Fund for Innovation and Research into Learning and Teaching (FIRLT)
In line with its
Learning and Teaching policy, Stellenbosch University established the Fund for Innovation and Research into Learning and Teaching (FIRLT) in 2005 in order to encourage a culture of innovation and reflection in learning and teaching at the University. The fund provides an opportunity for lecturers to innovate, evaluate effective practices and processes, and to investigate learning and teaching problems, solutions and trends. It also provides a mechanism for the dissemination of results designed to improve the quality of learning and teaching. Any lecturer, team of lecturers or Centre responsible for learning and teaching, may apply for an award.
FIRLT awards are made twice a year by a subcommittee of the Committee for Learning and Teaching. Proposals are funded up to a maximum of R50 000. All applications are considered by the
FIRLT Committee:
-
Dr Melanie Skead, Director: Centre for Teaching and Learning, mskead@sun.ac.za
-
Dr Nicoline Herman, Deputy Director: Centre for Teaching and Learning, nherman@sun.ac.za
-
Mrs Jean Farmer, FIRLT Project Manager. Advisor: Centre for Teaching and Learning, finlo@sun.ac.za
-
Dr Faaiz Gierdien, Curriculum Studies, Faculty of Education, faaiz@sun.ac.za
-
Dr Taryn Bernard, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
tbernard@sun.ac.za
-
Dr Margaret Blackie, Chemistry and Polymer Science, Faculty of Science, mblackie@sun.ac.za
-
Dr JP Bosman, Director: Centre for Learning Technologies, jpbosman@sun.ac.za
- Prof Ashraf Kagee, Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
skagee@sun.ac.za
How to Apply for FIRLT Awards:
Develop your idea, talk to colleagues, and consult the
CTL advisor in your faculty.
The 2020 application form is available
here. It can help you get ready for 2021 applications. The 2021 application form will be made available in due course.
You should pay special attention to the
guidelines of the Senate-approved proposal for the fund.
How to Report on FIRLT Awards:
Use this
template to report on your FIRLT project
How to get Support for FIRLT Projects:
In support of FIRLT/FINLO-projects, the university offers writing retreats. Writing retreats offer dedi cated writing time away from the office. It usually takes place during May and November for both new and experienced teaching and learning researchers. The purpose of the writing retreat is to work on FIRLT/FINLO proposals or L&T publications. For more information about Writing retreats, Writing by Hours (Slow scholarship),
click here.
Academics can also contact the CTL advisor in their faculty for support with FIRLT applications.
Click here for your advisor's contact details.
Some FIRLT Successes:
Video streaming to aid neurology training 
Thanks to funding provided by Stellenbosch University's (SU) Fund for Innovation and Research into Learning and Teaching (FIRLT), video-conferencing facilities and off-site neurology training can now be implemented at three clinical learning centres across the Western Cape.
For a list of previous FIRLT-recipients and their contact details, click here.
