Our 2026 STEP conference, Stepping Over the Threshold: Belonging and Inclusion in Scotland’s Tertiary Sector, attracted exceptionally high interest from across Scotland’s tertiary sector and was attended by more than 200 delegates from across Scotland.

The conference focused on belonging, inclusion and the transitions shaping learner experiences. Delegates took part in keynote sessions, provocations, workshops and lightning talks designed to support enhancement across the sector.

The conference opened with a Provocations Panel chaired by CDN’s Gordon Hunt. Panellists included New College Lanarkshire student Colin Campbell, Glasgow Kelvin College Principal & CEO Joanna Campbell and Edinburgh Napier Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Nazira Karodia, who reflected on the conference themes and sector-wide efforts to support diverse learner journeys.

A series of lightning talks highlighted practice across work-integrated learning, neurodiversity support in practice-based settings, student and staff experiences of learning, and approaches to strengthening belonging through curriculum design and mentoring.

Workshops led by STEP project teams and partners explored inclusive assessment, regional collaboration, personalised support in STEM pathways, disabled student experiences, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and student voice and representation.

The conference demonstrated a spirit of collaboration across Scotland’s tertiary sector and a shared commitment to inclusive, supportive and empowering learning experiences.