Rachel Fitzgerald
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/26807 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-institutes/bel/about/leaders
Associate Professor
Rachel Fitzgerald
Email: : rachel.fitzgerald@uq.edu.au
Phone: : +61 7 336 56575
Phone: : +61 7 334 67308
Positions
Associate Professor / Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) : School of Business : Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
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
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Availability
Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald is: : Available for supervision : Media expert
Fields of research
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services Education Education assessment and evaluation Education systems Educational administration, management and leadership Educational technology and computing Higher education
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.
Read more Read less - #### 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.
Read more Read less - #### 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.
Read more Read less - #### 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.
Read more Read less - #### 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.
Read more Read less - #### 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.
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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.
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Works
Search Professor Rachel Fitzgerald’s works on UQ eSpace
All (57) Book (2) Journal Article (13) Other Outputs (15) Conference Publication (17) Book Chapter (10)
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Student-staff partnerships in academic development: the course design studio as a model for sustainable course-wide impact
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Huijser, Henk, Meth, Deanna and Neilan, Kellene (2020). Student-staff partnerships in academic development: the course design studio as a model for sustainable course-wide impact. International Journal for Academic Development, 25 (2), 134-146. doi: 10.1080/1360144X.2019.1631170
2025
Conference Publication
How are we tracking AI adoption and digital maturity in higher education?
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Ech-Chadli, Amin, Yap SJ, Fr Roberto C., Bayerlein, Leopold and Ajdari, Robin (2025). How are we tracking AI adoption and digital maturity in higher education?. Digital Education Council Global Summit, Hong Kong, 4–5 November 2025. Hong Kong: Digital Education Council.
How are we tracking AI adoption and digital maturity in higher education?
2025
Journal Article
Re-thinking SoTL for the age of GenAI: diffracted, entangled, and human
Mills, Jennie, Beynen, Tina, Chia Sook May, Ivy, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Hall, Kimberly A., Lai, Evelyn, Mason, Jon and Newell, Samantha (2025). Re-thinking SoTL for the age of GenAI: diffracted, entangled, and human. Teaching and Learning Inquiry, 13 49, 1-19. doi: 10.20343/teachlearninqu.13.49
Re-thinking SoTL for the age of GenAI: diffracted, entangled, and human
2025
Book Chapter
Teaching that transforms: reimagining higher education in the age of AI
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Teaching that transforms: reimagining higher education in the age of AI. Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice. (pp. *-*) edited by Rachel Fitzgerald. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/d4aaaf6
Teaching that transforms: reimagining higher education in the age of AI
2025
Book
Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice
Rachel Fitzgerald ed. (2025). Inquiry in action: using AI to reimagine learning and teaching: case studies from the frontline of higher education practice. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/a18431b
2025
Journal Article
Editorial: Framing the Future with a Research Agenda for Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
Fitzgerald, Rachel, Amantha Kumar, Jeya, Roe, Jasper, Roehrer, Erin and Yang, Jianhua (2025). Editorial: Framing the Future with a Research Agenda for Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 22 (4) 63. doi: 10.53761/jwt7ra63
Editorial: Framing the Future with a Research Agenda for Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
2025
Conference Publication
Panel member – Career pathways for education-focused academics
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Panel member – Career pathways for education-focused academics. AoFE Symposium, Online, 24 July 2025. Australia: Alliance of Finance Educators (AoFE).
Panel member – Career pathways for education-focused academics
2025
Other Outputs
AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly
Fitzgerald, Rachel and Curtis, Caitlin (2025, 07 18). AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly The Conversation doi: 10.64628/AA.xf4cq7epn
AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly
2025
Other Outputs
Balancing scalability with student-centered approaches
Hol, Anna, Fitzgerald, Rachel, Beavis, Alison and Li, Ian (2025). Balancing scalability with student-centered approaches. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Terrapin EDUTech_AU.
Balancing scalability with student-centered approaches
2025
Conference Publication
Beyond engagement: student-informed approaches to AI-enabled learning
Fitzgerald, Rachel (2025). Beyond engagement: student-informed approaches to AI-enabled learning. EDUtech Australia 2025, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 11-12 June 2025.
Beyond engagement: student-informed approaches to AI-enabled learning
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
Critical studies of education and technology … reasons to be hopeful?
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.
Beyond the theory: trust, agency, and pedagogical transformation in the age of Generative AI
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).
Can we trust AI? Challenges, risks, and opportunities
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.
Building trust with AI: practical approaches for higher education
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
The future of higher education: Why online learning design still matters
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
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
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.
Funding
Past funding
- 2021 - 2022
Development of an experiential real-work simulation focused on Strategic Decision-Making
Practera
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:
- 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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