Professor Rachael Hains-Wesson
Details
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College: School of GUSS
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Department: School of GUSS
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Campus: City Campus Australia
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rachael.hains-wesson@rmit.edu.au
Open to
- Collaborative projects
- Industry Projects
- Membership of an advisory committee
About
Professor in Education and Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching, School of Global, Urban, and Social Studies, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Rachael Hains-Wesson is passionate about innovative educational practices, enhancing student learning experiences, and leading transformative teaching strategies. Dedicated to fostering academic excellence, she integrates Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) into higher education to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. Rachael began her career working in the not-for-profit sector for three years, focusing on social employability initiatives for disadvantaged travellers across Europe and Israel. Following this, she served in the Navy, where she developed a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and resilience. These experiences broadened her understanding of global challenges and fuelled her commitment to creating inclusive educational pathways. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, the creative industries, and international education, she has worked as an editor, publisher, and practitioner in diverse local, national, and global enterprises. She has also held visiting scholar and research expert positions at prominent institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Southern California, Elon University, and the University of Waterloo (Canada), further contributing to her expertise in higher education research and practice.
Rachael holds two PhDs: one in Creative Writing from the University of Western Australia and another in Higher Education Teaching and Learning from Deakin University. She also holds a Diploma in Health Sciences from Charles Sturt University and a Diploma in Theatre Studies from Swinburne University, as well as a Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Graduate Diploma in Higher Education from Murdoch University. An active member of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA), Rachael serves as a fellowship mentor, past branch co-secretary, and committee member. She is also part of the Academy of Reviewers for its high-impact journal. Rachael has received numerous awards, including a National Citation for Teaching and Learning, a QS Re-imagined (Gold) award, and is a Senior and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). She has published extensively in education research, contributing significantly to the field.
Highlights
o A Queen Elizabeth 11 Silver Jubilee Trust for Young Australians (2000), Victoria, Australia.
o A QS Re-imagine Education Gold Award (2020) in the “Nurturing Employability Category”, University Sydney Business School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
o A National Citation (AAUT, 2021) for “Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning”, Work-Integrated Learning Hub, University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
o Extensive industry experience, providing academic development and training in creative and performing arts, pre-, post-hospital, and dental care. Performance design and business education (since 1996).
o Maintained an average of 9.80/10.00 USS results for +1000 enrolments in placement and non-placement work-integrated learning programs, Swinburne University of Technology (2015-2017).
o Maintained an average of 4.30/5.00 USS results for +3000 enrolments in placement and non-placement work-integrated learning programs, University of Sydney Business School (2017-2023).
o +30,000 YouTube views for her “Education Resource Playlists”, +113 videos, and +70 subscribers.
o High impact and thought leadership articles in major print outlets, Future Campus, HERDSA Connect, Times Higher Education, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Disruptive Innovations in Business Education Research Group Blog and London School of Economics Impact Blog.
o Founder of multiple Work-Integrated Learning Hubs with budgets of +$2 million (AUSD) p/a (since 2015).
o Successfully implemented multiple learning and teaching strategic initiatives, and large scale curriculum enhancement programs throughout Australia’s higher education sector (since 2011).
o Published globally on employability skill development via key white papers, such as “Employability and Career Development” cited in Baijiahao receiving 3.12 million reader views, WeChat, Zhihu as well as Sohu receiving over 13,000 views via 230-page hits and via Huanqiu, People’s Daily online and Global Times with over 4.5 million viewers.
o Received multiple Vice Chancellor’s Teaching and Learning Excellence Award nominations from peers and students.
o Provided multiple open access academic development resources (i.e., how-to-guides in teacher scholarship) to improve teaching and learning quality standards.
o Published peer-reviewed, double blinded research articles in high impact education journals, SJR Q1-2 and Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) listed: IJWIL, SinHE, HERD and IIER.
o Founder and Director of the Employability and Work-Integrated Learning Research Group, partnering with the Work-Learn Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada.
o Received multiple, competitive, and prestigious higher education association grants and award nominations: ACEN, WACE, HERDSA.
o Received both the Principal and Senior HEA (UK) as well as a HERDSA (Australasia) Fellowship in teaching and learning excellence.
o An accredited HEA (UK) and HERDSA mentor and HEA (UK) D3 assessor (since 2021).
o Recipient of an internationally renowned and highly competitive research fellowship, Centre for Engaged Learning, Elon University, USA (2022-2024).
o Mentor and academic ambassador, Asia Pacific Women in Leadership Program, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (2022-2024).
