The scholarship of teaching and learning has become an increasingly popular theme for discussion, research and practice in higher education over the last three decades. In essence, this idea recognizes the importance of taking a critical and research-based approach to teaching and learning, and, in doing so, attempts to elevate the status of the teaching role in comparison to research. This article explores the derivation and development of the scholarship of teaching and learning, and considers its application and critique, through a systematic review of the academic literature. It concludes that, while the scholarship of teaching and learning has been influential in terms of thinking, practice and policy – particularly at the level of the individual, course or department – it has not led to the development of new or innovative lines of research. While it might be argued that this was not its intention, it has limited its impact.