White paper on the scholarship of teaching and learning: Expanding the academic pharmacy promotion and tenure process

The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) represents one of four well-defined areas of research. Historically, pharmacy institutions have failed to factor the SoTL into the promotion and tenure considerations of their faculty. Without acknowledgement or incentive for their efforts, faculty may be forced to abandon innovative teaching research to pursue research options more highly valued by their institution. This white paper investigates the SoTL definition described by colleges of pharmacy around the world, and the weight with which the SoTL is considered in the promotion of their faculty. The authors conclude there is considerable variability in the SoTL definition across institutions. Additionally, many institutions have not updated their policies to include the SoTL in promotion and tenure considerations. The authors recommend that all colleges of pharmacy adopt the SoTL as defined in this paper, and that all colleges update their promotion and tenure guidelines to include the SoTL in career advancement considerations.