Brendan Bentley

Dr Brendan Bentley

Senior Lecturer

School of Education

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Brendan Bentley is a lecturer in Education. He is the Director of Partnerships and Engagement, and the Program Director of the Master of Teaching program at the University of Adelaide. He is an experienced School Principal, curriculum leader and teacher of STEM education. Brendan has designed and written post graduate educational leadership courses at both national and international levels and is a consultant in professional formation and development for teachers and school leaders. His research interests are in educational leadership, cognitive load theory, STEM, science and mathematics education and in particular proportional reasoning.

Doctor Brendan Bentley's main research interests are within primary and secondary school learning.

One:  Mathematics, Science and STEM education

Two:  Cognitive Load Theory and the Science of Learning

Three: Civics and Citizenship education

Four: Online/Networked learning

Outputs include publications in high impact journals and book chapter titled Connecting Values and Religion with Civics and Citizenship; Teaching Excellence Awards; and Online Design Excellence Award. Other outputs include numerous consultancies and publications on STEM learning, Mathematics and Science Education and cognitive learning theory.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2106 - 2017 Stream Coordinator Master of Education Educational Leadership University of South Australia
    2017 - ongoing Lecturer and Director: Engagement, School Partnership & Marketing University of Adelaide
    2010 - 2017 Lecturer Science and Mathematics Education; Professional Experience Coordinator University of South Australia
    2002 - 2008 School Principal St Raphael's School
    1997 - 2001 School Deputy Principal St Joseph's Memorial School
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2013 - 2017 University of South Australia Australia PhD
    1994 - 1997 University of South Australia Australia Master of Education Science and Mathematics Education
    1989 - 1991 Australian Catholic University (Institute of Catholic Education) Australia Graduate Diploma of Mathematics Education
    1984 - 1986 Australian Catholic University (Institute of Catholic Education) Australia Diploma of Teaching
  • Research Interests

New Colombo Plan (NCP) (2016) Commonwealth funded Undergraduate Overseas Professional Experience Grant (China) $158 000

New Colombo Plan (NCP) (2021) Commonwealth funded Undergraduate Overseas Professional Experience Grant (Indonesia) $247 000

Divisional Research Performance Funds Grant (DRPF) (2014) University of South Australia funded pilot study of a small range (6-8) of public primary/secondary schools in South Australia $14 000

Commonwealth Department of Education Microcredential Tender, $3 300 000 creating microcredentials in the areas of Phonics, Classroom Management and Explicit Teaching.

Brendan leads the Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) in Education Research Group in the School of Education. Brendan publishes work in the area of CLT and is a member of the International Cognitive Load Theory Association.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor The effectiveness of virtual reality on cognitive load and schema acquisition of STEM students Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Jaclyn Crystal Steffan
    2023 Co-Supervisor Secondary Student Connectedness to Nature in Australian Schools: Assessing the Impact of Environmental Education Programs Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Gulsah Yildirim Kirbaci
    2023 Principal Supervisor Teacher professional development, cognitive load and the use of schema to improve leadership development. Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Glyn Roberts
    2023 Principal Supervisor Enhancing Classroom Management and Teacher Training: A Focus on Conscious Teaching for Improved Student Behaviour and Teacher Retention. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Saha Bajraktarevic
    2018 Co-Supervisor The Impact of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Organisation on Student Success and Study or Employment Pathways Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Allyson Kaye Dutschke
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Primary Teachers’ Knowledge of Inquiry-Based Learning and Learner Autonomy in Science Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nemwel Nyakenyanya Aming'a
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83136824
  • Email: brendan.bentley@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Nexus 10, floor 8
  • Org Unit: School of Education

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