• PhD., E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning, Lancaster University, 2019
• MA (candidate), Philosophy, American University in Cairo
• MA, Positive psychology, University of East London, 2023
• MA, Educational Leadership, American University in Cairo, 2016
• MA, Applied Linguistics, American University in Cairo, 2010
• BSc, Computer Science and Information System, Ain Shams University, 2002

Dr. Rasha Essam has previously served as a lecturer and technology-enhanced-learning director at the American University in Cairo (AUC) from 2011 to 2021. Teaching responsibilities included educational technology, teaching methods, educational leadership, Arabic as a foreign language, and research methods. In addition, Dr. Essam was responsible for building new online and blended learning programs for enabling both pre-service and in-service teachers to learn how to use technology effectively in different teaching modes such as face-to-face, online, and blended.

Dr. Rasha has also worked as an independent educational technology consultant for over 20 years in Egypt, the UK, and Ireland, where she helped different educational organizations design, develop, and implement educational technology programs. Research interests include:  design-based research, learning design, teacher development, foreign language teaching and learning, technology affordances, programme evaluation, online/blended/flipped classroom teaching and learning, computer supported collaborative learning, web 2.0 technologies, data visualisation and representation, educational psychology, and educational philosophy.

Recent Publications

• • Essam, R., & Passey, D. (2022). Identifying ‘best practices’ in education: Findings from a literature review. Lancaster University.
  • Essam, R. (2021). Exploring the needs of teachers in a Middle East university using TPACK: A case study. Studies in Technology Enhanced Learning, 1(2).
  • Essam, R. (2019). A professional development program for supporting teachers in the design, development, and implementation of Technology Enhanced Learning activities for teaching Arabic as a foreign language. Lancaster University.