Mapping the Landscape of SoTL Engagement: Insights from Educational Leadership Faculty at UBC Okanagan

Abstract

This exploratory study investigates the current state of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) among Educational Leadership (EL) faculty at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO). Through a campus-wide survey of EL faculty (N = 29), the project explores how faculty engage with SoTL to assess the extent of their involvement, community perceptions of SoTL work, and the supports and barriers influencing its growth. Findings suggest broad engagement through diverse research methods and dissemination channels, but also highlight persistent challenges related to time, funding, and recognition. While UBCO’s context is unusual in the Canadian post-secondary landscape, these insights can inform broader conversations in Canadian and international higher education settings about legitimizing SoTL within research-intensive environments. Recommendations are made to enhance institutional support and deepen the integration of SoTL into academic culture for sustainable faculty engagement.