Traversing the Borderlands of SoTL as a Transdisciplinary and Transnational Practice

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.14.46

Keywords:

transdisciplinarity, borderlands, dialogue, identity, collaborative autoethnography

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to make sense of our experiences participating in an International Collaborative Writing Group (ICWG) through the use of a collaborative autoethnography. We drew on multiple sources of data to glean insights into the meanings we have constructed as contributors to the ICWG, both individually and collectively. We identified three themes using thematic analysis that demonstrated this sensemaking of our experiences as contributors to the ICWG: (1) navigating the complexities, (2) moments of tension and growth, and (3) future possibilities for exploration. We invite the reader to join this journey as we seek to situate our experiences from the ICWG within the broader landscape of practice across national contexts and grapple with SoTL’s transdisciplinary potential along the way. Although our journey continues, we conclude by offering some reflections on the importance of both discomfort and structure in this work.

Author Biographies

  • Jacob Kelley, Auburn University

    Jacob Kelley (United States) is a PhD student in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology at Auburn University. He currently works in the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at Auburn University.

  • Susan Mayson, Monash University

    Susan Mayson (Australia) is a senior lecturer in the Department of Management at Monash Business School. She joined the ISSOTL 2023 International Collaborative Writing Group (ICWG) to explore the topic of SoTL as Inclusive Transdisciplinary Practice at the ISSOTL23 conference.

  • Gavin Mount, University of New South Wales

    Gavin Mount (Australia) is a senior lecturer and Nexus Fellow for innovative teaching. Gavin is a member of the Academic Board and deputy chair of the University Program Review Committee. His current research focuses on disinformation.

  • Sara Nasrollahian, University of Iowa

    Sara Nasrollahian (United States) is an associate director at the University of Iowa’s Center for Teaching. Her scholarship explores transdisciplinarity in SoTL, adult learning, and transparency in teaching. She serves on national committees, including ISSOTL and POD Network.

  • Anna Santucci, University of Virginia

    Anna Santucci (United States) is an associate professor in the University of Virginia’s Center for Teaching Excellence. Her transdisciplinary work promotes interculturality and equity. Her professional contributions include AISHE, POD Network, ISSOTL, and the International Journal for Academic Development. 

  • Alison Staudinger, University of Alaska Southeast

    Alison Staudinger (United States) is the associate dean of arts & sciences and associate professor of Political Science at the University of Alaska Southeast, where her work focuses on faculty development, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and political theory.

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2026-09-30