In this issue of LTHE we highlight the importance of reflection in understanding and developing learning and teaching in universities and colleges. Reflection has been described as "an active process of exploration and discovery which often leads to very unexpected outcomes" (Boud et al, 1985, p. 7). While everyone may agree that experience is an important part of an educator's developmental journey, the ability to reflect on that experience is a vital element of being able to learn from it.