Media
Research fields
- 39 Education
UN sustainable development goals
- 5 Gender Equality
- 4 Quality Education
Academic positions
- Academic Board Member
- Global Technology and Business Institute Pty Ltd
- , Australia
- 9 Jul 2024 – Present
- Professor in Education and Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
- School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS)
- Melbourne, Australia
- 29 Jul 2024 – Present
- Academic Director (Associate Professor) and Head of Discipline, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
- University of Sydney
- Work-Integrated Learning Hub, Business School
- Sydney, Australia
- 1 May 2017 – 26 Jul 2024
- Academic Director (Senior Lecturer) WIL
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Office of the DVCE, Swinburne Advantage
- Melbourne, Australia
- 5 Jan 2015 – 28 Apr 2017
- Associate Lecturer e-portfolios
- Federation University
- Centre for Learning and Professional Practice
- Ballarat, Australia
- 6 Feb 2012 – 5 Nov 2012
- Lecturer in Blended Learning
- Deakin University
- Office of the DVCE
- Melbourne, Australia
- 3 Dec 2012 – 5 Jan 2015
Non-academic positions
- Director and CEO
- Odd Socks Theatre Company
- , Australia
- 3 Jan 2000 – 16 Dec 2005
- Leading Para-medic
- Royal Australian Navy
- , Australia
- 8 Jan 1996 – 17 Dec 1999
Teaching interests
Higher Degreee by Research
Completions
Higher Degree by Research: Student Supervision
Student: Sara Ratner
Role: Co-Supervisor
Lead Supervisor: Professor Jim (James) Tognolini and Associate Professor Sofia Kesidou
University: Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment, University of Sydney
Topic: Assessing what matters in education
Date confirmed: June 2024
In-progress
Higher Degree by Research: Student Supervision
Student: Robyn Martin
Role: Lead Supervisor
Co-supervisor: Professor Jim (James) Tognolini
University: Centre for Educational Measurement and Assessment, University of Sydney
Title: Measuring teachers’ professional development to improve student learning outcomes
Status: PhD Candidate (first year), 2023
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
2024
BWIL6100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem1) (PG) (in-person)
4.46/5
2024
BWIL2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
4.20/5
2023
BWIL2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem 1) (UG) (in-person)
*4.48/5
2023
BWIL6100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem1) (PG) (in-person)
4.42/5
2023
BWIL6300
University of Sydney Business School
Business Consulting (Sem2) (PG) (in-person/hybrid)
*4.24/5
2023
BWIL6100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem2) (PG) (in-person)
*4.50/5
2023
BWIL2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem2) (UG) (in-person)
*4.49/5
2023
BWIL6150
University of Sydney Business School
Experience in Industry (Sem1) (PG) (in-person)
*4.25/5
2023
BWIL2150
University of Sydney Business School
Experience in Industry (Sem 1) (UG) (in-person)
*4.45/5
2023
BWIL6573
University of Sydney Business School
Job Smart Edge (Oct) (PG) (online)
*4.39/5
2022
BUSS2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
*4.36/5
2022
BUSS6104
University of Sydney Business School
Business Practicum (Sem1) (PG) (in-person)
*4.52/5
2022
BUSS6500
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem1) (PG) (in-person)
*4.69/5
2022
BWIL6573
University of Sydney Business School
Job Smart Edge (Oct) (PG) (online)
*4.53/5
2022
BUSS2504
University of Sydney Business School
China Placement Program (Winter) (UG) (in-person/hybrid)
4.22/5
2022
BUSS6506
University of Sydney Business School
China Placement Program (Winter) (PG) (in-person/hybrid)
4.26/5
2022
BUSS6104
University of Sydney Business School
Business Practicum (Winter) (PG) (in-person)
*4.3/5
2021
BUSS2504
University of Sydney Business School
China Placement Program (Winter) (UG) (in-person/hybrid)
4.00/5
2021
BUSS6104
University of Sydney Business School
Business Practicum (Sem1) (PG) (in-person)
*4.35/5
2021
BUSS6104
