Developing the scholarship of pedagogy: pathfinding in adverse settings

Abstract

The paper looks at the feasibility and value of the scholarship of pedagogy (SoP) in an institutional context where it is not a common practice. I will draw on my experience with other colleagues at our university concerning the constraints, shortcomings and achievements of SoP, and use this as a springboard for reflection on its transitional nature as a “pathfinding route” in adverse settings (Shulman, 2004). I will also discuss implications on how we might assess its value, arguing that this assessment should take into account not only its quality as a research-oriented activity, but also its situational relevance. Ultimately, there may be no universal answer to the question “what is valuable SoP?”