• Step Forward Researcher Development Programme

    Supports college staff to develop research skills that will enhance their practice and improve college and learner outcomes

    View the programme and register here
  • CDN Trauma-Informed College Programme

    The ambitious new Trauma-Informed College Programme is aimed at facilitating the creation of a trauma-informed culture in every college in Scotland.

    View the programme here
  • Enhancing learning together

    Step Forward is the CDN Research and Enhancement Centre’s new action research programme. Its purpose is to enhance practice across our colleges and develop the action research skills of college staff.

    View Step Forward here
  • Tune in to the Podcast series

    Research Matters Podcast Series hosted by the CDN Research and Engagement Team, shines a light on new and existing Reserach taking place in the Scottish college sector.

    Tune in here

CAIRN Journal

The CDN Research and Enhancement Centre hosts the Colleges Action Inquiry Research Network (CAIRN) Journal. 

The Journal aims to be an important voice in the scholarship of the Scottish college sector. It aims to provide a forum to disseminate innovation, knowledge and critical insights through a variety of scholarly submissions from active researchers in colleges. 

You can find out more and read previously published articles on the Journal’s web page below.

Find out more here

Aims and objectives of the CDN Research and Enhancement Centre

icon

To coordinate existing research and enquiry work in an easily accessible central location to allow key recommendations and themes to be displayed and explored

icon

To drive new research and enquiry in the Scottish college sector – ensuring it is relevant, applicable and useful

icon

To drive the improvement work emerging from the research, ensuring that the findings of any research are taken forward in a collaborative way for the enhancement of college progress and student success

How the CDN Research and Enhancement Centre will work:

icon

We will provide an information hub for existing published research relevant to Scotland’s colleges, keeping it up-to-date and drawing out key themes

icon

We will provide a framework for proposing new research and enquiry work, supporting and commissioning original research where appropriate

icon

We will support and drive the enhancement work arising from the research, working with networks and short-life working groups

Who we are

We are a small team dedicated to driving research and enquiry activity in Scotland’s colleges, to enhance performance and student success.

Victoria Underwood

Head of Leadership, Governance and Research (Mat Leave)


victoria.underwood@cdn.ac.uk

Gordon Hunt

Head of Leadership, Governance and Research (Mat Cover)


gordon.hunt@cdn.ac.uk

Neale Gardiner

Senior Manager: Research and Enhancement


neale.gardiner@cdn.ac.uk

Paula Christie

Lead: Research and Enhancement


paula.christie@cdn.ac.uk

Grant Ritchie

Fellow and Associate Director at CDN


How to get involved

Looking to get involved in Research? Look no further - contact us today!