Appointed External Examiners
Thank you for joining Heriot-Watt University as an External Examiner. This page has information and links to all of the resources you will need while working with us including Key Resources, Frequently Asked Questions, Heriot-Watt University Terminology, Introductory Briefings, and Primary Contacts.
Please note: Dubai Campus/Middle East Conflict External Examiner guidance
A briefing session for External Examiners giving guidance on the actions the University has taken to mitigate the academic impact of the conflict in the Middle East and recent industrial action was recorded on 26 April 2026.
Please:
- Bookmark this page as your one-stop-shop for all the materials you need to support you in your role;
- Note your Primary Contact's details below
- Read the Handbook on External Examining for Taught Programmes;
- Familiarise yourself with the location of your Individual External Examiner folder, the VLE (Canvas), and Curriculum Explorer and others using the Key Resources.
If you have trouble getting access, see the 'Accessing HWU systems' FAQ, below.
- Handbook: Handbook on External Examining for Taught Programmes
- Your Individual External Examiner folder on our intranet (SharePoint) contains exam papers for review, the course review forms you need to complete, and scans of exam scripts.
- Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas) hosts the courses you are assigned. Coursework assignments are posted and students upload their submissions. Detailed guides to navigating Canvas and reviewing materials in Canvas and the Gradescope app, can be found here:
- Curriculum explorer contains summaries of our programmes and courses.
- Regulations: Heriot-Watt University Regulations
- Travel and Expenses: See Travel and Expenses Policy and Visitor expenses claim form. Please submit completed expenses claims to externalexaminerstaught@hw.ac.uk
- Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): UK Quality Code: Advice and Guidance: External Expertise
Primary Contacts
At different stages in your work with Heriot-Watt University you will be interacting with various teams, but you will also have one person who will be your primary contact for your whole appointment. Should you have any questions then please reach out to your school primary contact below.
Global College
Tim Burns
- t.burns@hw.ac.uk
- Address
School of Social Sciences (including EBS)
Emma Williams
- e.williams@hw.ac.uk
- Address
School of Textiles and Design
Gayle Poddubecki
- Address
School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS)
Naomi Smith
- n.t.smith@hw.ac.uk
- Address
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Georgina Baird
- g.baird@hw.ac.uk
- Address
School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Jill Gunn
- j.p.gunn@hw.ac.uk
- Address