Board of Studies Network

A network for Board of Studies conveners and secretaries, for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, as well as anyone interested in course and programme design, who would like to share ideas about Board of Studies processes, experiences and challenges.

Board of Studies Convener and Secretary network 

This network is for Board of Studies conveners and secretaries, for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, who would like to informally share with colleagues ideas about Board of Studies processes, experiences and challenges. The network is also open to any staff and students interested in course and programme design, or the Board of Studies experience. 

The mailing list will be used to keep you up to date with events, workshops and resources.

How often does it meet?

It meets at least once per semester to share ideas and cover topics of interest to network members.

Upcoming events in AY 2024-25 Semester 2:

Date & timeWorkshopLocation  Booking links (P&M log in required)
Wednesday 2nd April 2025, 10:30-12:00Board of Studies Convener and Administrator trainingOnline (MS Teams)https://edin.ac/41rrLrt
Wednesday 23rd April 2025, 14:00-16:30Supporting and enhancing learning and teaching through the Board of StudiesOnline (MS Teams)https://edin.ac/4g1GjTg

How do I join?

How to join: To join the mailing list for the network please contact:

Learning and teaching support

Contact details

Privacy statement for IAD mailing lists: you can read our IAD privacy statement for mailing lists here

Previous network events

Academic year 2023/24

12 December 2023: Exploring the culture of the University’s Board of Studies, Network Event with guest speaker Dr Anne Desler Edinburgh College of Art.

This session prompted discussions about the kind of culture we want to promote for Board of Studies as a University going forward. Anne Desler, ECA Director of Quality Assurance and Curriculum Approval, shared her experiences as Board of Studies Convenor, and her thoughts on what makes a ‘good’ Board of Studies.

Dr Anne Desler - Board of Studies Practice and Reflection (PDF)

Dr Anne Desler, Edinburgh College of Art - Board of Studies Practice and Reflection

24 April 2024: Embedding EDI into course and programme design, with guest speakers: Dr Tracey Madden, Dr Omolabake Fakunle and Dr W. Victoria Lee.

Three, 15-minute talks around different aspects of embedding EDI into course and programme design:

  1. Dr Tracey Madden from Educational Design and Engagement in Learning, Teaching and Web Services (ISG). Tracey is a Learning Technology Advisor, and discusses the origins of Universal Design and showcases useful and practical resources to support and create inclusive and accessible resources.Dr Tracey Madden - copy of slides (PDF)
  2. Dr Omolabake Fakunle, Chancellors Fellow, Moray House School of Education and Sport. She is on secondment with Curriculum Transformation looking at ED&I (Decolonisation), taking the strategic lead in the development and building of a holistic framework for understanding and undertaking De-colonising the Curriculum at School and course level to inform the Curriculum Transformation Project.Dr Omolabake Fakunle - copy of slides (PDF)
  3. Dr W. Victoria Lee, a Lecturer in Architecture and Environment, from Edinburgh College of Art and ECA EDI Co-Director (2023-2026). Showcases their very useful ‘Quick Guide’ for new course proposers to help proposers think through how to create a meaningful EDI statement for new courses.Dr W. Victoria Lee - copy of slides (PDF) and EDI A Quick Guide for New Course Proposers

Embedding EDI into course and programme design:

11th November 2019: A Focus on Assessment and Feedback

Presentations from Dr Tim Fawns (Medical School) talking about assessment and distributed learning, Professor Pete Higgins (Moray House) talking about his approach to promote feedback as dialogue and Dr Nina Morris (Geosciences) talking about blogs as a form of assessment.

Dr Tim Fawns (Medical School) – Agency in Assessment – a case for creativity, collaboration and adaptive capacity (PDF)

Professor Pete Higgins (Moray House)

Dr Nina Morris (Geosciences) – Enabling learning: blogging as an assessment strategy (PDF)


3rd December 2018: Student engagement in curriculum design and approval

An informal panel, comprised of Dr Catherine Bovill, Megan Brown, Eirlys Armstrong, Roberto Rossi and Dr Simon Riley, shared their experiences, challenges, aspirations, and lessons learnt when engaging students in curriculum design and approval processes.

Slides from event - Student engagement in curriculum design and approval (MS PPT)

6th May 2019: Embedding employability within the curriculum

Presentations from Helen Stringer, Dr Gavin McCabe, Dr Esther Mijers and Dr Patrick Walsh, which showcase good practice in embedding employability within the curriculum.

BoS Network slides – embedding employability (MS PPT)

Embedding employability into the biology curriculum - Dr Patrick Walsh (PDF)

Summary notes of event (PDF)