INTRODUCTION
Fiona Smart , Edinburgh Napier University
As proud as we should be of SHED ’ s 25th birthday , SHED ’ s longevity is only part of its story . It is a community which continues to thrive as the context of higher education shifts and reforms . It offers a space for individuals enacting roles which seek to support and enhance academic practice across the nineteen institutions which make up its number . Importantly , SHED provides a place for us to gather , to talk , to share , to debate and to be . The poem which concludes this publication , inspired by its foreword , is testament to this . Entitled ‘ Wha ’ s Like Us ?’ it recognises change over time and SHED ’ s capacity to endure and to flourish . The three poetic forms which precede ‘ Wha ’ s Like Us ’ adopt the ‘ rules ’ of poetic transcription with a twist 1 to shine different lights on the detail of the foreword . Penned by three different authors , there is remarkable similarity in how they see SHED ’ s journey to maturity .
The case studies offer insight into the different ways in which educational development plays out in our Scottish context . Each one provides a window to better understand our collective practice .
My hope is that you enjoy the collection and that as you explore the cases you appreciate still further the difference we can and do make to the student experience , directly or indirectly .
Dr Fiona Smart , PFHEA Department of Learning and Teaching Enhancement
Edinburgh Napier University SHED ’ s Convenor
1 Poetic transcription with a twist : supporting early career academics through liminal spaces DOI : 10.1080 / 1360144X . 2016.1210519
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Celebrating 25 years of SHED