Scottish First Year Experience Network (SFYEN)

The Scottish First Year Experience Network (SFYEN) is a collaborative effort drawn from across the Scottish higher education sector that focuses on enhancing the transition, engagement, and outcomes of first-year students (Hogan et al, 2024). The primary aim of the network is to work collaboratively to share experiences and initiatives that promote a positive and supportive first-year experience across Scotland. The network aims to share and debate innovative pedagogical approaches, student-centered programmes, and a holistic perspective through the following issues:

* Student Transitions focused upon fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring the successful start of the students' academic journey.
* Student Life considers students with differing characteristics from commuting students to international students.
* Student Wellbeing focuses on building supportive environments that meet both physical and mental health and wellbeing needs.
From these aims we have developed a theory of change to conceptualise the eventual outcomes and impacts of this work. Following the model outlined by TASO (2023) we identified the following short term and medium-term outcomes:
* Short term. Formation of working collaborations across the Scottish college and university sector with some agreed terminology and sharing of practice to enhance the student experience at individual institutions.
* Medium term. Closer working relationships between different sectors that feed into higher education and between different higher education providers (e.g. colleges and universities). Evidence of positive impact on the student experience of their first year e.g. increased confidence, retention, progression, well-being and belonging.

It was felt that longer-term outcomes should be determined from the collective work of the group. It is anticipated that through the collective work of the network and the evidence gathered the network will have the potential to impact policy locally and nationally. We hope that the main impact of this work will be a more positive student experience with increased student wellbeing and potentially an increase in sector student retention and outcomes. Other impacts are improved attainment and progression, a reduction in attainment gaps between different groups of students with regards to attainment, progression and retention and finally closer working relationships across the Tertiary sector.

This show and tell session will outline the vision, theory of change and showcase the initial inputs and outputs of the network with a focus on future developments.

Summary
The Scottish First Year Experience Network (SFYEN) aims to enhance first-year student transitions, engagement, and outcomes across Scotland. It focuses on student transitions, life, and wellbeing, fostering collaboration among institutions. Short-term goals include shared practices, while medium-term goals involve improved student experiences and closer sector relationships, ultimately influencing policy and student success.

Main Message
To present the vision and theory of change of the Scottish First Year Experience Network (SFYEN). It highlights the network’s collaborative efforts to enhance first-year student experiences across Scotland, showcasing initial initiatives and future developments aimed at improving student transitions, engagement, and wellbeing through a practitioner-led approach.