6th Annual International Conference on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Higher Education

Thursday, October 7, 2021

8:00 AM

Virtual event

07 – 08 October 2021 Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Host: Central University of Technology, Free state

Conference Theme

 Promoting and sustaining quality higher education during turbulent times

Call for papers

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) invites the submission of abstracts for its 6th Annual SoTL conference on 07 – 08 October 2021.

Conference focus

Higher Education globally, particularly in South Africa, has been terribly affected and shaken by many storms or turbulences such as political, economic and social storms. The unsettled political and economic conditions in South Africa have affected higher education negatively. This is evidenced by the number of student protests as students demand free access to quality higher education, which the government and institutions of higher learning cannot afford. These difficulties have been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic which has exposed many problems like inequalities in educational provision and resources that exist among educational institutions and among students. The lockdown regulations necessitated that universities adapt quickly from traditional face to face teaching to virtual or remote teaching, learning and assessment. In the light of these challenges affecting higher education, and given the responsibility of the universities to offer quality education, the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) at the Central University of Technology, Free State presents the following theme for its 2021 Annual Conference:

Promoting and sustaining quality higher education during turbulent times

The aim of this conference is to stimulate debate on higher education policies regarding access and success and explore opportunities and challenges related to teaching and learning in Higher Education during turbulent times, including the coronavirus pandemic. This conference presents such an opportunity, as it will enable delegates and presenters to explore scholarly work in an open and collegial arena.

Conference sub-themes

  • Shifting Higher Education landscape and implications for innovative and effective pedagogical approaches.
  • Teaching under covid-19: challenges and opportunities.
  • Promoting and sustaining equal access to on-line teaching and learning for all students.
  • Ensuring student access and success.
  • Ensuring the quality and integrity of on-line assessment.
  • Sustaining transformative assessments through innovative practices.
  • Providing psychosocial and instructional support for both students and lecturers.

Abstract submissions

Abstracts are invited on any of the identified sub-themes. Papers may be of empirical, theoretical, or philosophical nature on any of the sub-themes.

Submission information 

We welcome extended abstracts of not more than 500 words. Submissions must be sent electronically to the email address supplied below. All abstracts will be internally and externally peer reviewed. The extended abstracts should include the authors' name and affiliations, contact details of the author/s email address. The following elements of the paper should be indicated in the abstract. Aim/purpose/objective of the paper, thrust/focus of the paper, methodology if necessary, or theoretical and conceptual frames, preliminary findings and conclusion.   

Evaluation of papers

  • Reviewers for the SoTL conference will consider all abstracts received by the submission deadline (see dates below) to ensure that the proposed abstract is relevant to the Conference.
  • The authors of abstracts will receive a notification of their reviewed abstracts and recommended amendments where necessary.
  • Full papers will be double-blind peer-reviewed by members of the Scientific Conference Committee to ensure an adequate standard, that the proposed subject of their abstract has been followed, that the paper is of a suitable length, the standard of English is adequate, and the paper is appropriately referenced.
  • The SoTL Conference does not have peer reviewed conference proceedings. We are working towards that but might not be ready for 2021. Abstracts that are accepted will be published in the conference programme provided that at least one author registers and presents the paper at the Conference (see the registration section of the conference website for more information about registration).

Time frame for submission of abstracts and papers

03 May 2021Abstract submission open
31 July 2021Closing date for abstract submission
31 July - 31 August 2021Review period
01 September 2021Notification of acceptance of abstracts


Presentation format

Paper presentation (virtual presentations)25 minutes presentations for scholarly papers with 5 minutes for discussions (2 presenters per one-hour session)
Posters (virtual presentations)20 minutes presentation of posters with 10 minutes for discussions

Registration Dates

Conference registration opens

04 May 2021

Early-bird registration

04 May - 15 June 2021

Regular registration

15 June - 31 August 2021

Late registration

31 August – 30 September 2021


Conference Fees

Delegate Type

Early-bird registration

Regular registration

Late registration

CUT delegates (SoTL members

ZAR 00

ZAR 00

ZAR 00

External delegates

ZAR 500.00

ZAR 750.00 

ZAR 1 000.00

Note: In order to qualify for the early-bird registration rate, proof of payment must reach our office (smatoti@cut.ac.za and dmopeli@cut.ac.za) via e-mail on or before 30 September 2021.

Banking Details

The registration fees for the conference are to be deposited at First National Bank (FNB) with the following details:

BankFirst National Bank (FNB)
Account No.62538533531
Branch Code230134
Account NameCentral University of Technology, Free State
Account TypeCheque
Swift CodeFIRNZAJJ
Reference3614 followed by your name/initials and surname.

Online registration

Register online to attend

Invoices are available on request. When registering online, please specify that you require an invoice to be issued in the comment/remark section. Please note that once an invoice is issued, the invoices is liable for payment regardless of attendance.

Contact us

Prof. SN Matoti
Tel.: +27(0) 51 507 3636 | E-mail: smatoti@cut.ac.za

Ms Dineo Mopeli
Tel.: +27(0) 51 507 3027 E- mail: dmopeli@cut.ac.za  



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