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
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
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: