Wendy Palmer, Director

Wendy Palmer is the Director of Lifelong Learning Practice and a recognised expert in microcredentials, digital credentials, skills recognition and lifelong learning.

She brings more than 30 years of experience across corporate learning, higher education, digital transformation and strategic innovation. Her work focuses on helping organisations design practical learning and recognition systems that connect education, work, community and lifelong learning.

From 2018 to 2024, Wendy led Deakin University’s Global Studio, where she worked on emerging education models, online learning and short-form credentials. During this time, Deakin partnered with FutureLearn to become the first university in the world to offer full degrees on an open online platform, attracting hundreds of thousands of learners globally. Wendy also led a university-wide project that created more than 35 stackable, credit-bearing microcredentials designed to provide standalone learning and pathways into degrees.

Through Lifelong Learning Practice, Wendy now works with education providers, government, industry bodies and international organisations to design strategies, frameworks, courses and recognition models that make learning more visible, portable and meaningful. Her recent work includes microcredential quality assurance and implementation guidance with the Commonwealth of Learning, national microcredential standards and stackability work in Mauritius, FutureLearn courses on skills literacy, and the Badge Sandpit, a hands-on space for exploring digital badges, wallets and recognition tools.

Wendy is an active international speaker and facilitator, presenting across Australia, Europe, North America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific on microcredentials, digital credentials, skills literacy, open recognition and the future of learning.