Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Network

A network for staff interested in thinking, talking, reading, and writing about their teaching practice.

Aims of the SoTL Network

  • Provide opportunities for discussion and reflection about university learning and teaching (L&T)
  • Provide opportunities for reading and writing about university L&T
  • Support understanding of the education literature
  • Build a collaborative community of scholarly academics across the university, complementing existing networks within your discipline area
  • Support output of scholarly activities (in their various formats)

Who is this network for?

  • anyone and everyone interested in advancing their knowledge and skills in L&T
  • anyone interested in scholarly activities in L&T
  • current, past, and future participants of the Edinburgh Teaching Award Scheme
  • current, past, and future participants of the Principals’ Teaching Award Scheme
  • established education researchers looking to expand their network
  • learning technologists and learning designers
  • learning advisors and student support staff
  • early career staff and students
  • academics moving into leadership roles

Motivations for attending activities

  • Build peer support and networks; work through things together
  • Finding the space and time to complete scholarly works that are sitting on your to-do list
  • Learning to decode and understand education research jargon and theories
  • Learning how to develop research design and methodologies applicable to a range of educational experiences
  • Getting new ideas for teaching and research
  • Learning where to publish and share L&T work
  • Gaining evidence in scholarly continued professional development (Note: useful for those applying for the Edinburgh Teaching Award Scheme)

Upcoming Events & Activities

AY 2025-26, Semester 1

SoTL: Getting Started with SoTL: Join us to explore how to get started with Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. We will discuss the key concepts and practical advice needed to launch scholarly practices in higher education. ECRs and postgraduate students are particularly welcomed! We will draw upon the advice outlined in Peter Felten’s ‘Principles of Good Practice in SoTL’ (Link: https://doi.org/10.2979/teachlearninqu.1.1.121)

Date & timeTitleLocationPresenter(s)Staff Booking LinkStudent Booking Link
22nd Sep 2025 (12:00-13:30)SoTL: Getting started with SoTLOnline (via Microsoft Teams)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/3TYOZR8 https://edin.ac/3HzeWnM 

Previous Session: Getting Started with SoTL; Monday 17 July 2023, 12:00-13:30; Dr Jacqueline Dohaney; Media Hopper Recording

 

SoTL: Decoding the Literature:  In these seminars, we will unpack one scholarly piece of work that is relevant across many areas of learning and teaching. The presenter will begin by summarising the piece, giving the attendees a general sense of what the piece is about. A discussion will follow where attendees can ask questions and continue to unpack how this research may be applied in practice.

All Decoding seminars are recorded in case you cannot attend on the day. Please see past recordings at the bottom of this page. 

Date & timeTitleLocationPresenter(s)Staff Booking LinkStudent Booking Link
09th Oct 2025 (12:00-13:30)SoTL: Decoding the literature - Embedding communication in your curriculumOnline (via Microsoft Teams)Dr Jacqueline Dohaney; Dr Andre Phillips https://edin.ac/40B02Ug https://edin.ac/4oWGRyu 
27th Nov 2025 (14:30-16:00)SoTL: Decoding the literature - Empathy and sustainability educationOnline (via Microsoft Teams)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/44MrLnn https://edin.ac/45CaxcR 

 

SoTL: Reading & Writing about Teaching: In these sessions (both online and in-person), attendees will have dedicated time and space to read and write about their teaching. The sessions will be run similarly to the Shut-Up-And-Write format beginning with goal setting, followed by writing-OR-reading-only chunks, and ending with a brief reflection. If you don’t know where to start, a prepared reading list will be shared with attendees. We will encourage attendees to talk with each other, cultivating a sense of support and community. In-person sessions will be longer and located at different campuses across Edinburgh.

