Access Programme - Teaching Fellow Appointments

Next month we'll welcome the first students to our part-time Access programme at COL. This exciting new programme will provide the skills, confidence and qualifications to study for a degree and is primarlily aimed at those who may not have completed Highers, A-levels or an equivalent qualification and have had a continuous gap of at least three years in their formal education.

Ahead of the launch, we’re delighted to share details of the recent appointment of the Teaching Fellows who will help deliver the programme:  

Nicholas Devison (Art and Design)

Nicholas trained at Wimbledon School of Art and holds an MA in Fine Art Printmaking from Camberwell College of Arts (2000). Nick has a wealth of Access and Adult Education experience from his time as Course Leader for MA Fine Art and MA Printmaking at Anglia Ruskin University and from teaching at Edinburgh Printmakers, Napier University, Leith School of Art and most recently here at COL.

Deirdre Macleod (Art and Design)

Following 15 years working in Educational Policy, Deirdre gradually returned to art, initially through evening classes here at COL, before finally joining the full-time Painting BA (Hons). Deidre has taught for City of Edinburgh Council in Adult and Community Education, as a visiting lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art and as Teaching Fellow at COL. 

Deirdre and Nicholas will share responsibility for the programme’s Art and Design strand.

John Gordon (Humanities and Social Sciences)

John has devoted much of his career to widening participation in education. John has a PhD in Philosophy and a first degree in Economics. He has broad experience from across Humanities and Social Science and in the design and delivery of Access provision, making him perfectly placed to lead this strand. John teaches on COL’s Short Courses, Summer School and International Foundation Programme and has recently been preparing for the Access programme launch.  

Brian McGrail (Social Sciences)

Brian holds a PhD in Political Economics and is an experienced and committed educator and academic. Brian teaches for the Open University and at COL on our Short Courses, Summer School and International Foundation Programme. He’s recently been working to prepare the Access Social Sciences courses in advance of the programme launch.

Emily Goetsch (Humanities)

Emily holds a PhD in History of Art (2014) and MSc in History of Art, Theory and Display (2009) from University of Edinburgh and is currently working as a Teaching Fellow in Architectural History. Emily has been heavily involved in Widening Participation at the University, working closely with colleagues across disciplines to make university education more accessible to those from all backgrounds.

With a great team now in place, under the line management of James Mooney (Access and Outreach Development Director),  we’re looking forward to welcoming our students and supporting them on their journey towards undergraduate study and beyond. 

For more information about the Access programme, please visit the Access website. 

Access programme