Rachel Fitzgerald
- Email:
- rachel.fitzgerald@uq.edu.au
- Phone:
- +61 7 336 56575
- Phone:
- +61 7 334 67308
Overview
Background
Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald is Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at The University of Queensland, where she leads strategic initiatives in digital education, curriculum innovation, assessment transformation, and teaching quality. Her work focuses on responsible AI in higher education, online learning design, assessment innovation, and future-focused curriculum development.
Rachel chairs UQ’s Digital Learning Sub-Committee and is Chair of the national Teaching and Education Focused Academic (TEFA) Network, representing more than 1,400 Education Focused academics across Australia. She is also Editor in Chief of the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice and a Principal Fellow of Advance HE (PFHEA), recognised for sustained strategic leadership in higher education teaching and learning.
Her research and leadership explore the intersection of AI, digital transformation, pedagogy, and academic development, with a particular focus on ethical and human-centred approaches to educational innovation. Rachel contributes to national and international policy discussions, keynote events, and sector initiatives related to AI, assessment, online learning, and teaching quality.
Her recent publications include the Springer Nature book: Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University, the Routledge book: Navigating the Impossible in Online Learning Design and a UQ Pressbooks pubication Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice.
Areas of expertise include:
- Generative AI in higher education
- Digital learning and online pedagogy
- Assessment and academic integrity
- Curriculum innovation and learning design
- Teaching quality and academic development
- Lifelong learning and microcredentials
Availability
- Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Computer Science, University of Northampton
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Lancaster
Research interests
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Digital Learning Strategy and Online Education Transformation
Exploring evidence-based digital pedagogy, hybrid education models and large-scale online learning design. My research focuses on scalable curriculum frameworks, technology-enhanced learning and strategic digital transformation.
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Micro-credentials and Lifelong Learning Innovation
Researching micro-credentials, stackable short courses and industry-aligned learning models. My work explores credential portability, flexible education strategy and the role of lifelong learning within contemporary higher education systems.
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Generative AI in Higher Education Policy and Practice
Researching the strategic, ethical and governance implications of generative AI in higher education, with a focus on assessment redesign, academic integrity, institutional policy and sector reform. My work examines how universities can integrate AI responsibly while protecting academic standards, equity and student learning outcomes.
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Responsible AI and Assessment Security
Investigating secure and future-focused assessment design in response to artificial intelligence. This includes programmatic assessment, TEQSA compliance, policy development and institutional governance frameworks that ensure awards remain credible in AI-enabled environments.
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Teaching-Focused Academic Leadership and Career Reform
Examining the professional identity, leadership development and promotion pathways of teaching-focused academics. This work informs institutional policy reform and national advocacy through leadership of the Teaching and Education Focused Academic (TEFA) Network.
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Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Advancing rigorous Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research in digital pedagogy, AI-enabled education and curriculum innovation. As Lead Editor (Educational Technology) for JUTLP, I support global research that bridges policy, practice and impact.
Research impacts
Rachel’s research and leadership have influenced policy, practice, and professional development in digital education and AI-enhanced learning across Australia and internationally. Her work has informed institutional approaches to responsible AI, assessment redesign, and online learning strategy at university and sector levels.
She has led cross-disciplinary initiatives exploring the ethical and effective integration of generative AI into curriculum and assessment, including university-wide teaching innovation projects and national conversations on teaching quality and academic practice. Through her leadership of the TEFA Network, she has helped create a national community supporting teaching and education-focused academics and contributed to policy discussions connected to the Australian Universities Accord and future tertiary education reform.
Rachel’s research has also shaped practical approaches to online learning design, student engagement, and lifelong learning through partnerships with universities, industry, and professional bodies in Australia, the UK, and Europe. Her publications, keynote presentations, editorial leadership, and open educational initiatives support educators and institutions navigating digital transformation in higher education.
Works
Search Professor Rachel Fitzgerald’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Student-staff partnerships in academic development: the course design studio as a model for sustainable course-wide impact
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Huijser, Henk, Meth, Deanna and Neilan, Kellene (2020). Student-staff partnerships in academic development: the course design studio as a model for sustainable course-wide impact. International Journal for Academic Development, 25 (2), 134-146. doi: 10.1080/1360144X.2019.1631170
2026
Journal Article
The Essay and Multiple Choice Questionnaires Are Not Dead, But No Longer Enough: Generative AI and Assurance of Learning
Crawford, Joseph, Fitzgerald, Rachel and Taylor, Louise (2026). The Essay and Multiple Choice Questionnaires Are Not Dead, But No Longer Enough: Generative AI and Assurance of Learning. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 23 (1) 628, 1. doi: 10.53761/sxwqc628
2025
Conference Publication
How are we tracking AI adoption and digital maturity in higher education?
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Ech-Chadli, Amin, Yap SJ, Fr Roberto C., Bayerlein, Leopold and Ajdari, Robin (2025). How are we tracking AI adoption and digital maturity in higher education?. Digital Education Council Global Summit, Hong Kong, 4–5 November 2025. Hong Kong: Digital Education Council.