University of Sydney Business School
Business Practicum (Sem2) (PG) (online)
*4.57/5
2021
BUSS6102
University of Sydney Business School
Job Smart Edge (Sem2) (PG) (online)
*4.25/5
2021
BUSS6102
University of Sydney Business School
Job Smart Edge (April) (PG) (online)
*4.87/5
2020
BUSS6102
University of Sydney Business School
Job Smart Edge (pilot) (PG) (online)
*4.46/5
2020
BUSS6104
University of Sydney Business School
Business Practicum (Sem1) (PG) (in-person/hybrid)
*4.12/5
2019
BUSS2342
University of Sydney Business School
USA Study Tour (Winter) ((UG)
*4.14/5
2019
BUSS2342
University of Sydney Business School
China Study Tour (Winter) (UG) (in-person)
4.56/5
2019
BUSS6104
University of Sydney Business School
Business Practicum (Sem2) (PG) (in-person/hybrid)
*4.17/5
2018
BUSS2000
University of Sydney Business School
Indonesia Placements (Winter) (pilot) (UG) (in-person)
*3.06/5
2018
BUSS2501
University of Sydney Business School
USA Placement Program (Summer) (UG) (in-person)
*4.50/5
2018
BUSS2501
University of Sydney Business School
USA Placement Program (Summer) (UG) (in-person)
*4.50/5
2018
BUSS2330
University of Sydney Business School
China Study Tour (Winter) (UG) (in-person) (pilot)
4.00/5
2018
BUSS2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
*4.62/5
2018
BUSS2200
University of Sydney Business School
Experience in Industry (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
*4.6/5
2018
BUSS2503
University of Sydney (Allianz)
Industry and Community Project 16 (UG) (in-person)
*4.77/5
2018
BUSS2503
University of Sydney (Virtual Reality)
Industry and Community Project 35 (UG) (in-person)
*4.20/5
2018
BUSS2503
University of Sydney (Impact of AI)
Industry and Community Project 36 (UG) (in-person)
*4.08/5
2018
BUSS2503
University of Sydney (Impact of AI)
Industry and Community Project 39 (UG) (in-person)
*4.75/5
2018 & 2017
BUSS3110
BUSS6505
University of Sydney (Impact of Drones)
University of Sydney Business School
Industry and Community Project 37 (UG) (in-person)
NEXT (Sem2) (Industry Projects) (PG) (online/hybrid)
*4.40/5
*4.19/5
2017
BUSS2503
University of Sydney Business School
Community Placement Program (Thrive, Refugee Project)
*4.7/5
2017
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Samoa Study Tour (Summer) (UG) (in-person)
9.8/10
2017
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Placement Program A (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
9.8/10
2017
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Placement Program B (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
9.8/10
2017
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Work Experience A (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
9.8/10
2017
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Work Experience B (Sem1) (UG) (in-person)
9.8/10
2017
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Career Management (Sem1) (PG) (in-person)
9.8/10
2016
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Malaysia Placement Program (Summer) (UG) (in-person)
*9.8/10
2016
SWIN3000
Swinburne University of Technology
Philippines Study Tour (Summer) (UG) (in-person)
*9.8/10
2012
FEDU3000
Federation University
Communication Skills (PG) (online)
*9.8/10
2010
UWA2000
University of Western Australia
Introduction to Creative Writing (Sem2) (UG) (in-person)
4.8/5
2009
UWA2000
University of Western Australia
Introduction to Creative Writing (Sem2) (UG) (in-person)
4.8/5
2008
UWA2000
University of Western Australia
Introduction to Creative Writing (Sem2) (UG) (in-person)
4.8/5
DESIGNED
2023
BWIL2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (UG) (in-person)
2023
BWIL6100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (PG) (in-person)
2022
BWIL2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (UG) (in-person)
2022
BWIL6100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (PG) (in-person)
2021
BUSS2000
University of Sydney Business School
*USA Industry Placement Program (UG) (in-person)
2021
BUSS6000
University of Sydney Business School
