Welcome to the Faculty: Fred Oswald

By Rachel Sampson
​January 15, 2025

The UC Irvine School of Education is pleased to welcome Professor Fred Oswald, a nationally recognized scholar whose work sits at the intersection of education, psychology, and the future of work. 

Trained in industrial-organizational psychology, Oswald studies how educational and workforce assessments—from classroom tests to hiring tools—are developed and evaluated to ensure they are accurate, fair, and meaningful for all individuals. A central focus of his work examines how artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping testing and decision-making, along with the scientific, legal, and ethical questions that come with it. 

Oswald joins UC Irvine while bringing an NSF-funded project that explores how human resources professionals are using AI in their daily work, how these tools influence organizational culture and teamwork, and where AI can be used well—or misused. His research will help inform future efforts to apply AI thoughtfully in educational settings, particularly around workforce readiness.

Fred Oswald

Drawn to UCI by the School of Education’s collaborative culture and interdisciplinary focus, Oswald shared that the position felt like a natural fit. “The School of Education at UCI has a strong track record of advancing interdisciplinary research focused on student development and success,” he said. “Once I began experiencing the collaborative and supportive culture here, I knew this was a place where my work could truly thrive.” 

Outside of his research, Oswald enjoys exploring Southern California hiking trails with his wife, Beth, tackling word games like Scrabble and crossword puzzles, and looks forward to getting to know the UCI community over a good cup of coffee. 

“Together We Zot!”