Incorporating and Amplifying Less-Heard Voices
ISSOTL members also reflected on how the organization might not only incorporate but possibly amplify the voices and experiences of people who might have been, historically, less heard. These voices might include, but are not limited, to:
Newer SoTL scholars: How might we include people who are brand new to SoTL in ISSOTL and provide opportunities for them to learn more about, and feel embedded within, the organization? In particular, how might we connect newer members with more established, involved members who can bring them in and pass on their own learning?
Student SoTL scholars: Students can be involved in SoTL as partners in research projects and ISSOTL has a student representative. But are there ways we might encourage greater student conference participation or engagement with ICWGs, for example?
Scholars who don’t identify as SoTL scholars: How might we welcome in faculty, staff, or students who are interested in a particular aspect of SoTL but don’t identify as SoTL scholars? Is there a place within ISSOTL for people who want to dip their toes into the SoTL/ISSOTL pool but in tentative or limited ways?
“SoTL First” scholars: We often relate (either explicitly or implicitly) SoTL research to disciplinary values and methods. Some scholars, however, have not conducted research in a field other than SoTL. Indeed, SoTL may be, for some scholars, their first foray into research. How might ISSOTL support those scholars as they evolve in their research skills and capacity?
Here is some of what participants shared about their experiences.
