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 the Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at The University of Queensland. Internationally recognised for her expertise in Digital Education, Rachel leads digital transformation and curriculum innovation across the university, with a strong focus on generative AI, inclusive pedagogy, and lifelong learning.
Rachel co-chairs the national TEFA Network, supporting over 1100 Education-Focused Academics across Australia, and serves as Senior Editor (Educational Technology) for the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice. She is actively engaged in national and international conversations on the ethical and impactful use of AI in higher education, and regularly contributes to sector conferences, symposia, and thought leadership.
Her current research and practice explore microcredentials, workplace learning, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in digitally enabled and AI-enhanced contexts.
Online Profiles
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/rmfitzgerald
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelmfitz
- Bluesky: @rmfitzg.bsky.social
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 Fitzgerald’s research focuses on the transformation of higher education through digital learning, curriculum innovation, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Her work directly supports educators and institutions to design inclusive, future-oriented learning experiences that respond to evolving student and workforce needs.
She has led the development of frameworks and resources that inform course and program design across disciplines, including the CRAFT framework for curriculum design in AI-enhanced learning environments. Her research underpins professional learning and academic development initiatives adopted at the institutional level and shared nationally through open-access publications and sector networks.
As co-chair of the TEFA Network, Rachel supports a national community of over 1100 Education-Focused Academics and contributes to sector-wide conversations on teaching excellence and the role of educators in an AI-enabled future.
Works
Search Professor Rachel Fitzgerald’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Other Outputs
Keynote: Leading the charge with AI in education and research in chemical engineering and applied chemistry
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2024). Keynote: Leading the charge with AI in education and research in chemical engineering and applied chemistry. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia: Australasian Institute of Chemical Engineers (Chemeca 2024).
2024
Other Outputs
Panel discussion: rethinking assessment in the age of AI
Khosravi, Hassan, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Kim, YJ and Zoanetti, Nathan (2024). Panel discussion: rethinking assessment in the age of AI. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: ASK4AI Summit, Monash University.
2024
Other Outputs
PANEL - Technology integration of GAI – the ethical use, data governance, and the potential impacts on educational equity and accessibility
Hol, Anna, Fitzgerald, Rachel and Gniel, Helen (2024). PANEL - Technology integration of GAI – the ethical use, data governance, and the potential impacts on educational equity and accessibility. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Terrapinn Australia.
2024
Conference Publication
Navigating Next Steps in Online and Digital Learning: Adaptive Challenges for Global Higher Education
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2024). Navigating Next Steps in Online and Digital Learning: Adaptive Challenges for Global Higher Education. International Conference on Education Development and Studies, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 4 - 26 April 2024. New York, NY United States: Association for Computing Machinery.
2024
Journal Article
Editorial: Artificial Intelligence is Awesome, but Good Teaching Should Always Come First
Crawford, Joseph, Vallis, Carmen, Yang, Jianhua, Fitzgerald, Rachel, O'Dea, Christine and Cowling, Michael (2024). Editorial: Artificial Intelligence is Awesome, but Good Teaching Should Always Come First. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 20 (7), 1-12. doi: 10.53761/sj1b6530
2024
Conference Publication
Building trust with AI: practical approaches for higher education
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2024). Building trust with AI: practical approaches for higher education. International Conference on Teaching and Teacher Education (ICTTE2024), Beijing, China, 20 June 2024.
2024
Other Outputs
Beyond the hype: Evaluate the impact of AI on learning (and get published) workshop
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Gribble, Lynne and Raiti, John (2024). Beyond the hype: Evaluate the impact of AI on learning (and get published) workshop. Online: Open Publishing Association.
2024
Book Chapter
Integrating GenAI in higher education
Newell, Samantha, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Hall, Kimberley, Mills, Jennie, Beynen, Tina, May, Ivy Chia Sook, Mason, Jon and Lai, Evelyn (2024). Integrating GenAI in higher education. Using Generative AI Effectively in Higher Education. (pp. 42-53) edited by Sue Beckingham, Jenny Lawrence, Stephen Powell and Peter Hartley. London: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003482918-7
2023
Conference Publication
Creating a dialogue about evaluation; a students-as-partners approach to feedback about learning and teaching
Cossu, Remo, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Birthisel, Marcus, Mishiro, Keiko, Lin, Ing Sheuan and Fleming, Melanie (2023). Creating a dialogue about evaluation; a students-as-partners approach to feedback about learning and teaching. 34th Australasian Association for Engineering Education Annual Conference: Adapting to the Changing Expectations of Students and Industry, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 3-6 December 2023. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: Australasian Association for Engineering Education.
