The 1st of March is the beginning of meteorological spring and it is true that we have seen a bit of sunshine, blossom and spring flowers along with lighter evenings. Our spring programme of events is shaping up very well and watch this space for more information about summer activities including our next in-person event:

• Tackling Degree Awarding Gaps in Higher Education on the 18 May kindly hosted by London South Bank University.

We are now recruiting for the Peer Evaluation Course 2026. Highly recommended by previous participants, you can find out more by clicking HERE. Numbers are strictly limited on this course so please get in touch as soon as possible - the deadline for applications is the 21^st March.

Transition to Higher Education: My Westminster Journey

3 March, online, 10.00 - 11.30

As part of our KAP Working Group series on transition to higher education the University of Westminster’s Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation will share the development and delivery of its transition offer which includes the creation of a digital 12 week welcome module My Westminster Journey, student co-creation workshops, and peer-led advice panels. The project is driven by the university’s Access and Participation Plan (APP) priorities, paying special attention to belonging, engagement, and continuation. BOOK HERE

Peer Evaluation Course 2026

We are now recruiting for the Peer Evaluation Course 2026. This course is for more experienced evaluators involved in leading or undertaking evaluation of access and participation initiatives in higher education. Designed for busy professionals the course combines continuing professional development for evaluators with an institutional Peer Review process. In this way both individuals and organisations benefit from the process. Numbers are strictly limited so submit an Expression of Interest by 21st March 2026 to secure your place CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT Email Annette Hayton a.r.hayton@bath.ac.uk or Joanne Moore jm3196@bath.ac.uk if you have any queries.

What is student success and how can we measure it? 18 March, online, 14.00 - 16.00

In this event Camille Kandiko-Howson, Imperial College London, and Andy Pitchford, University of Westminster, will focus on how we might evaluate the academic, social, and economic benefits to students, and the wider society, through approaches that support continuous organisational development to improve student outcomes and experience. Practice examples from Dr Andrew Wilson, Manchester Metropolitan University and Dr Sarah Richardson and Becky Williams-White, University of Leeds will offer complementary approaches to supporting students. BOOK HERE

Coaching the Gap: Supporting global majority students to thrive and succeed through personalised coaching approaches 24 March, online, 13.30 - 15.00

In this Student and Staff Race and Ethnic Equity (SsREE) working group event Dr Syra Shakir will give an overview of racialised student experiences in higher education, focusing on key insights, structural inequalities and priorities for equity across different ethnic groups. She will share good practice insights around coaching BAME students, from an intervention called Coaching the Gap at Leeds Trinity University. BOOK HERE

The STEM Working Group is really pleased to have two exciting talks on working with primary schools and students at our next meeting. Joe Shimwell, Northumbria University, will be talking about broadening primary school students’ careers knowledge and experience through a model of curriculum change. Dr Wendy Sadler, Cardiff University will be discussing effective ways to challenge stereotypes that science is not for a ‘people like them.’