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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
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
2024
Journal Article
AI: Educating the educators
Konarova, Muxina, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Birkett, Greg, Bakharia, Aneesha, Howes, Tony, Rufford, Tom and O'Brien, Kate (2024). AI: Educating the educators. The Chemical Engineer, 26-28.
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
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
-
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
-
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: