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
-
Digital
Digital Transformation, Learning and Development in Organizations, Micro-credentials, Online Learning, Elearning, Hybrid Learning, Business School Research, Higher Education Curriculum, Higher Education, Higher Education Policy, Future of Learning,
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
2020
Journal Article
Managing expectations and developing trust: an evaluation of a public-private partnership
Huijser, Henk and Fitzgerald, Rachel (2020). Managing expectations and developing trust: an evaluation of a public-private partnership. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 36 (5), 58-70. doi: 10.14742/ajet.6368
2020
Journal Article
Partnerships for scaled online learning and the unbundling of the traditional university
Huijser, Henk, Fitzgerald, Rachel and Salmon, Gilly (2020). Partnerships for scaled online learning and the unbundling of the traditional university. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 36 (5), 1-4. doi: 10.14742/ajet.6664
2020
Book Chapter
Enabling Scholarship of Teaching and Learning activities across a curriculum design framework: a lever for faculty engagement
Meth, Deanna, Russell, Holly R., Fitzgerald, Rachel and Huijser, Henk (2020). Enabling Scholarship of Teaching and Learning activities across a curriculum design framework: a lever for faculty engagement. Evidence-based faculty development through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). (pp. 347-364) Hershey, PA USA: IGI Global. doi: 10.4018/978-1-7998-2212-7.ch018
2015
Journal Article
Adding value: open online learning and the MBA
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Anderson, Maggie and Thompson, Ross (2015). Adding value: open online learning and the MBA. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 13 (4), 250-259.
2015
Conference Publication
Ensuring quality in the delivery of TNE – Improving teaching practices
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2015). Ensuring quality in the delivery of TNE – Improving teaching practices. Transnational Education 2015: Widening the UK's Higher Education Market, London, United Kingdom, 04 March 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Transforming the first year experience (HE) with digital literacy via techno-social engagement and evaluation
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Henderson-Martin, Hayley (2015). Transforming the first year experience (HE) with digital literacy via techno-social engagement and evaluation. 14th European Conference on e-Learning, ECEL 2015, Hatfield, United Kingdom, 29 - 30 October 2015. London, United Kingdom: Academic Conferences.
2014
Conference Publication
Transforming higher education curriculum for transnational education
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2014). Transforming higher education curriculum for transnational education. UK Higher Education International Unit, London, United Kingdom, 22 May 2014. London, United Kingdom: UK Higher Education International Unit.
2014
Conference Publication
MOOC's mass marketing for a niche audience
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Anderson, Maggie and Thompson, Ross (2014). MOOC's mass marketing for a niche audience. 13th European Conference on e-Learning, ECEL 2014, Copenhagen, Denmark, 30 - 31 October 2014. Kidmore End: Academic Conferences.
2013
Journal Article
Out of sight, out of mind: capturing the distance (online) learner experience
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Corazzo, Paul (2013). Out of sight, out of mind: capturing the distance (online) learner experience. Enhancing the Learner Experience in Higher Education, 5 (1), 58-64. doi: 10.14234/elehe.v5i1.76
2011
Other Outputs
How can students become more involved as change agents in digital feedback strategies?
Cossu, Remo, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Fleming, Melanie and Mishiro, Keiko (2011). How can students become more involved as change agents in digital feedback strategies?. Online, University of the Sunshine Coast (Australian Students as Partners Network), held virtually: Australian Students as Partners Network (via Australian Students as Partners Roundtable 2022).
2011
Conference Publication
To what extent does a digital audio feedback strategy support large cohorts?
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2011). To what extent does a digital audio feedback strategy support large cohorts?. 10th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL), Brighton England, Nov 10-11, 2011. NR READING: Dechema e.V..
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald is:
- Available for supervision
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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
The influence of learning strategy instruction on academic self-concept development in enabling students
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Lodge
-
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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