What is SoTL?
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) involves investigating how students learn and/or teaching practices, and sharing these insights to improve teaching practices more broadly. Beyond keeping up to date with disciplinary advances, it encourages staff to reflect on and evaluate their own teaching, apply new ideas, and contribute to their discipline’s teaching community. Engaging in SoTL can take many forms, and result in outputs such as publishing research findings or case studies, presenting at conferences, peer reviewing journal manuscripts, writing reviews and other scholarly pieces. At UNSW, staff are encouraged to engage in SoTL in ways that align with their role, helping to enrich student learning and strengthen teaching quality across the university.
Why should UNSW academics engage in SoTL?
Engaging in SoTL has benefits that extend to students, staff, and the wider university community. By adopting evidence-based approaches, academics can enhance their teaching and improve student learning outcomes and experiences. SoTL also supports career development, providing opportunities for recognition, promotion, and professional growth. Contributing to SoTL demonstrates leadership in education, positioning academics as scholarly leaders who shape practice within their discipline. It allows staff to build a strong teaching profile, share insights with colleagues, and influence how learning is designed and delivered. Ultimately, engaging in SoTL ensures that teaching is reflective, innovative, and grounded in research, helping to create a richer, more effective learning experience for students.
How can UNSW engage?
UNSW offers a range of opportunities for staff to engage with SoTL and showcase their work. Specific examples include professional development workshops, a SoTL series for dissemination of SoTL outputs, and several programs to develop journal reviewing skills. Academics can also contribute blog pieces to the UNSW education blog, as well as conference abstracts, both of which provide accessible ways to share ideas and reflect on teaching practice. There are opportunities to present at higher education conferences, where educators can connect with peers and contribute to broader sector conversations about learning and teaching. With resources, mentoring, and support available, staff at all career stages are encouraged to explore these pathways and strengthen their impact on student learning and teaching practice. More information can be found on SoTL Opportunities.
