Rachael is an Associate Professor in the Academic and Professional Writing Programme at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University, whose career has focussed on the intersections of language and education.  She is interested in many aspects of language, specifically reading, writing and analysis of written texts.  She is also interested in many aspects of education, specifically language education policies, the development of academic reading and writing skills and teaching and assessment of language.  Where these comes together is an area of considerable interest for Rachael.  Areas such as English for Academic Purposes, the internationalization of higher education and the impacts of English Medium Instruction are at the centre of her professional interests.

Rachael previously taught at two universities in Japan: Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS) and Akita International University (AIU), before moving to New Zealand to work at Te Herenga Waka in 2017.  She was a coordinator of the writing centre at KUIS and the coordinator of the Academic Achievement Centre at AIU.  These experiences fostered her interest in student support services and self-access support offerings, especially in the context of EFL or EMI programmes.  

In 2024, Rachael founded the ALANZ writing SIG, a group of researchers interested in writing processes and practices, teaching and learning of writing and analysis of written text.  The 1st writing SIG symposium was held in Wellington in August 2024.  This event also led to the publication of an edited book.   Through this SIG, Rachael has started building a writing community within the New Zealand context.