Senior lecturer, University of Sydney, Australia
Dr. Ngoc Nhu Nguyen (Ruby) 🇻🇳 is a passionate educator, researcher, and artist with expertise in education innovation, AI integration, and multimodal pedagogy. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, leading academic development in AI literacy and higher education reform. Fluent in English (IELTS 8.5), Japanese (JLPT N2), and Vietnamese, Dr. Ruby blends linguistic, artistic, and scholarly talents to create inclusive, dynamic, and research-informed learning environments. She is also a published researcher, experienced curriculum designer, and committed community advocate in both higher education and mental health sectors.
Profile
Orcid
🎓 Education
Dr. Ruby earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Adelaide in 2023 🎓, focusing on integrating feature films and television into university teaching. She also holds a Diploma in Counselling (2023, Australia), an M.Sc. in Society and Culture (2017), and a B.Soc.Sc. in Culture, Society, and Media (2015) from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University 🇯🇵. Her academic journey showcases her dedication to educational innovation, film literacy, and social-emotional learning.
💼 Professional Experience
Dr. Ruby has held multifaceted academic roles, including Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney (2025–present) and Learning Designer at the University of Adelaide. Her work spans AI-integrated curriculum design, academic staff training, and international education partnerships. With a foundation in both tertiary teaching and high school consulting, she has developed resources, led workshops, and mentored students across Australia and beyond. She also works on mental health co-design and policy development with the SA Government, championing ethical AI and wellbeing in education and healthcare 🧠📘.
🔬 Research Interest
Dr. Ruby’s research bridges multimodal pedagogy, academic development, and AI in education 🤖🎥. She is especially known for her studies on using feature films and television series in university teaching. Her interests include teacher agency, curriculum innovation, ethical AI use in assessment, and the application of film literacy to foster deeper student engagement. Ruby’s work is empirical, interdisciplinary, and aimed at transforming traditional higher education paradigms into inclusive, dynamic learning ecosystems.
🏆 Awards and Honors
Dr. Ruby’s academic and creative excellence is reflected in her recognition as a leading educator and researcher 🏅. Her impactful contributions to curriculum design and AI literacy in higher education have positioned her at the forefront of pedagogical reform in Australia. She has also been acknowledged for her interdisciplinary initiatives that combine education, media, and the arts to promote wellbeing and student-centered learning.
📚 Publications
Nguyen (Ruby), N. N., & Barbieri, W. (2025). Cultivating Teacher Agency and Professional Autonomy in Higher Education through Feature Films and Television Series. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice. (Accepted)
Nguyen (Ruby), N. N., & Palmer, E. (2024). Assessing the effectiveness of feature film and television series in university teaching through evaluation quadrangulation and action learning. Higher Education Research & Development, 1–17.
Cited by: 5 articles
Nguyen (Ruby), N. N. (2023). Film in university teaching: optimising multimodal pedagogies through film literacy. Teaching in Higher Education, 29(8), 1934–1955.
Cited by: 18 articles
Nguyen (Ruby), N. N. (2023). How do university lecturers learn to teach with film? Formal and informal academic development. Educational Media International, 60(1), 14–30.
Cited by: 9 articles
Nguyen, N., Guerin, C., Barbieri, W., Palmer, E., & Pugsley, P. (2022). Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 19(3).
Cited by: 6 articles
Nguyen, N. N. (2024). The Balancing Act of Repurposing Feature Films and TV Series for University Teaching. Encyclopedia, 4(1), 497–511.
Cited by: 4 articles
🏁 Conclusion
Dr. NGOC NHU NGUYEN (Ruby) is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her research is not only academically rigorous but also socially relevant, interdisciplinary, and innovative. The integration of arts, technology, and education demonstrates forward-thinking pedagogy and real-world impact. With continued expansion in international collaboration and grant acquisition, she stands out as a role model in contemporary educational research.