Conference Theme:
Seed. Root. Grow: Nurturing SoTL across Africa
28 – 29 August, 2026
Proposal deadline extended to 22 June, 2026
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning continues to take root across African higher education. As educators, researchers, and institutional leaders, we share a commitment to understanding how students learn and how teaching can support meaningful transformation. The second Annual SoTL Conference invites participants to reflect on the foundations, possibilities, and future of SoTL across the continent.
Using the ideas of roots, seeds, and growth, this conference explores how teaching and learning scholarship can be grounded in African contexts while contributing to global conversations about education. Just as healthy ecosystems require strong roots, fertile soil, careful planting, and sustained care, the development of SoTL in Africa requires collaboration, curiosity, and shared learning.
This conference aims to strengthen a community of educators who are committed to evidence informed teaching and student success across African universities and colleges.
Emerging Ideas and New Scholars
Seeds represent new ideas, early stage research, and emerging scholars who are beginning to explore the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. This theme highlights innovative approaches, pilot projects, and early investigations that show promise for future growth.
Possible topics include:
Foundations of SoTL in African Higher Education
This theme explores the historical, cultural, and institutional foundations that shape teaching and learning across African universities. Contributions may examine how African philosophies, educational traditions, and institutional contexts inform SoTL practice and research.
Possible topics include:
Expanding Practice
and Impact
Growth reflects the expansion of effective teaching practices and research across institutions and disciplines. This theme invites work that demonstrates impact and the scaling of successful initiatives.
Possible topics include:
The registration fee is GHS 576 (approx. $50) for both in-person and online attendees.
SOTL Africa conference fee waivers available. Request via email: sotlafrica@ashesi.edu.ghÂ
The conference will feature engaging sessions across two days, including keynote and plenary talks, interactive workshops, peer-reviewed paper and poster presentations, a cultural site visit, and networking dinners. Sessions will cover both foundational and advanced SoTL topics.Â
The 2-day conference will bring together teacher-scholar-mentors from across the country, Africa, and beyond to showcase their research through posters, paper presentations, storytelling, and other creative methods. The conference will feature engaging keynotes, interactive panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and other activities.
The conference is designed to help educators learn about SoTL, connect with colleagues, share effective teaching practices, and explore how evidence informed approaches can improve student learning and success across African higher education.
The conference aims to:
1. Build understanding and confidence in SoTL
To introduce educators to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and help them develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to investigate and improve their teaching through evidence informed approaches.
2. Share practical ideas that improve student learning
To showcase effective teaching practices, innovations, and that have emerged from SoTL research that can be adapted and applied across different disciplines, institutions, and educational contexts to enhance student success.
3. Create opportunities for collaboration and shared learning
To bring together educators, researchers, and educational leaders from across Africa to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build supportive networks that strengthen teaching and learning.
4. Celebrate and amplify African perspectives on teaching and learning
To highlight the unique strengths, experiences, and innovations emerging from African higher education and contribute these insights to wider national and international conversations about educational excellence.
On 10–11 September 2025, Ashesi hosted its inaugural annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Africa Conference, bringing together faculty, researchers, leaders, and students from across the continent.
The conference elevated awareness of effective teaching practices, showcased emerging approaches, and created space for meaningful reflection on teaching and learning in African higher education.
Institutions
Represented
Paper & Poster
Presentations
Delegates in
Attendance
The SoTL Africa journal, in the spirit of Ashesi, through essays teaches SoTL philosophy and pedagogic practice, and publishes exemplary SoTL research relevant to the context of Africa.
Primarily, the journal is a forum for SoTL research in all disciplines, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary, in fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship (STEAME).
The papers are structured in the general format of Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion (IMRAD) to be a viable resource for effective teaching, learning, and scholarship in African higher education.
Registration Timelines:
Call for Paper Abstracts:
The conference will take place at Ashesi University, Ghana, from the 28th to the 29th of August, 2025, in the Hive Banquet Hall.
(online attendance available, details provided upon registration)
Faculty, higher education leaders, educational developers, students (undergraduate, graduate, and early-career researchers), teaching and research assistants, and anyone interested in enhancing teaching and learning through SoTL are encouraged to attend.
Find out more here: https://ashe.si/4mWHqYH!
Christmas on the Hill
A festive end-of-year celebration featuring activities, music, and community bonding. This event brings together students, faculty, and staff to share in the holiday spirit before the break.
