Resource Centre Events

Pop along to the Resource Centre in Paterson's Land and join our free events. These events are for our community of lifelong learners who take courses at the Centre for Open Learning (COL). No booking required, simply come along and join us.

Regular Events 

If you’re new to Canvas or don’t feel confident with technology, our Resource Centre Assistants can support you one-to-one. 

Simply bring your device to the Resource Centre the next time you are on campus. The team are available to help Monday to Thursday 10.15–19.15 or Friday 13:15–16:15.  

They will guide you through the basics, so you can focus on enjoying your course. 

 


Join our Conversation Circles and enjoy developing your language skills with a friendly and supportive group. All sessions are in the Resource Centre – no booking required, simply come along and join in. 

BSL Conversation Circle with Carri Neilson and Zayne Thomson 

  • Wednesday 28 October 15:00 – 16:00 A2 (Elementary) and above 
  • Thursday 29 October 14:00 – 15:00 A1 (Beginners) 
  • Wednesday 17 February 15:00 – 16:00 A2 (Elementary) and above 
  • Thursday 18 February 14:00 – 15:00 A1 (Beginners) 
  • Wednesday 12 May 15:00 – 16:00 A2 (Elementary) and above 
  • Thursday 13 May 14:00 – 15:00 A1 (Beginners) 

 

German Conversation Circle with Susanne Tauber and Jeannette Rissmann 

  • Thursday 5 November 16:30 – 17:30 B1 (Intermediate) and above 
  • Thursday 5 November 18:00 – 19:00 A1 (Beginners) and A2 (Elementary) 
  • Tuesday 9 March 16:00 – 17:00 B1 (Intermediate) and above 
  • Thursday 11 March 18:00 – 19:00 A1 (Beginners) and A2 (Elementary) 
  • Thursday 27 May 16:30 – 17:30 B1 (Intermediate) and above 
  • Thursday 27 May 18:00 – 19:00 A1 (Beginners) and A2 (Elementary) 

 

Italian Conversation Circle with Michela Talin 

  • Monday 9 November 16:15 – 17:15 A1 (Beginners) and A2 (Elementary) 
  • Monday 17 May 16:00 – 17:00 B1 (Intermediate) and above 

 

Japanese Conversation Circle with Michela Talin 

  • Wednesday 14 October 16:30 – 17:15 All levels welcome 
  • Wednesday 10 February 16:30 – 17:15 All levels welcome 
  • Wednesday 19 May 16:30 – 17:15 All levels welcome 

 

Swahili Conversation Circle with Seline Okeno 

  • Thursday 22 October 17:15 – 18:15 All levels welcome 
  • Thursday 25 February 17:15 – 18:15 All levels welcome 
  • Thursday 20 May 17:15 – 18:15 All levels welcome 

Gaelic conversation circle open to all. Come and join us for a cuppa and a chat! 

Cothrom còmhraidh fosgailte do gach duine. Thig còmhla rinn airson cabadaich is srùbag! 

  • Thursday 10 September 11:00 – 12:00 
  • Thursday 24 September 11:00 – 12:00 
  • Thursday 8 October 11:00 – 12:00 
  • Thursday 29 October 11:00 – 12:00 
  • Thursday 12 November 11:00 – 12:00 
  • Thursday 26 November 11:00 – 12:00 
  • Thursday 10 December 11:00 – 12:00 

A new Gaelic book club in Edinburgh, run by Annabel Harrison. Every fortnight, the group will meet to discuss a Gaelic book they are reading.  

These sessions are ideal for intermediate learners to fluent speakers. Come and dive into some Gaelic literature! 

A copy of the book can be purchased directly through the group leader, Annabel Harrison, or through the Gaelic Books Council website. Contact Annabel@gaelicbooks.org for more information. 

  • Thursday 1 October 11:00 – 12:00 and repeated at 12:30 – 13:30 
  • Thursday 22 October 11:00 – 12:00 and repeated at 12:30 – 13:30 
  • Thursday 5 November 11:00 – 12:00 and repeated at 12:30 – 13:30 
  • Thursday 19 November 11:00 – 12:00 and repeated at 12:30 – 13:30 
  • Thursday 3 December 11:00 – 12:00 and repeated at 12:30 – 13:30 

Buidheann-leughaidh Gàidhlig ùr ann an Dùn Èideann, air a lìbhrigeadh le Annabel Harrison. Gach cola-deug, bidh am buidheann a’ coinneachadh gus bruidhinn mu leabhar a tha iad a’ leughadh. 

