ScotPEN 2026 Elections 

ScotPEN brings together professionals, researchers, and practitioners from across Scotland who are passionate about meaningful engagement. Our elected representatives play a vital role in guiding the network’s direction, championing inclusive practices, and helping us strengthen connections across sectors.

We’re pleased to announce that nominations for the upcoming ScotPEN Elections will open on the 15th January 2026. This is an exciting moment for our community as we look to shape the next phase of the network’s development.

Why Stand for Election?

Becoming an elected representative offers a chance to:

• Help steer the strategic vision of ScotPEN
• Support the growth of an inclusive, collaborative public engagement community
• Shape activities, programmes, and resources that benefit practitioners across Scotland
• Develop leadership experience while working alongside a supportive group of peers

Election timeline: 

• Nominations open – 15th January 2026
• Nominations close – 19th February 2026
• Voting opens – 5th March 2026
• Voting closes – 19th March 2026
• Elected members contacted and new committee announced by 26th March 2026
• New committee formally take over at ScotPEN Annual Gathering on 23rd April 2026 in Edinburgh.  

Nomination eligibility 

To nominate yourself or someone else for a position on the ScotPEN Committee you must have signed up to the network via our new online form. 

Nominees will require a second nomination to be put forward to stand. People can be nominated for multiple positions, but if elected to one the nomination for others will be withdrawn. Nominees in this position will be asked in advance of the voting process what their preferred position is and if they want to stand in the first place.

Voting eligibility 

Only those on the new membership list collected through our online form will be contacted and invited to vote. Please make sure you have signed up! 

ScotPEN committee roles and responsibilities

Chair
Responsibilities: Chairing committee meetings, collating items for agendas, overseeing committee outputs, facilitating elections.

Secretary
Responsibilities: Maintaining the membership database for the network with the support of the ScotPEN Administrative Assistant. Circulating ScotPEN communications via email and liaising with communications role.

Communications
Responsibilities: Ensuring all communications channels (e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook, Bluesky, website, mailing list) are kept up to date and being used to their best ability. Oversee any volunteers recruited to contribute to comms.

Annual Gathering Co-ordinator
Responsibilities: Organising the annual gathering, consulting with membership re: gathering sessions, training, etc. Oversee any volunteers recruited to help with AG.

Lunch & Learn Co-ordinator
Responsibilities: Coordinating the monthly Lunch & Learn sessions which will incorporate practice sharing with the original ScotPEN journal club. This re-imagined role will support the programme of events and chairing meetings, with support from the ScotPEN Administrator. 

Ordinary member
Responsibilities: The Ordinary Member does not have strictly prescribed responsibilities. It enables more members to work with the committee and represent a wide range of viewpoints and backgrounds.

International member
Responsibilities: An Ordinary Member based outside of the UK who supports cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange. Putting ScotPEN in the global context.

Non-elected

Standing Member (Public Engagement with Research Manager, Edinburgh Research Office at the University of Edinburgh)
Responsibilities: Line management of ScotPEN Administrator, NCCPE Funding budget holder, Data Protection Impact Assessment owner, signatory to ScotPEN/NCCPE Data Sharing Agreement, responsible for supporting ScotPEN digital infrastructure including: website domain registration, website hosting and access permissions, setting up @scotpen.org email addresses, managing Lastpass account and Eventbrite account

Working groups – Committee members are invited to create working groups around particular tasks or areas identified by the committee or the membership. Working group membership is open to all ScotPEN members and will be invited through social media and mailing list announcements. It is expected working groups will be active for a set amount of time and then wrap up when their work is concluded.

Committee positions will be held for two years and are open to all individuals working in or delivering public engagement in Scotland. We encourage members from all areas of public engagement including arts and humanities, STEM subjects, the heritage sector, community engagement and especially those outwith higher education institutions.

NOMINATIONS WILL OPEN ON THE 15TH JANUARY AND WE WILL UPLOAD THE FORM HERE! WATCH THIS SPACE.