From recurring teaching problem to a concrete, feasible SoTL project plan (4 days)
Many educators carry a persistent problem in their teaching for years.
Students struggle with a concept.
Engagement fluctuates.
Assessment results disappoint.
You adjust assignments.
You tweak activities.
You try new formats.
But the problem keeps returning.
Without dedicated time and structure, improvements remain temporary — and the core issue stays unclear.
This four-day Summer School is designed to change that.
The Summer School is from 6-9 July 2026 in Utrecht, The Netherlands
In one focused week, you move from a persistent issue in your teaching to a clearly formulated, researchable SoTL project — grounded in your own teaching and realistic within your workload.
You do not leave with inspiration alone.
You leave with:
- a sharply defined teaching & learning question
- a written, structured project plan
- clarity about evidence and feasibility
- and, where relevant, a strong basis for a grant proposal
The project plan you develop can become part of your teaching portfolio, promotion trajectory or future grant development.
These four days often replace months of fragmented thinking and half-started attempts.
Why is this worth the investment
This programme is:
- small-scale (max. 10 participants)
- personally facilitated
- structured around the Utrecht University Roadmap for SoTL
- designed for deep work, not surface discussion
- followed by individual feedback
This programme compresses months of reflection, doubt and part-time effort into four structured, focused days.
Because I facilitate the entire week myself, you benefit from more than two decades of experience in SoTL development. As co-author of the Utrecht University Roadmap for SoTL and Chair of EuroSoTL, I have guided many educators and institutions in designing feasible, rigorous projects. At the same time, I come from within a disciplinary context myself. As a former life sciences lecturer and researcher, I know how unfamiliar SoTL can initially feel — and where people tend to get stuck.
This Summer School brings that combined experience into an intensive, small-scale format that offers a level of depth and personal guidance that is rarely available.
You gain clarity that would otherwise take much longer to achieve alongside regular teaching and research responsibilities.
Who this programme is for
This programme is intended for educators in higher education who:
- want to seriously develop a SoTL project
- have a teaching question they want to work out in detail
- benefit from dedicated time and structured guidance
- may be preparing a (SoTL) grant application
You do not need a fully developed idea.
A genuine question about your teaching is enough.
What happens during the week
Over four days, you gradually move from curiosity to clarity.
You will:
- clarify what you want to understand or improve
- narrow your idea to a workable focus
- connect your teaching practice to relevant literature
- consider meaningful forms of evidence
- design a feasible project plan
Throughout the week, the emphasis is on keeping your project grounded in your own teaching context and aligned with what is realistically achievable.
By the end, you leave with a written project outline that you can:
- implement in your own teaching
- discuss with colleagues or programme coordinators
- develop further into a grant proposal (if applicable)
- use as part of your teaching portfolio or promotion trajectory
Participants often arrive with a broad interest and leave with a much sharper question than they initially expected.
Fee
The participation fee for the SoTL Summer School is:
€1,500 (including 21% Dutch VAT)
€1,239.67 excl. VAT
This fee reflects the intensive, small-scale nature of the programme and includes:
- preparatory online session
- four full days of structured, facilitated work in Utrecht
- close guidance and sparring throughout the week
- detailed feedback on your developing project
- an exclusive printed copy of the Roadmap
- all learning materials
- lunch, coffee, tea and refreshments
- certificate of participation
For many participants, this week replaces the prolonged cycle of adjusting without real focus.. You leave with clarity, structure and a concrete project plan you can implement immediately — rather than continuing to think about it “in between everything else.”
Travel and accommodation are not included.
Location
The Summer School takes place from 6-9 July 2026 in Utrecht, a historic university city in the Netherlands, just 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The setting offers a calm and inspiring environment for focused academic work.
Registration
To apply, send an email to info@irmact.com describing your initial question or interest.
I will personally get back to you to confirm whether the programme is a good fit and to provide further details.
Your place is secured upon payment.
If you are unsure whether this programme is the right moment for you, you are very welcome to get in touch with any questions.
Application deadline
Applications are open until 30 April.
Participants will receive confirmation shortly after this date, allowing sufficient time to arrange travel and accommodation.
Early application is recommended, as the group is limited to 10 participants.
Minimum number of participants
The Summer School will take place with a minimum of 7 participants to ensure a strong and focused group dynamic.
Should this number not be reached, registered participants will be informed in good time and can choose between a full refund or discussing alternative guidance options (for example in an individual or online format).
For institutions
This programme can also be organised in-company for departments or institutions that want to support multiple educators simultaneously.
Feel free to get in touch to explore possibilities.