Biography:Rachel Zajac
Rachel Zajac | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | University of Otago |
| Known for | Memory and cross-examination of children |
| Awards | National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award (2016) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Forensic psychology |
| Institutions | University of Otago |
| Thesis |
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Rachel Zajac is a New Zealand forensic psychologist and professor at the University of Otago in Dunedin.
Academic career
Zajac graduated from the University of Otago in 2002 with a PhD titled "The effect of cross-examination on the reliability and credibility of children's testimony".[1] She joined the Department of Psychology as a lecturer the following year and was appointed associate professor in 2016.[2] In December 2019 she was promoted to full professor with effect from 1 February 2020.[3][4]
In March 2015, when a senior lecturer, Zajac won a Teaching Excellence Award presented by the University of Otago,[5] and in August 2016 she won a National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award valued at NZ$20,000.[6][7]
Zajac has worked as an expert witness and also trained police, judges, lawyers and forensic scientists in the psychological aspects of criminal investigations. Her research focus is on the evidence given by eyewitnesses, how memory is influenced by social conditions and the interpretation of evidence as it is affected by psychological issues.[8]
Select publications
Book chapters
- Rachel Zajac. "Investigative interviewing in the courtroom: Child witnesses under cross-examination" in Bull, Ray; Valentine, Tim; Williamson, Tom, eds. (2009), Handbook of psychology of investigative interviewing: Current developments and future directions, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN 978-0-470-51267-8 doi: 10.1002/9780470747599.ch10
- Rachel Zajac, "Child sexual abuse complainants under cross-examination: The ball is in our court" in Smaal, Yorick; Kaladelfos, Amanda; Finnane, Mike, eds. (2016), The sexual abuse of children: Recognition and redress, Monash University Publishing, ISBN 978-1-925377-38-5
Journal articles
References
- ↑ "Psychology PhD Graduates 1968–2013". https://www.otago.ac.nz/psychology/otago068378.pdf.
- ↑ "University appoints 17 as professors" (in en). 2016-12-17. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/campus/university-of-otago/university-appoints-17-professors.
- ↑ "Promotions celebrate Otago academics' contributions" (in en). 2019-12-13. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/campus/university-of-otago/promotions-celebrate-otago-academics%E2%80%99-contributions.
- ↑ "30 new Professors for the University of Otago" (in en-nz). 2019-12-10. https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago729509.html.
- ↑ "Recognition for Outstanding University of Otago teachers" (in en-nz). 2015-03-03. https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago087935.html.
- ↑ "Dr Rachel Zajac wins National Teaching Award" (in en-nz). 2016-08-18. https://www.otago.ac.nz/psychology/news/otago619521.html.
- ↑ "Dr Rachel Zajac" (in en-US). https://ako.ac.nz/our-community/tertiary-teaching-excellence-awards/2016-tertiary-teaching-excellence-awardees/dr-rachel-zajac/.
- ↑ "Professor Rachel Zajac" (in en-nz). https://www.otago.ac.nz/psychology/staff/rachelzajac.html.
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