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
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
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. doi: 10.1007/978-981-99-4170-4_31
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
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 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
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 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
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
2022
Journal Article
Supporting university students’ learning across time and space: a from-scratch, personalised and mobile-friendly approach
Rossiter, Eliza, Thomson, T.J. and Fitzgerald, Rachel (2022). Supporting university students’ learning across time and space: a from-scratch, personalised and mobile-friendly approach. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 21 (1), 108-130. doi: 10.1108/itse-07-2022-0082
2022
Conference Publication
A personalized approach to learning across time and space
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Rossiter, Eliza and Thompson, T. J. (2022). A personalized approach to learning across time and space. 1st European Conference on e-Learning - ECEL 2022, Brighton, United Kingdom, 27-28 October 2022. Kidmore End, United Kingdom: Academic Conferences International. doi: 10.34190/ecel.21.1.901
2022
Conference Publication
A personalized approach to flexible learning
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Rossiter, Eliza and Thompson, T. J. (2022). A personalized approach to flexible learning. 21st European Conference on e-Learning, ECEL 2022, Brighton, United Kingdom, 27 – 28 October 2022. Sonning Common, United Kingdom: Academic Conferences and Publishing International.
2021
Conference Publication
Exploring industry-university partnerships in the creation of short courses and micro-credentials
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Huijser, Henk (2021). Exploring industry-university partnerships in the creation of short courses and micro-credentials. ASCILITE 2021: Back to the Future, Armidale, NSW Australia, 29 November - 1 December 2021. Armidale, NSW Australia: University of New England. doi: 10.14742/ascilite2021.0149
2020
Other Outputs
Partnerships for scaled online learning and the unbundling of the traditional university (Australasian session)
Huijser, Henk, Fitzgerald, Rachel and Salmon, Gilly (2020). Partnerships for scaled online learning and the unbundling of the traditional university (Australasian session). Tugun, QLD, Australia: Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE).
2020
Other Outputs
Partnerships for scaled online learning and the unbundling of the traditional university (European session)
Huijser, Henk, Fitzgerald, Rachel and Salmon, Gilly (2020). Partnerships for scaled online learning and the unbundling of the traditional university (European session). Online webinar hosted by ASCILITE: Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE).
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
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
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.
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
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:
- 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: