Student illustrators

Teaching Matters blog has an ongoing opportunity for University of Edinburgh students to showcase their artwork. There is also a one-off opportunity for the Learning and Teaching Conference 2026.

Learning and Teaching Conference 2026 - a unique student illustration opportunity

The Learning and Teaching Conference organising team are looking for an original design to brand the 2026 University of Edinburgh’s Learning and Teaching Conference. 

For students who are interested, you would need to submit, via email to lt.conference@ed.ac.uk, a few sketches and ideas of your illustration based on the conference description (see below). Then, the Organising Team will review submissions, and select one illustrator. 

The selected illustrator will be paid £200 for their work, and would agree to their illustration being used on the conference’s various promotional material. This is an exciting opportunity to have your work featured on one of the University’s most important annual conferences. 

The title of the conference is ‘Student Voice in Learning and Teaching: What is possible?.

To help provide context for the illustration, the Conference will be themed around the following themes:

  • Creating a sense of belonging through Student Voice;
  • Navigating and creating spaces for critical Student Voice;
  • Empowering Student Representatives, from Programme and School Representatives, to societies and beyond;
  • From hearing Student Voice to acting on Student Voice;
  • Over-coming barriers to Student Voice initiatives

The deadline for applying would be 5pm Wednesday 14 January 2026. 

Any questions, please email Jenny Scoles at lt.conference@ed.ac.uk

creative illustrations of trees and people on pages of an open book
Original illustration by Li-Yi Huang, Edinburgh College of Art student for Teaching Matters' COP26 Theme

Teaching Matters blog illustrations - details of the opportunity

Teaching Matters is The University of Edinburgh’s website, blog and podcast for reflection, debate and sharing good practice in learning and teaching. We have a steadily growing readership with around 7,000 views per month.  

We are looking to showcase University of Edinburgh student illustrations that will speak to one of our Teaching Matters blog or podcast themes. Students will have the opportunity to either create one original artwork or provide an existing piece from their portfolio. We welcome a range of styles and mediums including illustration, graphic design, photography, etc. By collaborating with staff at the Institute for Academic Development, students will gain valuable insights into how blogging serves as a tool for communicating about the theory and practice of teaching and learning.

Token of our appreciation: £50 Blackwells gift voucher

This opportunity is open throughout the academic year.

University of Edinburgh students: Send a sample of your artwork and/or website along with a short statement (max 200 words) explaining what you hope to learn from this experience to teachingmatters@ed.ac.uk.

Examples of Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) student illustrations on Teaching Matters:

Teaching Matters blog post - Unpacking diversity in postgraduate taught programmes

Teaching Matters blog post - Open e-Textbooks for access to music education

Questions? Contact the blog’s editor Jenny at teachingmatters@ed.ac.uk. 

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