*USA Industry Placement Program (PG) (in-person)
2020
BUSS2504
University of Sydney Business School
China Industry Placement Program (UG) (in-person)
2020
BUSS6506
University of Sydney Business School
China Industry Placement Program (PG) (in-person)
2020
BUSS6104
University of Sydney Business School
*Business Practicum (PG) (in-person/hybrid)
2020
BUSS1321
University of Sydney Business School
*Business Practicum (UG) (in-person/hybrid)
2019
BUSS2000
University of Sydney Business School
*USA Study Tour (UG) (in-person)
2019
BUSS2000
University of Sydney Business School
*Experience in Industry (self-sourced placements) (UG) (in-person)
2019
BUSS6000
University of Sydney Business School
*Experience in Industry (self-sourced placements) (PG) (in-person)
2019
BUSS6000
University of Sydney Business School
*Job Smart Edge Program (PG) (online)
2019
BUSS6510
University of Sydney Business School
*CAMP: China Study Tour (PG) (in-person)
2018
ASNS2665
University of Sydney Business School
*Indonesia Placement Program (UG) (in-person)
2018
BUSS2330
University of Sydney Business School
China Study Tour: Future of Business (UG) (in-person)
2018
BUSS2505
BUSS6511
University of Sydney Business School
University of Sydney Business School
*Industry Placement Program (Chile) (UG) (in-person)
*Industry Placement Program (Chile) (PG) (in-person)
2018
BUSS2502 BUSS6504
University of Sydney Business School
University of Sydney Business School
*Industry Placement Program (Paris) (UG) (in-person)
*Industry Placement Program (Paris) (PG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS6505
University of Sydney Business School
*NEXT program (Industry Projects) (PG) (online)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS3110
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS2503
University of Sydney (pilot)
*Industry and Community Projects (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS2100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (UG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS6100
University of Sydney Business School
Industry Placement Program (PG) (in-person)
2017
BUSS2503
University of Sydney Business School
*Community Placement Project (Fiji and Vietnam) (online)
2016
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Samoa Study Tour (UG) (in-person)
2016
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Career Management (PG) (in-person)
2015
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Malaysia Placement Program (UG) (in-person)
2015
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Placement Program A (UG) (in-person)
2015
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Placement Program B (UG) (in-person)
2015
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Work Experience A (UG) (in-person)
2015
SWIN2000
Swinburne University of Technology
Work experience B (UG) (in-person)
2012
FEDU3000
Federation University
Communication Skills (PG) (online)
2007
UWA2000
University of Western Australia
Introduction to Creative Writing (UG) (in-person)
*I am/was the lead educator with overall responsibility to develop and implement the units, including unit coordination and tutor allocations, training, mentoring, staff onboarding, and undertaking team-teaching via a purposely designed philosophy of practice. My role included curriculum design/re-design, assessment structure, constructive alignment, quality assurance, standards, and governance as well as overall budget responsibilities (+2.5 million, AUD). My role also included industry partnership securement and risk management oversight to meet university policy and TEQSA accreditation requirements. Thus, the USS results marked with * are not solely mine and/or unknown as of implementing a team-teaching approach. All other unit evaluations reflect my individual USS results.
Research interests
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
- Lived experience research
- Autoethnography
- Group autoethnography
- Employability
- Work-Integrated Learning
- Authentic Assessment
