Aleksandra Glogowska in her classroom.
Funding available for innovative research on teaching and learning
SoTL Support Fund applications open now
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Support Fund provides opportunities for UM professors, instructors, and librarians to engage in research projects that increase knowledge in pedagogy and learning.
“As an institution, we are committed to delivering an outstanding educational experience for our diverse student body,” says Mark Torchia, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning), “This fund supports innovative research that seeks to understand and enhance teaching and learning practices, in order that UM can continue to inspire and empower learners for success in their studies and beyond.”
There are two funding streams available: the SoTL Seed Project fund supports smaller projects with funding up to $6,000, while the SoTL Major Project fund is for larger, interdisciplinary projects with funding up to $25,000.
Successful applicants are expected to start their project in Summer 2024. SoTL Developers at the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning will meet with each recipient during their research. Recipients will later share their findings with the UM community at a biennial SoTL Symposium at UM.
One of six SoTL Seed projects funded last year was an interdisciplinary collaboration between the colleges of medicine and dentistry. Aleksandra Glogowska, from the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science in the Max Rady College of Medicine, and Chrysi Stavropoulou, from the College of Dentistry, are exploring cadaveric surgical simulation training as a new teaching strategy in dental clinical graduate programs.
“I am always seeking out innovative teaching approaches to enhance student learning, helping them grasp the material and understand its relevance,” says Aleksandra Glogowska. “The SoTL Support Fund provides me the chance to link basic anatomy with clinical dental teaching, strengthening the relationship between our curriculum content and its purpose. I strongly believe this project will improve student learning in clinical settings and will build stronger relationships between basic and clinical teachings.”
Applications to the SoTL Support Fund are due April 1, 2024. Learn more about how to apply on the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) website.
Find out more about last year’s recipients.