Tha na seiseanan freagarrach do luchd-ionnsachaidh eadar-mheadhanach agus fileantaich. Thèid ur bogadh ann an litreachas na Gàidhlig! 

Faodar an leabhar a cheannach bho stiùiriche a’ bhuidhinn, Annabel Harrison, no tro làrach-lìn Comhairle nan Leabhraichean. 

Cuir fios gu Annabel aig gaelicbooks.org airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh. 


Join us for The First Page, led by Rolland Man, teacher in Film Studies, Literature and Drama at the Centre for Open Learning. 

Rolland will share the first page of an un-named book with you. From the first page only, you’ll discuss what that fragment evokes. What kind of book is it? What genre does it belong to? Where might the story go from here? And most important, does it make us want to continue reading? 

This is a welcoming, supportive space for discovering new writers and sharing ideas about literature and readers’ expectations. No booking needed, just come along and take part.  

  • Thursday 8 October 13:30 – 14:30 
  • Thursday 5 November 13:30 – 14:30 
  • Thursday 3 December 13:30 – 14:30 
  • Thursday 28 January 13:15 – 14:15 
  • Thursday 25 February 13:15 – 14:15 
  • Thursday 25 March 13:15 – 14:15 
  • Thursday 29 April 13:15 – 14:15 
  • Thursday 27 May 13:15 – 14:15 
  • Thursday 24 June 13:15 – 14:15 

Join Marc di Tommasi, History Teacher at the Centre for Open Learning, for a new history discussion group exploring the hidden corners of the past. 

Each session takes a surprising, lesser-known story as a starting point for conversation. No specialist knowledge is needed: just curiosity and a willingness to share your own connections to the topic. What do these overlooked histories reveal about the societies that produced them, and what might they still have to say about our world today? 

Before each session, you're warmly invited to bring one thing that the topic sparks for you — a memory, a poem, a news story, a family anecdote, a fact you half-remember. There are no right answers, and no preparation is required beyond following your own curiosity. 

No booking needed, just come along and take part.  

  • Wednesday 7 October 13:30 – 14:30 | War, memory and identity in modern Europe 

  • Wednesday 4 November 13:30 – 14:30 | Pandemics past and present 

  • Wednesday 3 February 13:30 – 14:30 | Women at work: everyday lives before modern times 

  • Wednesday 3 March 13:30 – 14:30 | The hidden history of the letter 

  • Wednesday 5 May 13:30 – 14:30 | Paws for thought: cats in our imagination 

  • Wednesday 2 June 13:30 – 14:30 | The making of modern menswear  

Do you have questions about finding materials, reading lists, or using the library? Do you prefer to search online for help with your assignments but want to make sure you’re doing it correctly?  

Pop in to the Resource Centre for a chat with our friendly librarian SarahLouise, who will help you improve your search skills, locate key texts, and get the most out of the library services.  

No appointment needed, just drop-in to the Resource Centre on:  

Wednesday 30 September 13:00 – 15:00  
Wednesday 28 October 13:00 – 15:00 
Wednesday 25 November 13:00 – 15:00  

Wednesday 27 January 13:00 – 15:00  
Wednesday 24 February 13:00 – 15:00  
Wednesday 17 March 13:00 – 15:00  
Wednesday 28 April 13:00 – 15:00  
Wednesday 26 May 13:00 – 15:00  

You can also contact SarahLouise directly for help outside these times on sarahlouise.mcdonald@ed.ac.uk  


Displays, Festivals and Workshops

February 2027 

Join us for a vibrant one-day festival celebrating the rich multilingualism and cultural diversity within our campus community and beyond. Free and open to all staff, students and learners.  


Monday 22 – Sunday 28 February 2027 

Held in conjunction with World Gaelic Week, an international festival connecting people across the globe to promote Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic Week Edinburgh – Seachdain Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann – will take place at venues across the city, including the Centre for Open Learning.  

Events are open to all – from Gaelic enthusiasts to those looking to gain more of an understanding of the language and culture.  

Click here for more information Gaelic Week Edinburgh 


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