Dr Karen Williams is a teaching-focused academic in Adelaide University Online and Learning Futures whose work is united by a commitment to improving the environments in which people learn, work and lead. Her teaching and research span online education, management and organisational studies, with particular interests in reflective practice, organisational culture and leadership, social inclusion, disability and neurodiversity.

Karen's educational scholarship examines how evidence generated through teaching practice can be used to improve online learning and inform educational decision-making. Her research on constructivist grounded theory and reflective practice explores how educators can move beyond reflection on individual experiences towards more systematic analysis and conceptual development. Her broader work in online education examines student engagement, educational design, assessment, artificial intelligence and the relationship between student learning and teaching resources.

Her management and organisational research examines the conditions that shape people's experiences of work, participation and belonging. This includes research on organisational culture and leadership, disability and social inclusion, sexual harassment and assault, neurodiversity, and emerging organisational challenges. Karen also works with government and community organisations on applied research, including organisational culture projects with councils across Australia, translating research evidence into practical organisational insight and improvement.

Across her teaching, research and engagement, Karen is particularly interested in scholarship that connects knowledge with practice and creates practical benefits for students, educators, organisations and communities.