The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) at Stony Brook University has announced the launch of a new international journal, the International Journal of Transformative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (IJTTL). This peer-reviewed, open-access publication aims to enhance teaching and learning practices worldwide. The first issue, titled "Mapping and Reimagining the State of Higher Education," is now available online with articles on topics like health inequities, virtual exchange programs, and artificial intelligence.
IJTTL provides a platform for educators globally to share research on transformative education. The journal's mission is to bridge educational research with real-world classroom practices. Yiren Kong, founder and editor-in-chief of IJTTL, initiated the journal's creation to offer educators a venue for their research ideas. "When we spoke with faculty, we realized that many of them had ideas for educational studies but lacked a dedicated platform to share their research," Kong explained. "This journal was born out of that need — to provide a space where their voices could be heard and their work could have a broader impact."
Kong joined Stony Brook in 2022 as a postdoctoral researcher and now serves as an educational research specialist at CELT. He collaborated with colleagues including Kimberly Bell, associate editor and teaching assistant development specialist at CELT; CELT Director Rose Tirotta-Esposito; and Hyunjin Jinna Kim, a former postdoctoral researcher at Stony Brook.
The CELT team worked alongside Stony Brook University Libraries and publisher Academic Commons to address the academic publishing challenges of launching a new journal. "It was a long process," said Kong. "We spent a year and half defining the scope, setting up the infrastructure, and ensuring everything was in place."
The inaugural issue was published in January 2025 after receiving submissions from various scholars through an extensive review process. The reception has been positive so far. “We’ve shared information about IJTTL at different academic conferences and educational forums,” said Kong. “There is a real demand for a platform like this.”
Stony Brook faculty have already contributed to IJTTL, including Shyam Sharma from the Program in Writing and Rhetoric. Kong emphasized that while CELT supports faculty research, contributions remain voluntary.
IJTTL plans to publish at least one issue annually with another edition expected before fall semester 2025. As it grows, the journal hopes to become an essential resource for educators seeking improved teaching methods.
“This is a movement toward a more research-informed, student-centered approach to higher education,” said Kong.
“A huge thank you to Yiren for leading this effort!” said Tirotta-Esposito. “This achievement not only highlights the exceptional talent within our team but also marks an important step in positioning CELT as a leader in educational research.”
For those interested in contributing to IJTTL, more information can be found on its website.