Knowledge construction through research is central to every university. The implications associated with research are numerous and can vary among individuals and institutions. Some commonly shared interpretations of research include innovation, impact and change. While teaching also plays an important part in each university, its significance often appears to be overshadowed by research. Within the context of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), pedagogic research remains an area for development, after recently beginning to support academic staff engagement in this research during the past three years.

This special issue seeks to present two current teaching and learning initiatives that engage academic staff in pedagogic research and explores how these have developed into a support system through the Teaching and Learning Community of Practice (T&L CoP) at CUHK. These blog posts collectively establish the contexts in which teaching innovation and pedagogic research work are still a work in progress at CUHK. Each post explores the meaning and value of pedagogic research, drawing perspectives from both the professoriate and teaching staff. While pedagogic research journeys can at times be isolated, this BERA Blog special issue exemplifies our endeavour to develop collaboration within our community. We walk this journey together.

The contributions to this issue explore: 

• the support system developed to advance staff engagement in pedagogic research at CUHK
• the role of virtual reality (VR) in the built environment discipline and whether the VR learning experience can improve students’ comprehension of retail space development
• how micromodules and flipped class activities can facilitate self-directed learning and student engagement
• the importance of simulation in interprofessional education, in which an immersive environment allows students to practise procedures and engage with virtual patients in real-life settings
• a case for comparing students’ handwritten and typed examinations by asking the extent to which a pen is more effective than a keyboard
• teaching and pedagogic research projects on fostering sustainable tourism education using game-based learning tools.