Rate My Professor Rachel Buchanan
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Always fair, encouraging, and motivating.
Makes even dry topics interesting.
Helps students unlock their full potential.
Always supportive and deeply knowledgeable.
Great Professor!
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About Rachel
Professor Rachel Buchanan holds the position of Deputy Head of College in the College of Human and Social Futures at the University of Newcastle, Australia, where she also serves as Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) since January 2025. Previously, she was Associate Dean Education from 2022 to 2024 and Associate Professor in the School of Education from 2021 to 2025. Her academic journey at the University includes roles as Senior Lecturer (2016-2020), Lecturer (2010-2015), Deputy Head of School (Postgraduate Teaching and Learning) (2020-2021), Director of Student Experience (2014-2015), and various other leadership positions. Buchanan earned her PhD in Education, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), and Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. She has over 15 years of teaching experience in sociology of education, philosophy of education, educational leadership, ethics, education policy, professional studies, and ICT in education, securing teaching awards such as the Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence and Contribution to Student Learning (2014), DVC(A) Educator Innovation and Impact Award (2018), and Finalist for University of Newcastle Teaching Excellence Award (2019).
An interdisciplinary researcher, Professor Buchanan applies critical social theory to explore ethical and social justice implications in education policy and digital technologies. Her research specializations encompass digital education, digital identity, educational technology, equity and social justice, educational philosophy, politics of education, and online research. She has supervised Honours and Research Higher Degree students and collaborates on projects addressing equity issues in technology access and use. Key publications include the books "Online Research" (2024, co-authored with Tristram Hooley), "Introduction to Education" (2025, co-authored with Helen Sharp, Jennifer Charteris et al.), and "Introduction to Education: Knowledge, Practice, Engagement" (2021). Highly cited works feature "Teaching in the age of Covid-19" (2020, cited 334 times), "Embedding immersive virtual reality in classrooms: Ethical, organisational and educational lessons in bridging research and practice" (2019, 284 citations), and "Philosophy of Education in a New Key: exploring new ways of teaching and doing ethics in education in the 21st century" (2022, 134 citations). With over 2,400 citations, her scholarship impacts discussions on edtech equity. Awards include the Women in Research Fellowship (2018). She holds roles such as Treasurer of the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (2020-present), former Associate Editor of Educational Philosophy and Theory (2019-2020), and various committee contributions.
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