Session 2026-27 is the third year of the first STEP cycle. Over the coming year, members of the STEP Network will come together for two in-person meetings to work on the projects they developed during year one.

In addition, we will be running the following events that will be open to all:

• Four STEP Online sessions
• Two in-person Symposia (January and March 2027)
• One in-person Conference (May 2027)

Further detail about all these meetings and events can be found below.

Supporting Transitions and Navigating Pathways

17 November 2026

In the first STEP Online session, attendees will have an opportunity to learn about the ongoing impact of two pilot STEP projects launched in 2024: Pedagogy for Transitions: Setting Students Up for Success through Enquiry Based Learning, and Student Success through Institutional Tertiary Alignment: Pathways, Process and Design to Enable Student Success.

We will also be joined by representatives from SCAPP and SWAPWest, who will reflect on the importance of collaborative working to strengthen learning pathways.

Strengthening Engagement, Community, and Belonging

16 February 2027

The second STEP Online session will showcase the projects Appreciating Belonging and Enabling Change: From Strategy to Practice, Supporting Access, Progression and Successful Outcomes in Disabled Student Communities (SAPSO), and Language Accessibility Promise. We will also be joined by external speakers.

Developing Skills and Capabilities for Learning

27 April 2027

The third STEP Online session will provide an opportunity to learn about the projects Regional Enhancement and Collaboration in Tertiary Scotland (REACTS), Transforming Assessment Policy and Practice in Scotland (TAPPS), and Understanding the Staff Development Landscape Required to Support Diverse Learner Journeys in the Tertiary Sector. We will also be joined up external speakers.

Delivering Tailored, Targeted, and Personalised Support

9 June 2027

At our final STEP Online session we will showcase the projects Pathways to Personal Support: A Collaborative Model for Tailored Guidance for STEM Students across the Scottish Tertiary System, Supporting Neurodivergent Students with Professional Dialogue in Work-Based Learning Settings, and Strategies to Support Student Engagement and Partnership Within an Increasingly Time-Poor and Cash-Poor Student Population. We will also be joined up external speakers.

STEP Symposium (STEP Ten)

26 January 2027

STEP Symposium (STEP Eleven)

17 March 2027

STEP Nine

27 October 2026

The STEP Network's first meeting of session 2026-27 will take place at The University of Edinburgh and will have a focus on reconnecting and welcoming new members. All project teams will have an opportunity to update the wider Network on their progress and seek engagement from colleagues. Teams will then have an opportunity to work together to progress their projects. Time will also be built in for networking and support.

STEP Twelve

25 May 2027

The STEP Network's final meeting of session 2026-27 will take place at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Our third annual STEP Conference will be held on Wednesday 26 May 2027 at Glasgow Caledonian University. Please save the date.

Further information will be published here in the coming weeks.