Become a SoTL Scholar
The CTE, in partnership with the Office of the Vice-Provost for Research, is pleased to announce a new research opportunity for faculty: The SoTL Scholars Co-op.
Below are details for the 2024-2026 cycle. Pending funding decisions for a 2025-2027 cycle, dates below will be updated and new applications will be linked and active. Please check back!
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What is SoTL?
SoTL is the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, a specific field dedicated to exploring the efficacy and impact of teaching and learning methods in higher education.
The SoTL Scholars Co-op will collectively determing a SoTL topic of focus to research within their own teaching here at ETSU.
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Who can apply?
Any faculty member at ETSU who meets other eligibility requirements (below) may apply.
Applications are submitted individually; from the submissions, a diverse group of up to 5 Scholars will be selected to create the 2025-2026 Co-op.
Eligibility Requirements:
Tenure-track, promotion track, full professor, or continuous appointment position- Commitment to the full length of the program, including meeting on all set meeting dates (see below)
- Active teaching responsibilities in both semesters of upcoming academic year cycle (2025-2026)
- Commitment to working collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty interested in exploring teaching and learning in the college setting
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What SoTL topics can I choose from?
Our SoTL topical categories are very broad, allowing the Co-op to ultimately refine their study to a meaningful focus.
When you submit an application, you will be asked to rank-order the following topical categories, based upon your interest:
- Assessment & grading
- Active learning methods or strategies
- Student motivation or engagement
- Instructor behaviors
You'll also be asked to explain why your top-ranked category interests you, and what might be happening in your own classes that piques your topical interest.
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What are the selection criteria?
Submissions for the Co-op are received individually from interested faculty. From all submissions, a diverse group of 5 faculty will be selected.
Selection will be based upon:
Commonality of interest in SoTL topical category- Diversity of disciplinary representation
- Diversity of seniority levels
- Diversity of SoTL experience (from none to quite a bit)
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What will happen?
Scholars will be announced before the end of the Fall 2024 semester.
Work among the Co-op will commence in 2 phases, beginning with one Welcome meeting and December, with all other work completed from Spring 2025 through the end of Spring 2026 (approximately 16 months).
Phase 1
- Attend SoTL Welcome meeting for new Co-op (December, after classes end)
- Work Group Intensive (early January, 2 days, blend of in-person collaborative & independent work)
- Attend 3-4 Co-op meetings during the semester (TBD by Co-op)
- Submit IRB proposal by May for Fall start to study
Phase 2
- Implement SoTL study in your class (Fall)
- Collect & analyze data
- Share process and any early results at Exceptional Teaching: Get Inspired event (February of next academic year)
- Prepare to submit study for publication (and, optional, presentation)
- Complete a survey about SoTL Scholars Co-op program
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What agreements must I make?
2025-2026 applicants should be committed to attending the following sets of dates:
- Tuesday, December 17, 2025: 2:00 - 4:00 (CTE Lounge) - Co-op Welcome Meeting
- This Welcome meeting helps orient the team to one another and learn more about the steps of SoTL. The team will begin sharing topical interests.
- Monday, January 6, 10:00 - 3:00 (CTE Lounge) - Co-op Intensive, Day 1
- Thursday, January 9, 10:00 - 3:00 (CTE Lounge) - Co-op Intensive, Day 2
- The Intensive Days will include semi-structured guidance through the process of determining a narrowed topic of focus and developing a study around it. These Intensive Days will help the Co-op begin the work, but it is up to the Co-op to continue the work toward an IRB submission by May.
In addition, selected Scholars must agree to:
- Complete all phases with the Co-op
- Share results in multiple ways:
- Share early results at the CTE's Exceptional Teaching: Get Inspired event (February, annually). NB: It is unlikely all team members will be available for this event's selected date, when announced. Team members should all assist with presentation development and those available to come may present.
- Share about the SoTL Scholars Co-op experience and findings at their own department's meetings
- Develop a beginning draft of at least one manuscript to submit for publication by
May of concluding semester
- Journal for submission is identified
- Target date of submission is identified
- Optionally: Submission of study for presentation at a conference
In addition to the SoTL Scholars application, the applicant's department chair/unit head must complete a form supporting the applicant in this SoTL venture, including indicating agreement that time will be given to the applicant to share about the SoTL Scholars Co-op experience and study at a department meeting.
- Tuesday, December 17, 2025: 2:00 - 4:00 (CTE Lounge) - Co-op Welcome Meeting
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What are the benefits of participation?
There are multiple benefits for those participating in the Co-op:
Stipends
- A lead PI will be selected from the Co-op members, based on interest and experience. The lead PI will be responsible for follow-up meeting coordination and ensuring the Co-op's overall progress. For this additional workload, the lead PI will be awarded a stipend of $1500, distributed in 2 parts (after each Phase is successfully completed)
- All other Co-op members receive a stipend of $1000, distributed in 2 parts (after each Phase is successfully completed)
Additional Tangibles & Intangibles
- Create and strengthen a community around SoTL with 4 other faculty from across ETSU
- Collaboratively complete a research study that is ideally ready for submission to publish
- Receive up to 2 books to support SoTL research and topical areas of interest
- Receive recognition at the annual Exceptional Teaching: Get Inspired event
Watch for new applications for 2025-2027, pending funding decisions.
Application Link & Email Memo to Send to Chair
Application for SoTL Scholars Co-op
Applications Due: TBD; form will become active if a new cycle is approved
Use this memo to send to your Chair to request support (includes link to the form they will complete):
Email Memo to Request Chair Support
Chairs Form Due: TBD; form will become active if a new cycle is approved
Our SoTL Scholars Co-ops
Faculty Co-op, Class of 2024
Lead PI: Kimberly Tweedale, Literature & Language (College of Arts and Sciences)
Amanda Banks, Curriculum & Instruction (Clemmer College of Education and Human Development)
Lisa Dunkley, Nutrition & Integrated Health Sciences (College of Health Sciences)
Md Rasheduzzaman, Environmental Health (College of Public Health)
Brittany Wilkins, Social Work (College of Health Sciences)
Graduate Co-op, Class of 2024
Because of the persistence of a few graduate students who were eager for SoTL research experience, we formed a second, graduate Co-op for 2024-2026. This group (aside from the faculty lead) is unfunded but received support materials and will follow the same timeline and expectations as the faculty Co-op.
Study title: Improving Motivational Climate Through Trauma-Informed Teaching
Lead PI: Laura Trull, Social Work (College of Health Sciences)
Tiffany Bonnagio, Psychology (College of Arts and Sciences)
Jessica Templeton, Psychology (College of Arts and Sciences)
Norbert Ogar, Community and Behavioral Health (College of Public Health)
Ashley Shook, Early Childhood Education (Clemmer College of Education and Human Development)