I provide academic development support to staff and students, teach within the programmes offered by HEDC, and research in the field of higher education. Prior to this role, I was a professional practice fellow (eLearning) in a medical school, postdoc research fellow in a business school, assistant researcher in a policy research institute, and training specialist in an oil and gas company. I completed my doctoral research within three years at the University of Auckland and the thesis received Dean's List award. I gained a Master of Science degree from the University of Edinburgh, and a Bachelor of Management degree from a Chinese university.
Research interests
My research revolves around learning and teaching in higher education. My doctoral study investigated the adoption of learning technologies by academics. Since then, I have conducted research into approaches to academic development, employability development pedagogies, vicarious learning via videoed tutorials, student video production, and more recently non-institutional technologies and learning analytics. However, I don't think previous research experience should define my future research interests: I try to keep an open mind and learn a bit of everything when I can.
Methodologically I am a mixed-methods researcher by training. I use the most appropriate method(s) to answer the research question, be they qualitative, quantitative, or a combination of several. Epistemologically, I find a constructivist stance best explains the reality I perceive. I update my research projects regularly on ResearchGate.
Supervision
I am available for postgraduate supervision. I have benefited greatly, both personally and professionally, from my doctoral supervision experience. It's only fair that I provide the same experience, if not better, to my students. I view research a journey that extends our capabilities, reshapes how we think, and possibly allows us to create new knowledge. As a supervisor, I cannot control the journey, but I will be an honest and trustworthy travel companion. Please get in touch if you would like to have a chat about your research ideas.
Current PhD students
Anjin Hu - Technology mediated authentic assessment, 2022
Research Projects
2021 Medical Education Research Fund, Otago Medical School The influence of students' perceived learning autonomy support on approaches to learning (co-investigator, NZD 4,561) 2020 University Teaching Development Grant, University of Otago Analytics-informed design: Using learning management system recorded data to enhance course development (Principal Investigator, NZD 9,036) 2020 Medical Education Research Fund, Otago Medical School Capturing the invisible: An investigation of the use of non-institutional eLearning tools and resources by medical students (Principal Investigator, NZD 5,296) 2020 HERDSA NZ Grant Scheme, HERDSA-NZ Capturing the invisible: The use of non-institutional elearning tools and resources by undergraduate students in New Zealand universities (Principal Investigator, NZD 1,402) 2018 Ako Aotearoa Co-funded Project, Ako Aotearoa and University of Auckland Embedding Employability in the Curriculum: Strategies for the development of future-ready employability attributes within advanced and research informed programmes (Research Fellow, NZD 300,000)
Publications
Liu, Q., Gladman, T., Muir, J., Wang, C., & Grainger, R. (2023). Analytics-informed design: Exploring visualization of learning management systems recorded data for learning design. SAGE Open. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/21582440231193590
Journal - Research Article
Grainger, R., Liu, Q., & Gladman, T. (2023). Learning technology in health professions education: Realising an (un)imagined future. Medical Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/medu.15185
Journal - Research Article
Gladman, T., Liu, Q., Kenwright, D., & Grainger, R. (2023). Student perspectives on the facilitators and inhibitors of learning autonomy supportive teaching practices. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Festival. 39. Retrieved from https://www.anzahpe.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Liu, Q., Wald, N., Daskon, C., & Harland, T. (2023). Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for higher-order cognition: Perspectives of university teachers. Innovations in Education & Teaching International. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14703297.2023.2222715
Journal - Research Article
Liu, Q., Gladman, T., Grove, C., Eberhard, S., Geertshuis, S., Ali, A., Blyth, P., & Grainger, R. (2023). Capturing the invisible: Non-institutional technologies in undergraduate learning within three New Zealand universities. Internet & Higher Education, 58, 100910. doi: 10.1016/j.iheduc.2023.100910
Journal - Research Article
Geertshuis, S., & Liu, Q. (2022). The challenges we face: A professional identity analysis of learning technology implementation. Innovations in Education & Teaching International, 59(2), 205-215. doi: 10.1080/14703297.2020.1832904
Journal - Research Article
Geertshuis, S., Liu, Q., Lewis, N., & Cui, J. (2022). Stuck between a rock and a hard place: The challenge of preparing graduates for their futures. Innovations in Education & Teaching International. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14703297.2022.2152362
Journal - Research Article
Geertshuis, S., Wass, R., & Liu, Q. (2022). Equipping graduates with future-ready capabilities: An application of learning theories to higher education. Teaching in Higher Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/13562517.2022.2137399
Journal - Research Article
Liu, Q. (2022). Beyond technology use: A people-centred approach to reconceptualising the adoption of learning technologies. Advancing Scolarship and Research in Higher Education, 3(1), 1-23. Retrieved from https://asrhe.org/index.php/asrhe/article/view/6539
Journal - Research Article
Liu, Q., Geertshuis, S., Gladman, T., & Grainger, R. (2022). Student video production within health professions education: A scoping review. Medical Education Online, 27(1), 2040349. doi: 10.1080/10872981.2022.2040349
Journal - Research Article
Geertshuis, S., & Liu, Q. (2022). Work, study, sleep, repeat: The wellbeing of students who work while they study. In E. Heinrich, A. Jolley & L. Rowan (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. (pp. 33-34). HERDSA Aotearoa/New Zealand. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Gladman, T., Liu, Q., Kenwright, D., & Grainger, R. (2022). The influence of students' perceived learning autonomy support on approaches to learning. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Festival. 110. Retrieved from https://www.anzahpe.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Liu, Q., Geertshuis, S., Gladman, T., & Grainger, R. (2022). Can video production projects teach students anything: A scoping review of health professions education literature. In E. Heinrich, A. Jolley & L. Rowan (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. (pp. 49-50). HERDSA Aotearoa/New Zealand. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Liu, Q. (2022, June). Why do students use digital technologies that are beyond institutional offerings? Verbal presentation at the HERDSA Annual Conference, [Hybrid].