Date & timeTitleLocationPresenter(s)Staff Booking LinkStudent Booking Link
01st Oct 2025 (10:00-11:30)SoTL: Reading and Writing about Teaching - OnlineOnline (via Microsoft Teams)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/4lMfCFd https://edin.ac/41tlET0 
07th Oct 2025 (10:00-16:00)SoTL: Reading and Writing about Teaching - In-personOutreach Centre, Room: B1.04 (Holyrood)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/44MJfQB https://edin.ac/4n4jYaW 
23rd Oct 2025 (10:00-16:00)SoTL: Reading and Writing about Teaching - In-personMurchison House, Room: G.04 (Kings Buildings)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/4m50CSu https://edin.ac/4muCs4k 
04th Nov 2025 (10:00-11:30)SoTL: Reading and Writing about Teaching - OnlineOnline (via Microsoft Teams)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/4mc77CU https://edin.ac/3UOrRFq 
12th Nov 2025 (10:00-16:00)SoTL: Reading and Writing about Teaching - In-personEFI, Room: 1.62 (Central Area)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/46tE21q https://edin.ac/41pkrMv 
02nd Dec 2025 (14:30-16:00)SoTL: Reading and Writing about Teaching - OnlineOnline (via Microsoft Teams)Dr Jacqueline Dohaneyhttps://edin.ac/46YuH1x https://edin.ac/4lPfkwn 

How do I join?

If you would like to join the mailing list, please contact the IAD Learning and Teaching support team:

Learning and teaching support

Contact details

The privacy statement for IAD mailing lists is available here  IAD privacy statement for mailing lists here

Want to learn more about SoTL?

Visit our IAD SoTL page with further information: Scholarship of Teaching & Learning page

Additionally, as people venture into practising scholarly L&T, they may need specific questions answered or support within their practice area.

Please contact Jackie Dohaney (Lecturer, University Teaching Enhancement) for one-on-one conversations.

Dr Jacqueline Dohaney

Lecturer, University Teaching Enhancement

Contact details

Previous SoTL events and resources

 

Date & topic: Monday 7th July 2025, SoTL: Decoding the literature: Inclusive assessment 

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Thursday 8th May 2025, SoTL: Decoding the literature: Sense of belonging 

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development; Speaker - Dr Brittany Blankinship, Lecturer in Data Science, Usher Institute 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Wednesday 26th March 2025, SoTL: Decoding the literature: Teacher excellence and time ownership 

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development; Speaker - Dr Duncan Sneddon, Lecturer in Celtic and Scottish Studies

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Thursday 6th February 2025, SoTL: Decoding the literature: Mattering and wellbeing at university 

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 11th November 2024, SoTL: Decoding the literature - Multicultural group work

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development; Presenter - Lesley Kelly, Institute for Academic Development 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Tuesday 1st October 2024, SoTL: Decoding the literature - Decolonising curriculum and pedagogy

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development.

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Thursday 25th April 2024, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Managing group work

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development. Invited speaker is Professor Hannah Chalmers from the School of Engineering.

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Wednesday 27th March 2024, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Flipped learning

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Tuesday 27th February 2024, SoTL: Decoding the Literature - Feedback literacy

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 29th January 2024, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Beliefs about lecturing 

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Wednesday 22nd November 2023, SoTL: Decoding the Literature - Students' basic needs

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 23rd October 2023, SoTL: Decoding the Literature - Scaffolding 

Speakers: Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Tuesday 19th September 2023, SoTL: Decoding the Literature - Virtual laboratory simulations

Speakers: Presented by Dr Céline Caquineau, Facilitated by Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development 

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Tuesday 27th June 2023, Supporting inquiry into student learning: the hands-on Utrecht Roadmap for SoTL (UR-SoTL)

Speakers: Associate Professor Irma Meijerman, Centre for Academic Teaching and Learning, Utrecht University

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 22 May 2023, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Assessing transferable skills

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 10 April 2023, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Independent learning

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 27 February 2023, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Curriculum development and design

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 30 January 2023, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Retention of university students

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 28 November 2022, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Project-based learning

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 17 October 2022, SoTL: Qualitative education research methods

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Tuesday 27 September 2022, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Cognitive load and effective learning design

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 2 May 2022, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Interactive vs Traditional Lecturing

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Recording: Media Hopper

 

Date & topic: Monday 27th June 2022, SoTL: Decoding the Literature: Debunking Learning Styles

Speakers: Dr Jacqueline Dohaney, Institute for Academic Development

Files: Decoding the Literature: Debunking Learning Styles

Recording: Media Hopper

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