iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu, a rural, comprehensive university headquartered in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, is committed to advancing evidence-based teaching and learning practices in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. As an institution serving predominantly historically disadvantaged and rural communities, WSU recognises that the transformation of STEM teaching and learning is central to addressing systemic inequalities in higher education and to preparing graduates who can drive scientific innovation, economic development, and social change on the African continent.

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) offers a rigorous, evidence-based approach for academics to systematically inquire into their teaching practice and student learning experiences, with the goal of producing scholarship that improves pedagogical practice and contributes to the broader academic community. Within STEM disciplines, SoTL is uniquely positioned to address persistent challenges in student throughput, curriculum relevance, epistemic access, and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems.

The WSU SoTL STEM International Symposium 2026 is a flagship initiative of the University's Directorate of Teaching and Learning, implemented in partnership with the University of Sussex (United Kingdom), the British Council, Nelson Mandela University, and the National Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It is supported by the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG) and forms part of Walter Sisulu University's Strategy 2030.

Themed “Integrating Global Perspectives and Local Impact: Advancing the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in STEM Education for Global Relevance”, the symposium convenes leading South African, African, and international scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange evidence-informed insights on STEM teaching and learning. By integrating global scholarly perspectives with locally responsive practice, the symposium seeks to shape a research-informed, inclusive, and contextually grounded SoTL agenda for STEM education in South Africa, Africa, and the Global South.

Overarching Aim: To advance the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in STEM education by bridging global scholarly perspectives with locally responsive practice, and by strengthening research-informed teaching cultures within Walter Sisulu University and its partner institutions.

Specific Objectives:

• To provide a scholarly platform for the exchange of evidence-based practices, research findings, and innovative pedagogies in STEM education.
• To strengthen national, continental, and international collaborations that advance SoTL scholarship in STEM.
• To promote critical dialogue on equity, inclusion, decolonisation, and transformation in STEM teaching and learning.
• To build institutional capacity for SoTL research and scholarly teaching within WSU and among partner institutions.
• To generate peer-reviewed publications and contribute to the international body of SoTL scholarship from a Southern and African perspective.
• To create mentorship and development opportunities for emerging SoTL scholars and doctoral candidates in STEM education.
• To inform the institutional framework and practice on scholarly teaching, faculty development, and student success in STEM disciplines.

The symposium seeks to:

• Enhance understanding of SoTL principles and practices in STEM.
• Promote evidence-informed teaching and learning research.
• Strengthen international collaborations and partnerships.
• Identify innovative and impactful STEM education practices.
• Contribute to policy discussions and educational reform.
• Generate scholarly outputs, including journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings.
• Foster interdisciplinary and international research collaborations.

The symposium invites participation from a broad academic and professional community with an interest in advancing the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in STEM education, including:

• Academics, researchers, and educators in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines.
• Academic developers, curriculum specialists, and teaching and learning practitioners.
• Higher education leaders, deans, and heads of departments in STEM faculties.
• Postgraduate students, particularly doctoral candidates researching STEM education and SoTL.
• Policymakers and representatives from national and provincial higher education structures (DHET, CHE, USAf).
• International SoTL scholars and members of scholarly societies such as ISSOTL, EuroSoTL, and SoTL Africa.
• Representatives from partner institutions and collaborating universities.
• Industry stakeholders with an interest in STEM graduate attributes and workforce readiness.
• Educational technologists and digital learning specialists engaged in STEM education innovation.