Rate My Professor Rikki Quinn

Dr Rikki Quinn is a Lecturer (Teaching Scholar) and Coordinator of Diplomas at SCU College, Southern Cross University, a position she has held since 2022. She earned her Bachelor of Biological Sciences (BBioSci), Bachelor of Biological Sciences with Honours (BBioSci(Hon)), and PhD in Anatomy from the University of Newcastle. Her PhD research investigated the neurobiology of addiction, specifically the role of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript. Following her doctorate, she conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Newcastle on the neurodevelopment of sensory systems, including a publication on the expression and physiology of voltage-gated sodium channels in the developing human inner ear (2021). Quinn has over eight years of teaching experience focused on anatomy and physiology. Currently, she teaches mathematics and science units in the Preparing for Success Program (PSP) and Diploma of Health. Her innovative curriculum and pedagogy have motivated students in maths and science, leading to a nomination for the 2023 Southern Cross University Teaching Excellence Awards in the Inspiring Educators category. Her expertise encompasses substance abuse, biochemistry and molecular biology, and medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy.

Quinn's recent scholarly research focuses on the efficacy of university diplomas and pathway programs in enhancing academic success for non-traditional students, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Key outputs include co-authorship of 'Widening participation and enhancing academic success: The impact of university diplomas on non-traditional students’ academic lives' (2025, Studies in the Education of Adults, with J.E. Nieuwoudt, G. Andrews, S.C. Syme), the preprint 'Investigating the role of university diplomas in students' academic lives' (2024, with the same co-authors), and the conference presentation 'Authentic assessment design: Exploring the challenges and opportunities for first-year enabling students' at the SCU Scholarship of Learning and Teaching Symposium (2022).