The “wicked problems” of learning and teaching in the twenty-first century require local, collaborative, and interdisciplinary inquiry (Bass, 2020). Inspired by the success of the first CTL-supported collaborative scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) research study on ChatGPT, the CTL has created an innovative program to foster collaborative SoTL research among faculty on campus to address inclusive excellence in teaching, learning, and student success.
Announcing the 2025-2026 Collaborative SoTL Scholars!
Anna Marie LaChance
Lecturer
Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering
Andrew Spracklen
Lecturer
Biology, College of Natural Sciences
Andrea Ayvazian
Senior Lecturer
Community Health Education, School of Public Health and Health Sciences
Lena Fletcher
Senior Lecturer
Environmental Conservation, College of Natural Sciences
Shirley Shmerling
Senior Lecturer
Operations and Information Management, Isenberg School of Management
This dedicated group of scholars will be working towards defining and designing their SoTL research project during the Spring 2025 semester for implementation in AY26.
What is The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)?
SoTL is iterative, systematic inquiry into processes of student learning and experience in your course with the goal of improving those processes to benefit you, your students, and your local community (i.e., department, college, school, university). SoTL is conducted by faculty in any discipline and is informed by the broader literature on teaching and student learning in higher education but meant to provide actionable insights—hence why some disciplines call it “action research.”
SoTL Studies Examples
While there are principles of good practice in SoTL, the research can look different in different disciplines.
What is Collaborative SoTL Scholars program?
This innovative faculty learning community will support 5 UMass faculty members over three semesters to collaboratively design and implement a teaching-based research project focused on ways that our classroom practice can support the success of all students, including attracting, retaining, and supporting diverse or marginalized students in your disciplines. Within this broad focus, there are three possible inquiry areas in which the final selected group of Scholars will focus:
- Assessment and grading practices.
- Student participation and engagement.
- Peer interactions and collaboration on assignments.
Applicants to the program will rank their top choices for areas of inquiry focus, and the final cohort will be chosen based on alignment of interests, diversity of disciplines
Program Goals
The Collaborative SoTL Scholars program is intended for faculty interested in working together to improve their teaching through inquiry and research, regardless of prior experience with scholarship on teaching and learning.
As a UMass CTL SoTL Scholar, you will...
- Work collaboratively with a team of other faculty to design, complete, and present on a scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) study on a critical teaching issue at UMass.
- Experience and benefit from equitable research collaboration to enhance and re-invigorate your teaching, research, and professional skills.
- Create meaningful and actionable interventions in your own classes that benefit not only your students, but also other instructors and instructional leaders at UMass.
- Join a community of faculty dedicated to centering and highlighting the experiences and perspective of UMass students in teaching and learning, especially those with historically marginalized and minoritized identities.
- Share results of your scholarly work with your UMass community.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
We seek faculty on tenure- and non-tenure tracks with continuous appointment. All applicants should have active teaching responsibilities in AY25-26. Selection criteria include:
- Strong desire and likelihood for success in engaging in equitable, collaborative research.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching and student success.
- Value collaborating with faculty across disciplines around teaching. Desire to focus on at least one of 3 critical areas related to inclusive excellence and student success within their own courses:
- Assessment and grading practices.
- Student participation and engagement.
- Peer interactions and collaboration on assignments.
In addition to individual requirements, the final team of scholars will be chosen to represent a diverse range of disciplines and courses.
Program Components
- Phase 1 (December 2024-May 2025):
- Attend the welcome session (one half day in December 2024; in person).
- Complete a 2-day SoTL Sprint (January 2025; online).
- Participate in 3-4 working meetings per semester (Spring 2025 – Spring 2026).
- Create and submit a research and IRB proposal (May 2025).
- Phase 2 (August 2025-May 2026):
- Implement the proposed SotL study within your class.
- Collect and analyze data.
- Participate in a CTL panel presentation in Fall 2025.
- Share results of inquiry with your teaching community in Spring 2026.
- Complete a program survey about your experience.
Support
Fellows will receive $1200, paid in two stipends upon completion of the first and second stage of the program.
Application
Applications for the next cohort will be available Spring 2026.
