Dr Deepshikha from the School of Engineering and Materials Science at Queen Mary University of London has been selected for the inaugural Google Higher Education Faculty AI Fellowship for EMEA.

The Fellowship, launched in 2026, was awarded following a highly competitive selection process. According to Google for Education, the inaugural cohort was selected from "some of the most forward-thinking minds in academia globally," with successful applicants chosen because they "don't just see the potential of AI, they see the responsibility that comes with it."

Dr Deepshikha’s selection recognises her leadership in responsible AI-enabled assessment and feedback, particularly through her work on EduMark AI, an educator-controlled platform designed to support rubric-based marking, personalised feedback and human-in-the-loop academic judgement. Her work aligns closely with Queen Mary’s strategic priorities around educational innovation, digital transformation and inclusive student success.

The Google Higher Education Faculty AI Fellowship is designed to move participants beyond functional use of AI tools towards strategic leadership. Through the programme, Fellows will refine an institutional "Impact Challenge" and explore how AI can be used not only to improve local practice but also to create scalable solutions for higher education globally.

Dr Deepshikha said:

“I am honoured to be selected as part of the inaugural Google Higher Education Faculty AI Fellowship for EMEA. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to international conversations on how AI can be used responsibly and meaningfully in higher education. My work focuses on ensuring that AI supports, rather than replaces, academic judgement, while improving feedback quality, assessment literacy and student confidence. I am particularly looking forward to working with colleagues across the EMEA region to explore scalable, ethical and student-centred approaches to AI in assessment and learning.”

The fellowship comes at a significant time for higher education, as universities move from experimental AI use towards more integrated approaches to governance, curriculum design, assessment and student support. With students increasingly using AI as part of their learning processes, institutions are being challenged to move beyond detection-based responses and towards models that support AI literacy, academic integrity and authentic learning.

Dr Deepshikha's selection further strengthens Queen Mary's growing national and international profile in AI-enhanced learning, teaching, and assessment.

The first cohort's work will be developed through a series of sessions across 2026, culminating in the in-person Institute at Google London.