Education
Representing all 14 of Scotland’s Computing Science and Informatics Schools, SICSA is uniquely positioned to influence and champion university-level Computing Science education, at a national level.
Advancing Scotland’s reputation for world-class Computing Science education
Scottish Computing graduates are found worldwide, from start-up companies to global corporations; from school classrooms to specialist research labs. Scottish Universities were also amongst the first in the world to provide undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Computing, and today, offer world class Computing education that fully spans the discipline.
Representing all 14 of Scotland’s Computing Science and Informatics Schools, SICSA is uniquely positioned to influence and champion university-level Computing Science
education, at a national level.
All of this is underpinned by internationally leading research in Computing Education.
EDUCATION CHAMPIONS
Launched in 2022, SICSA Education Champions are a network for peer support for those in these increasingly prevalent roles. Champions facilitate collaborative efforts to develop our Computing Science curricula and teaching practice, and offer networking opportunities for colleagues who are often less involved in cross-institutional research collaborations.
The network is also intended to encourage and facilitate shared course development, where expertise from multiple institutions is pooled to create new, cutting-edge courses that may be delivered cost-effectively at multiple universities.
LEARNING & TEACHING SCHOLARS
Supporting the development of ‘teaching track’ colleagues, i.e. (e.g. Teaching Fellows, University Teachers, Lecturers on Learning & Teaching career paths, etc.) is critical. Such teaching roles are increasingly important in the delivery of CS education at most higher education institutions, and it is therefore critical that colleagues in these roles are supported in developing their
teaching practice, and their careers.
SICSA’s Learning & Teaching Scholars Programme provides mentoring, training, and scholarship opportunities for teaching-focused colleagues, especially those at an early stage in their career.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
EDI is a core priority across SICSA, especially under our Education Directorate which aims to increase the diversity of those studying Computing Science and, ultimately, entering Scotland’s tech ecosystem.
SICSA continue to work with and support initiatives like the Ada Scotland Festival and organisations such as dressCode and prioritises funding for events and initiatives that aim to address any aspect of equality, diversity or inclusion in CS Education.
GRADUATE APPRENTICESHIPS
SICSA champions degree-level apprenticeships in Computing subjects, having previously supported collaboration and knowledge exchange events involving all of Scotland’s Graduate Apprenticeship
providers.
We see Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) as an important means of
addressing the national skills shortage that limits the growth of our tech sector.
GAs allow employers to recruit new talent quickly, while providing apprentices with the depth of education and training that a degree can offer, thus ensuring that they are suitably equipped for a future career in tech. Through engagement with bodies such as Skills
Development Scotland and active involvement in the Digital Economy Skills Group, SICSA is uniquely positioned to drive the development of Computing-related apprenticeships.
Funding & support for Education events
SICSA Education focuses on understanding issues encountered within the field of Computing Education on a national level, enhancing collaboration across the core activities of undergraduate and postgraduate provision; representing common interests to government, to employer, professional and practitioner organisations; and to the wider education sectors.
We offer funding for events and activities which are focused on Computing Science and Informatics Education.
Academics and researchers at any SICSA institution are encouraged to organise events and activities throughout the year. If you’re researcher at a SICSA institution and you have an idea for an event, submit a proposal to our theme leads outlining your plans and funding required.
More infoMeet our Education Directors
Join our mailing list
SICSA Education is a moderated, low-traffic email lists to keep you informed about relevant SICSA events and opportunities.
Education Champions
Education Seminars
Teaching Product Judgement with Abd Alsattar Ardati
Dr Abd Alsattar Ardati is a Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of St Andrews where his work spans human computer interaction, software engineering, and digital inclusion, with a focus on participatory design and socio-technical systems that connect universities, industry, and communities.
Connect with Abd
https://abd.ardati.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-ardati/Show More
Learning & Teaching Scholars
L&T Scholars programme exists to provide development opportunities for learning and teaching staff across all of Scotland’s schools (or departments) of Computing Science.
The programme comprises a series of meet-ups, mentoring, and networking, designed to develop new scholarship ideas and explore innovative teaching practice. It is aimed primarily at early-to-mid career colleagues on ‘learning and teaching’ or ‘scholarship’ type contracts, for whom development opportunities are, perhaps, less readily available.