Please see, below, a message from Philippa Thompson and Alex Sabine, ECSDN Co-chairs regarding the postponing of the network meeting this coming Friday.

Dear all

We are aware that there was an ECSDN meeting planned for this Friday 12th March 2021. However, on reflection we have decided that it would be best to postpone any meetings until May when hopefully some of the intense pressure in HEI’s has shifted a little. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. Many of you will be working on the Birth to Five Matters coalition at the moment and also looking forward to the next ECSDN conference on Friday 23rd April (look out for more information coming soon).

Could we also ask you to consider being part of the advisory panel for the review of the early childhood studies subject benchmark statements, if you have not done so already. There is a link available (below) but the deadline is set at this Friday 12th March. If you are interested but can’t hit the very short deadline please email philippa.thompson@shu.ac.uk who can advise further. Please check your HEI is a member of QAA first if possible and which areas (listed below) you would be interested in supporting – more than one would be great as the panel would be between 6-18 members only.

https://www.qaa.ac.uk//en/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements/call-for-expressions-of-interest-to-join-advisory-groups-for-qaa-subject-benchmark-statements

Areas to discuss
• How has the SBS been received and used
• Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Enterprise
• Decolonisation
• Apprenticeships
• Teaching & Learning might include digital/blended learning (lessons from COVID)
• Balancing aspiration and practicality

Key stakeholders required for advisory group
• 4 Nations
• Academics from QAA member organisations
• PSRBs where relevant
• Subject Associations

Many thanks and look forward to catching up with everyone in April and May when hopefully both the weather and the pandemic are beginning to look a bit more hopeful.

Kind regards

Philippa Thompson and Alex Sabine
Co-chairs ECSDN