2023
Book Chapter
A high impact program design framework to support future focused curriculum design
Russell, Holly, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Meth, Deanna and Huijser, Henk (2023). A high impact program design framework to support future focused curriculum design. High impact practices in higher education: International perspectives high impact practices in higher education. (pp. 29-44) edited by Enakshi Sengupta. Leeds, United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing. doi: 10.1108/S2055-364120230000051003
2023
Book Chapter
The opportunities and challenges in the portability and authentication of micro-credentials and short courses in a post-COVID landscape
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Huijser, Henk (2023). The opportunities and challenges in the portability and authentication of micro-credentials and short courses in a post-COVID landscape. Technology-enhanced learning and the virtual university. (pp. 1-13) edited by Michael David Sankey, Henk Huijser and Rachel Fitzgerald. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-9438-8_24-1
2023
Journal Article
Addressing the challenging elements of distance education
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Huijser, Henk, Altena, Sharon and Armellini, Ale (2023). Addressing the challenging elements of distance education. Distance Education, 44 (2), 207-212. doi: 10.1080/01587919.2023.2209527
2023
Book Chapter
The Role of Analytics When Supporting Staff and Students in the Virtual Learning Environment
Jones, Hazel and Fitzgerald, Rachel (2023). The Role of Analytics When Supporting Staff and Students in the Virtual Learning Environment. Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University. (pp. 187-200) Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-4170-4_11
2023
Book Chapter
The role of analytics when supporting staff and students in the virtual learning environment
Jones, Hazel and Fitzgerald, Rachel (2023). The role of analytics when supporting staff and students in the virtual learning environment. Technology-enhanced learning and the virtual university. (pp. 1-14) edited by Michael David Sankey, Henk Huijser and Rachel Fitzgerald. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-9438-8_11-1
2023
Book
Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University
Sankey, Michael David, Huijser, Henk and Fitzgerald, Rachel eds. (2023). Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University. University Development and Administration, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-9438-8
2023
Book Chapter
The Virtual University in Practice
Sankey, Michael David, Huijser, Henk and Fitzgerald, Rachel (2023). The Virtual University in Practice. Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University. (pp. 619-639) Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-4170-4_31
2023
Journal Article
Editorial: Artificial Intelligence is Awesome, but Good Teaching Should Always Come First
Crawford, Joseph, Vallis, Carmen, Yang, Jianhua, Fitzgerald, Rachel and O'dea, Christine (2023). Editorial: Artificial Intelligence is Awesome, but Good Teaching Should Always Come First. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 20 (7) 01. doi: 10.53761/1.20.7.01
2023
Book Chapter
The Virtual University: Moving from Fiction to Fact
Sankey, Michael David, Huijser, Henk and Fitzgerald, Rachel (2023). The Virtual University: Moving from Fiction to Fact. Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University. (pp. 3-19) Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-4170-4_1
2023
Book Chapter
The Opportunities and Challenges in the Portability and Authentication of Micro-credentials and Short Courses in a Post-COVID Landscape
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Huijser, Henk (2023). The Opportunities and Challenges in the Portability and Authentication of Micro-credentials and Short Courses in a Post-COVID Landscape. Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University. (pp. 465-477) Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-4170-4_24
2022
Conference Publication
Reconnecting lifelong learners through short courses and microcredentials designed with industry partners
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Huijser, Henk, Umarova, Anastasiya and Adachi, Chie (2022). Reconnecting lifelong learners through short courses and microcredentials designed with industry partners. ASCILITE 2022 Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 4-7 December 2022. Tugun, QLD, Australia: ASCILITE Publications. doi: 10.14742/apubs.2022.141
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
-
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
The influence of learning strategy instruction on academic self-concept development in enabling students
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Lodge
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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
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald directly for media enquiries about:
- Digital Education
- Digital Transformation
- Future of Business Education
- Future of Higher Education
- Integrity of Online Education
- Learning Analytics
- Learning and Development
- Learning and Teaching
- Micro-Credentials
- Online Learning Experience
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