Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is a common term in the sector which relates to the use of enquiry-led teaching and learning (T&L) practice in improving student outcomes and success. This can include engagement in the existing knowledge of T&L, developing ideas and innovation in practice, reflections on your own practice, undertaking research and evaluation, and sharing of your scholarship publicly.
Under the leadership of the Associate Deans Learning, Teaching and Student Success, Associate Heads aligned to staff development and Profs/Associate Professors T&L, those with an interest in T&L are invited come together in SoTL networks to explore current practices and future aspirations, including funded projects and support for CPD. The SoTL 3-stage plan and its anticipated outcomes were launched in January 2025 and we continue to grow our SoTL @ SHU Network.
STAGE 1: To be SoTL-Confident: January 2025 (launch) followed by a six-month programme of activity and support to build "SoTL-Confidence"
STAGE 2: To be SoTL-Active: From September 2025 SoTL Projects at module and course level across the three colleges. July 2026 LTA Conference to showcase and disseminate work so far.
STAGE 3: To be SoTL-Superstars: From September 2026 cross-college and interdisciplinary projects are the norm, projects span from module level to institution-wide. Outputs range across the full SoTL Staircase (Beckingham, 2023).
If you'd like to know who your College Leadership contacts are for T&L, please visit our College LTA Support page.
