The Teaching Change in Higher Education Framework identifies four sets of forces that can hinder or support change. Each initiative, large or small, is influenced by hindering and supporting forces causing success to be uneven. Recognizing specific forces improves initiative design, shapes meaningful stakeholder engagement, and focuses efforts to implement and evidence.

Catalysts such as institutional initiatives, national association requirements, departmental approaches, educational development, and individual reflection can be leveraged to shift identified forces towards enabling change.