A very warm welcome

Over the last two months, I have been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm shown by a wide range of stakeholders to advance the work of promoting fair access to higher education in Scotland.

My objective for the first three months has been to visit, listen and learn. I am two-thirds of the way through this preliminary work. Many have been generous with their time. Below is a timeline of my visits so far.

March

10th - visit to the University of Strathclyde

9th - visit to the Quality Assurance Agency in Scotland

9th - meeting with the Outreach team at Glasgow Caledonian University

7th - regular meeting with the Scottish Funding Council (Access, Learning and Outcomes)

6th - visit to the University of the West of Scotland (Executive Group)

6th - visit to Focus West

6th - meeting with the UCU in Scotland

1st - meeting of the Access Delivery Group

1st - meeting with the Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training

February

28th - meeting with the Lifelong Learning and Skills policy team

28th - meeting with the Asylum Seekers community-led researchers (Poverty Alliance)

25th - addressing the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s , Geography and Education: The Way Forward conference at Dollar Academy

24th - visit to the University of Aberdeen

24th - visit to Robert Gordon’s University

23rd - meeting with Vice-Principal, Policy and Planning at Glasgow Caledonian University

21st - meeting with Routes for All staff at Glasgow Caledonian University

20th - visit to West Lothian College

20th - meeting with Universities Scotland

17th - meeting with LEAPS, Director

16th - visit to City of Glasgow College

7th - visit to the Royal Conservatoire Scotland

7th - meeting with SCAPP officials

6th - visit to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

6th - meeting with Disability Co-ordinator, Glasgow Caledonian University

2nd - meeting with National Schools Co-ordinator, Scottish Funding Council

1st - first of regular meetings with the Scottish Funding Council (Access, Learning and Outcomes)

January

30th - meeting with Principal, Glasgow Caledonian University

20th - interview with wonkhe

18th - interview with Times Higher Education

17th - inception meetings with Scottish Government: Lifelong Learning and Skills policy team and data analysis team