David Birbeck

Research Interests

Curriculum and Pedagogy Curriculum and Pedagogy Theory and Development Higher Education Student Engagement Teacher and instructor development Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators Teaching and curriculum

APrf David Birbeck

Associate Dean: UniSA Online/Head: Curriculum Development and Support

UniSA Online

Teaching Enterprise

Associate Professor David Birbeck is Head of Curriculum Development and Support within the Teaching Innovation Unit at the University of South Australia (UniSA) and holds a fractional secondment as Associate Dean: UniSA Online, with responsibility for the UniStart pathways program. With over two decades of experience in academic development, curriculum innovation, and teacher education, David has made sustained contributions to advancing teaching excellence at both institutional and sector-wide levels.
David leads key initiatives that enhance academic capability in teaching and learning, including UniSA’s professional teaching programs and the coordination and development of academic teaching award applications. He also chairs the Grants and Awards Panel (GAP), supporting the recognition of teaching excellence. His leadership extends into university governance, where he actively shapes policy and strategic direction in teaching and learning, contributing to reforms that improve educational outcomes.
David is a longstanding participant in governance groups such as SAPAG and the Student Appeals Committee. He serves on the College of Reviewers for the Journal of Higher Education Research & Development (HERD) and is a member of the Council of Australasian University Leaders in Learning and Teaching (CAULLT). His research focuses on curriculum design, sustainability, with particular emphasis on equity and theorised practice. 

The development of student attributes through all forms of work integarted learning and through engagement in the community.,The development of children's body image and as an advocate for children's direct involvement in research. An aspect of what is often termed children's voice.

Date Position Institution name
2025 - 2025 Associate Dean: UniSA Online University of South Australia
2020 - 2021 Associate Director: Teaching Innovation Unit University of South Australia
2019 - 2025 Head Curriculum Development and Support University of South Australia

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2025 Award UniSA Teaching Citation University of South Australia Australia 7000
2024 Teaching Award Unstoppable Teaching Award University of South Australia Australia 5000
2023 Teaching Award Unstoppable Teaching Award University of South Australia Australia 5000

Date Institution name Country Title
2002 - 2007 University of South Australia Australia Doctor of Philosophy
1998 - 2001 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Education in Junior Primary/Primary (1st Class Honours)

Date Title Institution name Country
2023 Mental Health First Aid University of South Australia Australia

Year Citation
2025 Costabile, M., Birbeck, D., & Aitchison, C. (2025). Using simulations to meld didactic and constructivist teaching methods in complex second year STEM courses. International Journal of Science Education, 47(2), 173-190.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2025 Davey, S. K., Birbeck, D., Nallaya, S., Sallows, G., & Della Vedova, C. B. (2025). Utilising one-on-one interactive oral assessments as the major final assessment within a bioscience course. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 50(7), 1154-1171.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2024 Brown, A. E., Harmon, J., Birbeck, D., & Costabile, M. (2024). Interdisciplinary teaching squares enhance reflection and collegiality: A collaborative pedagogical approach. Nurse Education in Practice, 80(104121), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2024 Smith, E., Pardo, A., Mills, J., & Birbeck, D. (2024). Curriculum renewal to enhance the acquisition of professional skills and engagement with professional practice across engineering programs. Australasian Journal of Engineering Education, 29(2), 1-12.
DOI Scopus2
2024 Harmon, J., Brown, A., Birbeck, D., Crockett, J., Panadgoo, S., Nawas, A., . . . Costabile, M. (2024). Interdisciplinary reflection by higher education academics using teaching squares: A scoping review. Nurse Education Today, 142(106353), 106353-1-106353-10.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2
2024 Costabile, M., Panadgoo, S., & Birbeck, D. (2024). Effective online material development: A micro-model taxonomy for designing simulations to maximise tertiary students’ learning. Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, 7(2), 246-257.
DOI Scopus1
2023 Bremmell, K. E., Barnes, T. J., Hughes, B. P., Birbeck, D. J., Johnson, J., & Suppiah, V. (2023). Design and implementation of a program wide pharmaceutical compounding curriculum using the scaffold learning approach. CURRENTS IN PHARMACY TEACHING AND LEARNING, 15(2), 178-185.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2021 Birbeck, D., McKellar, L., & Kenyon, K. (2021). Moving beyond first year: an exploration of staff and student experience. Student Success, 12(1), 82-92.
DOI
2014 Pearce, K. L., Birbeck, D. J., & May, E. J. (2014). The use of animations and the 'teach-back' technique to facilitate an understanding of health literacy levels within the general community. Journal of the Education Research Group of Adelaide, 3(2), 39-45.
2014 McKellar, L., Charlick, S., Warland, J., & Birbeck, D. (2014). Access, boundaries and confidence: the ABC of facilitating continuity of care experience in midwifery education. Women and birth, 27(4), 61-66.
DOI Scopus21 WoS17 Europe PMC8
2011 Birbeck, D. J. (2011). Differentiating service learning in an Australian higher education context. Journal of the education research group of Adelaide, 2(3), 27-32.
2009 Drummond, M., Drummond, C., & Birbeck, D. J. (2009). Listening to children's voices in qualitative health research. Journal of student wellbeing, 3(1), 1-13.
2009 Birbeck, D. J. (2009). Benchmarking and peer review of teaching practice for the purpose of evidencing excellence in teaching and learning. Journal of the Education Research Group of Adelaide.
2007 Birbeck, D. J., & Drummond, M. J. N. (2007). Research with Young Children: Contemplating Methods and Ethics. Journal of Educational Enquiry.
2006 Birbeck, D. J., & Drummond, M. J. N. (2006). Very Young Children's Body Image: Bodies and Minds Under Construction. International education journal.
2006 Birbeck, D. J., & Drummond, M. J. N. (2006). Understanding boys bodies and masculinity in early childhood. International journal of men's health, 5(3), 238-250.
DOI
2005 Birbeck, D. J., & Drummond, M. J. N. (2005). Interviewing, and listening to the voices of, very young children on body image and perceptions of self. Early child development and care, 175(6), 579-596.
DOI
2003 Birbeck, D. J., & Drummond, M. J. N. (2003). Body image and the pre-pubescent child. Journal of educational enquiry.

Date Role Board name Institution name Country
2020 - 2022 Member Academic Board University of South Australia Australia

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2019 - 2025 Member Student and Academic Policy Advisory Group (SAPAG) University of South Australia Australia
2015 - 2025 Chair Grants and Awards Panel University of South Australia Australia

Date Role Membership Country
2021 - ongoing Member Higher Education Research & Development Society of Australasia -
2020 - ongoing Representative Council of Australasian University Leaders in Learning and Teaching -

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2025 - ongoing Member Journal of Higher Education Research & Development (HERD). University of South Australia Australia

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