Rachel Wicaksono

Professor Rachel Wicaksono

Executive Dean Of Childhood & Social Care

Executive Dean

School of Childhood & Social Care

I am a Professor of Education and Executive Dean of the School of Childhood and Social Care at the University of East London.

Qualifications

  • EdD
  • MA (Oxon)
  • MA TESOL
  • BA (Hons)
  • RSA Cert TEFLA
  • RSA Dip TEFLA

Areas Of Interest

  • Qualitative research methods
  • Discourse analysis
  • Research interviews
  • Ontology
  • Community-engaged research
Rachel Wicaksono

OVERVIEW

With over two decades of senior leadership experience in higher education, I’ve led multidisciplinary teams and driven significant improvements in student outcomes, staff development, and institutional sustainability. I am passionate about values-led leadership and committed to fostering inclusive, high-quality education across all levels and modes of study.

Alongside my leadership responsibilities, I maintain an active research and teaching profile. I supervise doctoral students, examine internationally, and teach on postgraduate programmes in Education. I am a co-author of a widely adopted textbook (now in its third edition), and a HEA National Teaching Fellow. I am a member of the British Council’s English Language Advisory Group.

I also enjoy engaging with the wider community through various trustee roles, public scholarship, and creative collaborations that bring research to life for diverse audiences.

I have taught, directed, and inspected courses in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the UK, and Vietnam. 

RESEARCH AND IMPACT

My research focuses on ontologies of English, social justice in language education, and the internationalisation of Higher Education. 

I am a co-author of the British Council-funded ‘Changing Englishes’ website, CPD for teachers around the world, and the pathway to impact for a successful REF2014 and REF2019 Impact Case Study.

EXTERNAL ROLES

I am a member of the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL) and was a member of the BAAL Executive Board 2016-2025. As Membership Secretary of BAAL, I managed a worldwide membership and designed and introduced a ‘Solidarity Membership’ scheme to offer support for members around the world in precarious professional situations.

Between 2006 and 2016, I was a freelance writer and broadcaster for the BBC World Service. ‘Learning English’ programmes I wrote and broadcast were translated into more than six languages.

INDUSTRY LINKS

I am a Trustee of the Wilf Ward Family Trust, a registered charity that provides support, choice and opportunity for adults with profound learning and physical disabilities.

Publications

Visit the research repository to view a full list of publications.

Publications

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Full publications list

Visit the research repository to view a full list of publications

Research repository

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