Rachel Zajac

Rachel Zajac is a New Zealand forensic psychologist and professor at the University of Otago in Dunedin.

Rachel Zajac
Alma materUniversity of Otago
Known forMemory and cross-examination of children
AwardsNational Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award (2016)
Scientific career
FieldsForensic psychology
InstitutionsUniversity of Otago
Thesis
  • The effect of cross-examination on the reliability and credibility of children's testimony (2002)

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
  1. "Psychology PhD Graduates 1968–2013" (PDF). University of Otago. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  2. "University appoints 17 as professors". Otago Daily Times Online News. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  3. "Promotions celebrate Otago academics' contributions". Otago Daily Times Online News. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  4. "30 new Professors for the University of Otago". University of Otago. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  5. "Recognition for Outstanding University of Otago teachers". University of Otago. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  6. "Dr Rachel Zajac wins National Teaching Award". University of Otago. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  7. "Dr Rachel Zajac". Ako AOTEAROA. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  8. "Professor Rachel Zajac". University of Otago. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
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