Bridging Scholarship and Practice in Higher Education: Fostering Innovative Research and Enhancing Teaching

Bridging Scholarship and Practice in Higher Education is a practical guide for educators aiming to integrate research into their teaching. Accessible and engaging, it provides clear strategies to enhance the learning experience by connecting research and teaching in meaningful ways.

Covering key aspects of integrating research into teaching, including how to incorporate current research into existing curricula, as well as designing research-driven modules, this book explores the challenges of aligning research with institutional objectives and offers advice on effective dissemination of research findings. Ethical research practices and the importance of collaborating with students as research partners are emphasised in order to foster a richer, more collaborative educational environment. Each chapter includes practical examples and activities, providing educators with the tools needed to apply these concepts in their own teaching practice.

This book will serve as a useful companion for those new to higher education teaching, including participants in Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Higher Education courses. It will have an additional benefit for anyone looking to refresh their teaching and research practice, alongside academics, librarians, and educational professionals.

Sam Illingworth is a Professor of Creative Pedagogies at Edinburgh Napier University, UK. His practice involves using poetry, games, and GenAI to explore staff and student belonging in higher education.