’s colleges.
Each edition explores topics linked to equality, diversity and inclusion, alongside the UN Sustainable Development Goals, professional standards and inclusive leadership and practice.
Catch up on the latest issue, focusing on anti-stalking, and explore the full #EqualityMatters Digest.
Stalking Awareness Webinar
Join Action Against Stalking for an informative webinar exploring stalking, common myths and misconceptions, tech-facilitated abuse, Scottish legislation and where to find support. The session will also feature a contribution from the Alice Ruggles Trust, sharing Alice’s story and the importance of early intervention and awareness.
Find out more and register here.
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MadeOnAMobile
Mobile Storytelling for Learning, Engagement and Communication
Learn how to plan, create and edit engaging content using nothing more than your smartphone or tablet. This hands-on workshop covers storytelling, planning, filming, sound, lighting and editing, with plenty of time to put your skills into practice.
Delivered by Jon Gill, Playful Communications, the session is ideal for anyone looking to create confident, engaging content without specialist equipment. Places are limited to 16, so early booking is recommended.
Find our more and register here.
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The Last Word
Hi everyone,
It’s been another busy month at CDN, and there’s lots to look forward to as we head into October.
One of the highlights for me will be the launch of CDN’s Futures Lab – in a time of sector reform and transformation, the Futures Lab provides an exciting new space for exploring ideas and building confidence for the future. I really hope you’ll join us and get curious about what’s possible!
Thank you, too, for all your kind words following the launch of our Strategy 2026–30: Every College, Every Step of the Way last month. The Strategy sets out our priorities and ambition for supporting Scotland’s colleges over the next four years, shaped by conversations and collaboration with colleagues across the sector. If you haven’t had a chance to take a look yet, I’d encourage you to explore it and find out more about our plans for the years ahead. Read CDN's Strategy here.
There are also opportunities to share your own ideas and learning. The deadline for contributions to Issue 6 of the Colleges Action Inquiry Research Network (CAIRN) Journal is 9 October. If you have research, practice or learning to share, we’d love to hear from you.
And finally, a huge congratulations to everyone who made the CDN College Awards 2026 shortlist! A special thank you to our judges for their time and hard work reviewing this year’s phenomenal 195 entries from colleges across Scotland and to everyone who took the time to prepare and submit entries. The stories behind those entries are a brilliant reminder of the talent, dedication and impact happening across our sector every day. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Awards on 3 December.
There’s plenty happening across CDN, and I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at our programmes, events and activities over the coming weeks.
As always, you can stay up to date through www.cdn.ac.uk, our social media channels and newsletters.
Warm regards,
Marie Hendry
Chief Executive, CDN
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