Dr Ann Thanaraj is internationally recognised for her leadership in Higher Education innovation and holds Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) and a National Teaching Fellowship (NTF), reflecting sustained excellence and sector-wide impact. 

Ann is Co-Chair of the University’s AI Strategic Group and Co-Lead of the Research Centre for Future-Facing Learning and AI in Higher Education. In these roles, she leads an evidence-informed strategic agenda to embed AI across the academic experience, and research. Her work focuses on ensuring AI is integrated responsibly, ethically, and with academic and pedagogical rigour, strengthening student outcomes while aligning with regulatory and professional standards. 

She is the architect of the university-wide “AI Resilient Learner” module for developing intellectual agency, cognitive fitness and practical wisdom in an AI-enabled world, for all 22,000 undergraduate students, and developed a pioneering postgraduate Professional Practice AI module. This flagship provision equips graduates with critical judgement and applied capability, integrating philosophy, legal accountability, governance, and sustainability to prepare professionals for an AI-driven world. 

Ann’s research in digital lawyering has been widely cited, including in UK parliamentary discourse such as House of Lords contributions, shaping debate on automated decision-making, digital justice, and interdisciplinary approaches to technology governance. 

Alongside holds Visiting Professor roles at the University of Cumbria, focusing on AI in Education and Legal Education, and at Queen Mary Academy, where she is Visiting Reader in AI in Higher Education.