Scholarship of teaching and learning

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) focuses on the reciprocal relationship between teaching and learning at a post-secondary level.

The School of Science in Society is committed to innovative, engaging and relevant teaching. As part of this commitment, we carry out research into both our teaching and the contexts within which we teach in order to better serve and support the needs of our students and community. By studying student and staff learning and experiences in our courses and more broadly, we advance our teaching practice and philosophy across the School, the University and the wider academic community.

Examples of SoTL research in the School include:

  • research into the student experience in our first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Ice 101X, led by Rebecca Priestley;
  • research into VicTeach , a staff-led pan-University Professional Learning Community co-founded by Rhian Salmon and for which Hazel Godfrey has been co-chair;
  • research into the student learning experience within our undergraduate online programme in Science in Society;
  • exploration of using creative non-fiction writing to inform teaching on subjective experiences like chronic pain, led by Hazel Godfrey;
  • research into novel approaches to teaching core concepts in Science Communication and Public Engagement (for scientists and professional science communicators as well as students), by Rhian Salmon, Sarah-Jane O’Connor and Laura Kranz.

We also take certification and professional development seriously in the School: Hazel Godfrey and Sarah-Jane O'Connor are approved Higher Education Fellows (FHEA) and several other members of the School are currently undergoing similar accreditation through the new Te Arawai Ako programme.

In addition, our staff have been recipients of several teaching awards:

  • 2017—Joint Early Career Teaching Award—Rebecca Priestley and Rhian Salmon
  • 2018—Te Rautaki Maruako Tutor Excellence Award—Laura Kranz
  • 2022—Te Rautaki Maruako Tutor Excellence Award—Max Soar
  • 2024—Early Career Teaching Award—Hazel Godfrey
  • 2024—Early Career Teaching Award— Sarah-Jane O'Connor

For more information, please contact:

Associate Professor

School of Science in Society