Lisa Jacka

Dr. Lisa Jacka is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Queensland's School of Education, specializing in curriculum and pedagogy with a focus on educational technology and virtual worlds. With over 20 years of experience, her research emphasizes innovative uses of virtual environments in teaching, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and hybrid learning models. She has held academic positions since 2003, including roles at Southern Cross University and James Cook University before joining USQ in 2021 as Senior Lecturer and later Associate Professor in 2025.

Her qualifications include a PhD in Educational Technology from Southern Cross University (2015) and extensive teaching certifications. Jacka has been recognized with a Vice Chancellor's Citation (2015) for innovative online learning design.

Research interests span virtual worlds in education, emerging pedagogies, and teacher professional development. Notable works include books like Using Virtual Worlds in Educational Settings (2018) and articles on hybrid learning frameworks and AI in education (2023-2025). She actively supervises doctoral and master’s students exploring topics like VR learning ecosystems and teacher STEM mindset development.

Jacka collaborates with institutions globally, contributing to initiatives like the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE). Her work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in rural education, digital literacy programs, and future-ready teaching strategies.