Rachel holds a master’s degree in Education and International Development from the UCL Institute of Education. She also holds an MA (Cantab) and BA (Hons) in Archaeology and Anthropology from the University of Cambridge, as well as an RSA Diploma in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language. She was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2019.

Rachel has held a number roles in UK Higher Education. Before joining King’s Foundations Rachel led the Academic Development Centre at the University of Sunderland in London, and prior to that was Academic Director of the University of Greenwich International College.

Rachel’s early career was spent teaching English in Southeast Asia before returning to the UK to take up a role in the UCL Language Centre. Following this, Rachel worked in the Foundation College at SOAS University of London for several years, managing the international foundation programme, before becoming Head of Learning and Teaching and finally interim Co-Head of Department. She has been an external examiner at the University of Leeds, and following a year working within Advance HE’s Equality Charters is an Advance HE Associate - working predominantly on the Athena Swan Charter.

Rachel has always enjoyed working with international students and currently sits on the recruitment committee of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

Rachel’s interests are in the practical application of educational and pedagogical research in improving teaching and learning, the student experience and student outcomes. Rachel is interested in compassionate pedagogy, decolonising the curriculum and inclusive approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.

Rachel has a particular interest in the experience of international students. She was commissioned to write a module on effective communication for an interactive online course, International Student Success which supports international students on higher education programmes at a number of UK universities. She has also contributed to recent QAA Guidance on Supporting and enhancing the experience of international students in the UK.