Rachel Hay

As an Associate Professor of Marketing based in Townsville, Dr. Rachel Hay is dedicated to advancing regional resilience through inclusive, community-driven research and education. Her work bridges academic inquiry with practical impact, focusing on agricultural systems, biosecurity, and rights-based access frameworks. Dr. Hay collaborates across disciplines and sectors to foster leadership, ethical engagement, and sustainable development.

Dr. Hay brings a strategic and adaptive approach to research leadership, grounded in values of transparency, equity, and collaboration. She is recognized for her expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, particularly in behavior change and technology adoption among rural communities. Her research has informed parliamentary inquiries, shaped policy, and been widely cited by academics and industry.

Known for her strategic project leadership, Dr. Hay combines rigorous methodology with a collaborative and community-focused approach. She has led and contributed to numerous interdisciplinary projects, including water quality initiatives in the Great Barrier Reef, the TNQ Drought Hub, and the Digital Homestead Project. Dr. Hay is also a committed community advocate, volunteering with Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia to improve digital access in underserved areas.