Prof Karen Blackmore

Professor Karen Blackmore is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education Innovation) at the University of Newcastle, where she leads institution-wide education transformation, including strategic reform in teaching quality, assessment, student experience, and AI adoption. A former Dean of Computer and Information Sciences, Karen has held senior leadership roles spanning education, research, industry engagement, and university governance. She is Director of the Centre for Applied and Responsible AI, with an internationally recognised research profile in human-centred AI, immersive technologies, and simulation-based learning, spanning applications in education, health, defence, and industry. As a member of the Australian Computer Society’s Professional Ethics Committee and Standards Australia, she shapes national guidance on the use of emerging technologies.