SoTL Scholars Co-op

 

Become a SoTL Scholar

The CTE, in partnership with the Office of the Vice-Provost for Research, is pleased to continue offering our SoTL Scholars Co-op for faculty.

Below are details for the 2026-2028 cycle.

Pending funding decisions for a 2027-2029 cycle, dates below will be updated and new applications will be linked and active. If you are viewing this page after the Fall 2026 deadline, please check back!

 

• 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.

• Who can apply?

  Any faculty member at ETSU who meets 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 2026-2028 Co-op.

  Eligibility Requirements:

  • 
    Tenure-track or tenured professors or continuous appointment position (e.g., teaching or research professors).
  • 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 (2027-2028)
  • Commitment to working collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty interested in exploring teaching and learning in the college setting
• 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.

• 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 for a diversified group 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)
• What will happen?

  Scholars will be announced before the end of the Fall 2026 semester.

  Work among the Co-op will commence in 2 phases, beginning with one Welcome meeting in December, and with all other work completed from Spring 2027 through the end of Spring 2028 (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 our Celebration of Exceptional Teaching (February of next academic year)
  • Prepare to submit study for publication (and, optional, presentation)
  • Complete a survey about SoTL Scholars Co-op program
• What agreements must I make?

  2026-2028 applicants should be committed to attending the following sets of dates:

  • Tuesday, December 15, 2026: 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.
  • Tuesday, January 5, 2027: 10:00 - 3:00 (CTE Lounge) - Co-op Intensive, Day 1
  • Monday, January 11, 2027: 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 2028 Celebration of Exceptional Teaching (February, annually). NB: It is unlikely all team members will be available for this event's selected date. 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.

• 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 Celebration of Exceptional Teaching
• What happens if I am not selected for the SoTL Co-op?

  We regret that we can only fund one Co-op annually. Please remember that selection of Co-op members is not merit-based, but based instead on diversifying the group.

  If we have a significant number of applicants remaining after our Co-op selection, we will reach out to our remaining applicants to offer them the option of participating in a SoTL Faculty Affinity Group.

  SoTL Affinity Groups will consist of applicants with similar research interests. If 2 or more applicants are willing to continue as an Affinity Group, the CTE will support their SoTL research efforts as much as possible, minus the stipend.

  Because these groups will not receive a stipend, they are not beholden to the timeline expected for the Co-op. However, we encourage an attempt to stick with the timeline, for the sake of timely research completion and getting a manuscript ready as soon as possible for submission.

  The SoTL Faculty Affinity Group will receive:

  • Support and coaching at the same Welcome meeting and Intensives as the Co-op's. Meals included at the Intensives.

  The Intensive dates permit dedicated time for the group to determine and hone a particular research focus. We strongly encourage the group to participate!

  • Resources for starting your SoTL research, including the two books.
  • An invitation to present your research at the CTE's Celebration of Teaching Excellence (two Februarys hence, or when the group feels best prepared)
  • Recognition in CTE communications about our SoTL Scholars' progress.

  Membership benefits for Affinity Group members additionally include:

  • Potential to meet new colleagues and work across disciplines as you create a micro-community about SoTL and your teaching approaches.
  • Potential to, with the support and encouragement of others, complete research for publication and, possibly, presentation.

  Affinity Group members remain eligible for selection in future years' SoTL Scholars Co-ops (always pending continuation of the program); good faith participation in the Affinity Group may be a consideration for selection. 

 

Application Link & Email Memo to Send to Chair

 

Apply

Applications Due: Friday, November 20, 2026

 

Download and edit this memo to send to your Chair to request support (includes link to the form they will complete):

Email Memo to Chair

Chairs Form Due:  Tuesday, November 24, 2026

 

Our Active SoTL Scholars Co-ops