Associate Professor Rickie Fisher from Central Queensland University (CQU) has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to teacher education over the past two decades.

Since transitioning from school teaching to higher education in 2005, Associate Professor Fisher has become a national leader in innovative teacher preparation. At CQU, he has spearheaded the creation of Queensland's first fully online postgraduate initial teacher education program, dramatically expanding access for aspiring teachers in regional, rural, and remote communities. His forward-thinking approach blended digital pedagogy with practice-based learning, ensuring graduates were not only academically accomplished but workplace-ready from day one.

A strong advocate for equity, he has developed targeted support for preservice teachers in rural placements and championed workforce sustainability in hard-to-staff schools. Through his national roles, including as a National ITE Accreditation Panel Chair, TEQSA Expert Assessor and contributor to expert advisory groups, Associate Professor Fisher's leadership has influenced policy, accreditation, and quality assurance across Australia, ensuring excellence in teacher education beyond CQU.