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Geertshuis, S., Liu, Q., Rix, N., Murdoch, O., & McConnell, M. (2021). Learning by watching others learn: The use of videoed tutorials in undergraduate business education. Higher Education Pedagogies, 6(1), 156-174. doi: 10.1080/23752696.2021.1916980
Journal - Research Article
Grainger, R., Liu, Q., & Geertshuis, S. (2021). Learning technologies: A medium for the transformation of medical education? Medical Education, 55(1), 23-29. doi: 10.1111/medu.14261
Journal - Research Article
Liu, Q., & Geertshuis, S. (2021). Professional identity and the adoption of learning management systems. Studies in Higher Education, 46(3), 624-637. doi: 10.1080/03075079.2019.1647413
Journal - Research Article
Wu, X., Zhang, L. J., & Liu, Q. (2021). Using assessment for learning: Multi-case studies of three Chinese University English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers engaging students in learning and assessment. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 725132. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.725132
Journal - Research Article
Gladman, T. B., Liu, Q., Kenwright, D., & Grainger, R. (2021). The influence of students' perceived learning autonomy on approaches to learning. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Conference. 119. Retrieved from https://eventstudio.eventsair.com/anzahpe-2021/anzahpe-abstract-book
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Anakin, M., Liu, Q., & Lee, C. (Eds.). (2021). Proceedings of the Otago Medical School (OMS) Health Professions Education Research Group Symposium [Online]. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Medical School, University of Otago. 11p. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/12534
Conference Contribution - Edited volume of conference proceedings
Liu, Q., Geertshuis, S., & Grainger, R. (2020). Understanding academics' adoption of learning technologies: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 151, 103857. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103857
Journal - Research Article
Anakin, M., & Liu, Q. (Eds.). (2020). Proceedings of the Otago Medical School Health Professions Education Research Group Symposium [Online]. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago Medical School, Dunedin Campus, University of Otago. 11p. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/10591
Conference Contribution - Edited volume of conference proceedings
Brown, G., Cooper-Thomas, H., Curtin, J., Dunham, A., Geertshuis, S., Kensington-Miller, B., … Liu, Q., … Wass, R. (2019). Teaching for transformation: The four E’s of teaching future-ready graduates. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Conference: Next Generation, Higher Education: Challenges, Changes and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.herdsa2019.auckland.ac.nz
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Geertshuis, S., Lewis, N., & Liu, Q. (2019). Teaching future-ready graduates: Implications for changing academic practices. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Conference: Next Generation, Higher Education: Challenges, Changes and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.herdsa2019.auckland.ac.nz
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Geertshuis, S., Murdoch, O., Rix, N., Liu, Q., & McConnell, M. (2019). The challenges, changes and opportunities offered by vicarious tutoring. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Conference: Next Generation, Higher Education: Challenges, Changes and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.herdsa2019.auckland.ac.nz
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Liu, Q., & Geertshuis, S. (2019). Why do academics respond to learning technologies differently? A professional identity analysis of learning management system adoption. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Conference: Next Generation, Higher Education: Challenges, Changes and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.herdsa2019.auckland.ac.nz
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Liu, Q., Geertshuis, S., & Hyeong, J. (2017). Making sense of the adoption of learning and teaching innovations in higher education: Implications from a systematic literature review. In E. Heinrich, C. Mariskind & I. Fuller (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. (pp. 62-63). Wellington, New Zealand: Research on Teaching and Learning Group, Massey University. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Liu, Q., & Geertshuis, S. (2016). Exploring and facilitating learning management system adoption. International Journal of E-Learning & Educational Technologies in the Digital Media, 2(3), 105-119. doi: 10.17781/P002210
Journal - Research Article
Geertshuis, S., & Liu, Q. (2016). e-learning ecosystem awareness and professional identity in e-learning technology adoption. In J. Novotna & A. Jancarik (Eds.), Proceedings of the 15th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2016). (pp. 230-238). Sonning Common, UK: Academic Conferences and Publishing International. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Geertshuis, S., Cameron, B., & Liu, Q. (2016). Shape shifting in higher education: Contrasting conceptions of academics, their development and the roles academic developers play. Business & Management Review, 8(2), (pp. 12-23). [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Liu, Q., & Geertshuis, S. (2016). Explorations in learning management system adoption. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on E-Learning and E-Technologies in Education (ICEEE). (pp. 1-13). Wilmington, DE: Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Liu, Q., & Geertshuis, S. (2016). Professional identity and teachers’ learning technology adoption: A review of adopter-related antecedents. Proceedings of the 33rd Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) Conference: Show Me The Learning. (pp. 365-374). Retrieved from http://2016conference.ascilite.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Geertshuis, S., Cameron, B., Liu, Q., Owens, T., Albashiry, N., & Lewis, N. (2016). The academic developers' quandary: Who am I and what do I do? Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand (TERNZ) Conference. Retrieved from http://herdsa.org.nz/ternz/2016
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Liu, Q. (2015, November). An exploratory study of technology adoption: A skill development perspective. Verbal presentation at the 4th Aotearoa New Zealand Organisational Psychology and Organisational Behaviour (NZOPOB) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
I provide academic development support to staff and students, teach within the programmes offered by HEDC, and research in the field of higher education. Prior to this role, I was a professional practice fellow (eLearning) in a medical school, postdoc research fellow in a business school, assistant researcher in a policy research institute, and training specialist in an oil and gas company. I completed my doctoral research within three years at the University of Auckland and the thesis received Dean's List award. I gained a Master of Science degree from the University of Edinburgh, and a Bachelor of Management degree from a Chinese university.