DrAmara Atif

Designing Intelligent Learning Ecosystems through Human-Centred AI

My research program sits at the intersection of Learning Sciences, Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (AI), Learning Analytics, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Educational Innovation, with the overarching goal of designing intelligent, equitable, and evidence-informed learning ecosystems that enhance learner success, educator capability, and institutional decision-making.

Working collaboratively across education, computer science, and industry, I develop interdisciplinary solutions that bridge research and practice, translating evidence into scalable innovations that improve learning, teaching, assessment, and student success.

Research in the Media:

• The Policymaker

Building a responsive, anticipatory approach to AI governance in Australia [11 September 2026]

• Campus Review

AI is forcing higher education to answer a question it has avoided for decades [27 July 2026]

• The Conversation (Editor's Choice)

More than 50% of Australian university assignments used AI. How should unis respond? [14 July 2026]

• Times Higher Education (Campus)

GenAI has turned teachers into auditors [29 April 2026]

• AARE EduResearch Matters

From policy to practice: What does genAI use in classrooms actually look like? [28 May 2026]

• ABC News

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled remote learning and teaching using pedagogical conversational agents and learning analytics [20 September 2024]

• The WREN Newsletter

Enhancing educational experience through the integration of learning analytics and learning design [May 2024] 

• Faculti

In search of alignment between learning analytics and learning design [24 April 2024] 

Research Projects:

• 2026 UTS Social Impact Grant:

Recognise, Report, Respond: Building a Safer and More Inclusive UTS through an Anti-Racism Toolkit

• 2026 UTS CREDS Research Sprint Grant (Project 1):

Preparing the Digital Teacher: A Co-Designed Professional Development Framework for AI-Driven and Emotion-Sensitive Pedagogical Tools

• 2026 UTS CREDS Research Sprint Grant (Project 2):

Designing AI-Driven Machine Translation Tools for Academic Language in Multilingual Higher Education 

• 2025-2024 ACDICT L& T Grant:

Evaluating the integration of generative AI in ICT higher education: aligning university practices with TEQSA principles for effective and ethical assessment. 

• 2025 UTS CREDS Research Sprint Grant:

Understanding the Impact of AI Tutoring on Female Students’ Engagement and Learning Outcomes

• 2025 UTS FFYE (First and Further Year Experience) Grant:

Shaping tomorrow’s IT professionals: A scaffolded approach to GenAI integration and portfolios in first-year BIS courses

• 2017 Macquarie University Teaching Delivery Grant:

Validating the effectiveness of the Moodle Engagement Block (MEB-a Moodle plugin used for flagging disengaged students) and piloting a student alert system to optimise retention

Research Translation:

I believe impactful research extends beyond publications to influence educational practice, policy, and society. Recent research translation activities include:

• CSIRO ON Prime (Cohort 16 in 2024; Cohort 19 in 2026)

Selected to participate in Australia's flagship research translation and innovation program, where I worked within a multidisciplinary teams to validate research through customer discovery, stakeholder engagement, and innovation methodologies. Successfully completed the program in Cohort 16 (2024) and Cohort 19 (2026), with our teams receiving performance bonuses of $5,000 and $4,500, respectively, in recognition of outstanding program outcomes.

• Erasmus+ Mobility Grant (2024)

International collaboration exploring Industry 5.0 and Human-Centred AI.

HDR Supervision:

I supervise HDR candidates undertaking interdisciplinary research across Human-Centred AI, Learning Analytics, Learning Sciences, Human-Computer Interaction, and Educational Technology. My supervision philosophy emphasises collaboration, methodological rigour, interdisciplinary thinking, and research translation to produce work that has meaningful educational and societal impact.

I welcome enquiries from prospective Masters by Research and PhD candidates whose research interests align with my research program.

Research Themes:

• Human-Centred AI in Education

• Learning Analytics and Educational Data Mining
• Learning Sciences
• Educational Technology and Learning Design
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Educational Innovation