Two UCalgary events showcase how community-based teaching and learning research is transforming higher education

Connection and curious conversations around the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) was the focus of a memorable day at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.

The inaugural Bridging the Bow: YYC SoTL Network brought educators, researchers and SoTL practitioners together on May 23 to participate in a day of professional development to strengthen teaching and learning connections in Calgary.

Co-hosted by the University of Calgary’s Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning and Mount Royal University’s Mokakiiks Centre for SoTL, Bridging the Bow invited scholars from post-secondary institutions from across Calgary to share research, techniques and projects across eight workshops and a networking lunch.

“By working across institutions and disciplines, we’re given the chance to partner in the pursuit of research-informed approaches to the problems that we all face in post-secondary education” says Dr. Erika Smith, Educational Development Consultant (SoTL) with the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning and co-organizer of the event.

Topics covered throughout the day’s workshops included methodology on common approaches to conducting SoTL, a session on the ways collective efforts drive student success, and techniques on finding and refining a SoTL voice. 

Immediately following Bridging the Bow, was the Toast to the 2025 Teaching and Learning Grant Recipients, a celebration of UCalgary scholars beginning their research journey. Both events welcomed a combined total of 80 attendees. 

Teaching and learning Grants program

The Teaching and Learning Grants program is funded by the Provost’s Office. The goal is to provide support to support student learning experiences by supporting faculty engaged in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and in developing educational leadership capacity.

“The teaching and learning community is so open, I can approach anyone.” says Dr. Bronwyn Chorlton, PhD, who attended Bridging the Bow and stayed to participate in the toast to SoTL scholars as a team member on a 2025 grant funded project. 

“My background is in structural engineering not teaching and learning, so events like these are a good opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and for us all to discuss the projects we’re working on.”

Chorlton, an Assistant Professor with the Schulich School of Engineering, is working with a team of scholars to create an open educational resource (OER) that’s available across Canada and not only applicable to first-year Engineering students at UCalgary.

Creating a smart teaching tool

The question bank is a smart tool, with a focus on the Engineering Statics course, that students can used to practice complex engineering problems. For educators, it’s an opportunity to better understand which course concepts students find most challenging.

“Like everybody at these events, I do this work because I’m here to support students. A project like this helps me to help them, and to reflect on and improve my own teaching.”

Dr. Jean-Yin Tan, the academic lead for the Teaching and Learning Grants program, joined attendees in raising a toast to celebrate the educators behind 23 ambitious teaching and learning projects, which received over $800,000 in funding support.

“Teaching and learning research connects educators across campus who share a common goal: to strengthen teaching, improve student learning, and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether in science, arts, or engineering, this event is a chance to celebrate the incredible work of this year’s grant recipients and bring together people who can spark new ideas and collaborations.”

Explore the Teaching and Learning Grants program, the three application streams and the fourteen areas of focus by visiting the program homepage. Submission intake for the 2025/2026 program will begin in July.

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