SoTL and University Teachers’ Professional Development: The Implementation of the Teaching Practice Research Program in Taiwan

In a constantly changing higher education environment, university teachers' teaching and students' learning have received greater attention.As a result, the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is gaining ground as a practical research inquiry that closely reflects university teachers' disciplinary teaching practices and advances their professional development.This study examined the influence of SoTL practice in the Taiwanese context, with particular attention to the Teaching Practice Research Program (TPRP).TPRP is a government grant program that supports individual instructors in conducting SoTL research.By interviewing six university teachers who engaged in the TPRP, we provided evidence that the SoTL inquiry benefited their academic development and professional careers.Two critical areas of impact have been revealed: teaching effectiveness and their professional careers as higher education educators.Participants reported that drawing on evidence from their TPRP projects motivated them to advance their teaching practice to support students' learning, pursue teaching innovation, and teach effectively.Despite encountering structural barriers, such as disciplinary alienation and career stagnation, the instructors maintained a positive attitude.They valued the TPRP for supporting their professional development, driving educational innovation, fostering networking and collaboration with peers passionate about advancing teaching and student learning, and, most crucially, strengthening their identity as higher education educators.Finally, this study suggested a SoTL researcher-friendly culture that encouraged instructors in teaching advancement and accepted their efforts is needed in the current higher education environment.