2025
Journal Article
Re-thinking SoTL for the age of GenAI: diffracted, entangled, and human
Mills, Jennie, Beynen, Tina, Chia Sook May, Ivy, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Hall, Kimberly A., Lai, Evelyn, Mason, Jon and Newell, Samantha (2025). Re-thinking SoTL for the age of GenAI: diffracted, entangled, and human. Teaching and Learning Inquiry, 13 49, 1-19. doi: 10.20343/teachlearninqu.13.49
2025
Book Chapter
Teaching that transforms: reimagining higher education in the age of AI
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Teaching that transforms: reimagining higher education in the age of AI. Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice. (pp. *-*) edited by Rachel Fitzgerald. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/d4aaaf6
2025
Book
Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice
Rachel Fitzgerald ed. (2025). Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/a18431b
2025
Journal Article
Editorial: Framing the future with a research agenda for artificial intelligence in higher education
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Amantha Kumar, Jeya, Roe, Jasper, Roehrer, Erin and Yang, Jianhua (2025). Editorial: Framing the future with a research agenda for artificial intelligence in higher education. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 22 (4) 63, 1-12. doi: 10.53761/jwt7ra63
2025
Conference Publication
Panel member – Career pathways for education-focused academics
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Panel member – Career pathways for education-focused academics. AoFE Symposium, Online, 24 July 2025. Australia: Alliance of Finance Educators (AoFE).
2025
Other Outputs
AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Curtis, Caitlin (2025, 07 18). AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly The Conversation doi: 10.64628/AA.xf4cq7epn
2025
Other Outputs
Balancing scalability with student-centered approaches
Hol, Anna, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Beavis, Alison and Li, Ian (2025). Balancing scalability with student-centered approaches. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Terrapin EDUTech_AU.
2025
Conference Publication
Beyond engagement: student-informed approaches to AI-enabled learning
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Beyond engagement: student-informed approaches to AI-enabled learning. EDUtech Australia 2025, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 11-12 June 2025.
2025
Other Outputs
Critical studies of education and technology … reasons to be hopeful?
CSET collective and Fitzgerald, Rachel (CEST collective member) (2025). Critical studies of education and technology … reasons to be hopeful?. Melbourne, VIC Australia: Monash University. doi: 10.26180/29265038
2025
Conference Publication
Beyond the theory: trust, agency, and pedagogical transformation in the age of Generative AI
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Beyond the theory: trust, agency, and pedagogical transformation in the age of Generative AI. International Conference for Education Development and Studies, Oxford, United Kingdom, 26 - 28 March 2025.
2025
Other Outputs
Can we trust AI? Challenges, risks, and opportunities
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Yang, Jianhua and Fischer, Isabel (2025). Can we trust AI? Challenges, risks, and opportunities. Coventry, United Kingdom: Warwick International Higher Education Academy (WIHEA).
2025
Other Outputs
The virtual university as a frontier for navigating new learning spaces, pedagogies, and technologies
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). The virtual university as a frontier for navigating new learning spaces, pedagogies, and technologies. Valencia, Spain: INTED (International Technology, Education and Development Conference).
2025
Conference Publication
Building trust with AI
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Building trust with AI. Artificial Intelligence Symposium 2025, Virtual, 25 February 2025. York: Advance HE.
2025
Other Outputs
Building trust with AI: practical approaches for higher education
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Building trust with AI: practical approaches for higher education. Dublin, Ireland: European Academic Assembly (EAA) / Dublin City University.
2024
Other Outputs
The future of higher education: Why online learning design still matters
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Huijser, Henk (2024, 11 25). The future of higher education: Why online learning design still matters
2024
Other Outputs
Connecting and collaborating: Building the TEFA Network to advocate for and support teaching and education-focused academics
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Williams, Stephen George, Fawns, Tim, Gribble, Lynn, Waller, Karena and Matthews, Kelly (2024, 11 11). Connecting and collaborating: Building the TEFA Network to advocate for and support teaching and education-focused academics
2024
Journal Article
The Virtual University as a Frontier for Navigating New Learning Spaces, Pedagogies, and Technologies
Sankey, Michael, Huijser, Henk and Fitzgerald, Rachel (2024). The Virtual University as a Frontier for Navigating New Learning Spaces, Pedagogies, and Technologies. ASCILITE Publications, 156-158. doi: 10.14742/apubs.2024.1139
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Examining the Process of Assessment Innovation in Business Education: A Complex Adaptive Systems Approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Christine Slade
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Doctor Philosophy
An Empirical Study on Entrepreneurial Orientation and Entrepreneurial Learning Programmes in Shaping Female Entrepreneurs Efficacy in Oman
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Russell Manfield
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Doctor Philosophy
The influence of learning strategy instruction on academic self-concept development in enabling students
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Lodge
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald directly for media enquiries about:
- Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
- Assessment and Academic Integrity
- Digital Education
- Future of Universities
- Higher Education
- Teaching Quality
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