Karina Riggs

Dr Karina Riggs

Senior Lecturer

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology


In 2015 I became an Education Specialist and a member of the Adelaide Education Academy. My main research focus is in Education in particular; Flipped Classrooms and Blended Learning, Learning Analytics and Team Based Learning.

I am currently working on an initiative called Lunchtime Lab to help students build their confidence and proficiency in using laboratory equipment without time pressure and assessment. I am also investigating student perceptions of feedback across year levels and degree programs in the Sciences.

My scientific research background is in Molecular Microbiology in the field of Bioremediation. My PhD research was aimed at developing bacterial biosensors for detecting pollution (particularly carcinogens) in marine environments such as seawater.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2019 - ongoing Program Coordinator Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences University of Adelaide
    2011 - ongoing Lecturer Adelaide University
    2003 - 2010 Associate Lecturer Flinders University
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Teaching Award Excellence in Teaching - Team Award University of Adelaide Australia -
    2017 Teaching Award Beacon Commendation for the Enhancement and Innovation of Student Learning University of Adelaide Australia -
    2016 Teaching Award High Commendation - Stephen Cole the Elder Award For Excellence The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2015 Teaching Award Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning The University of Adelaide Australia 10,000
    2015 Teaching Award OLT Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning University of Adelaide Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2012 Flinders University Australia Doctor of Philosophy
    2003 Flinders University Australia Bachelor of Science Honours
    2002 Flinders Unviersity Australia Bachelor of Science
  • Certifications

    Date Title Institution name Country
    Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Deakin University, Melbourne -
  • Research Interests

Date Project/ No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2015 H2015-223

Dr Hayley McGrice, Dr Karina Riggs,  Dr Beth Loveys, Dr Dana Thomsen, Assoc Prof. Colin Kestell

AVS $4,200
2015   Dr Hayley McGrice, Dr Karina Riggs, Dr Beth Loveys, Mr Jason Chan AVS $2,500
2017   Dr Karina Riggs
Learning and Teaching Advancement Grant
$10,000

I teach into a number of undergraduate courses across second and third year in the School of Agriculture Food and Wine;

  • Microbiology and Biotechnology II (Course coordinator)
  • Microbiology and Invertebrate Biology II
  • Biotechnology in the Food and Wine Industries III (Course Coordinator)
  • Agricultural Genetics II (Local Course Coordinator- Waite campus)
  • Research Skills for Applied Biology II

My teaching philosophy is to inspire students to develop a passion for science by providing an environment which enables students to become independent learners increasing their knowledge, thinking and reasoning capacities, self and social awareness.  I seek to achieve this by caring for the students and having a genuine interest in their success, being prepared and well organised, constantly reflecting and assessing myself, implementing innovative and appropriate teaching methods, being aware of the impact that technology has on student learning and how it can be effectively used in the delivery of content. Learning is the acquisition of knowledge and experience and is a lifelong quest. Anyone can learn, it is not discriminatory, however the difference is that a person must want to learn and engage.

  • Other Supervision Activities

    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Professional Honours- Education University of Adelaide - Honours - Chi Shin Lee
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing Chair Program Management Committee- Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences Univeristy of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Learning and Teaching Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
    2012 - ongoing Co-Chair Innovative Teaching at Waite The University of Adelaide Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2019 - ongoing Co-Chair Learning Analytics Community of Practice Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member The Adelaide Education Academy Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Flipped Classroom Community of Practice Australia
  • Event Participation

    Date Event Name Event Type Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing ADEPT Mentor Workshop University of Adelaide -
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83130169
  • Email: karina.riggs@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Waite
  • Building: Charles Hawker, floor G
  • Org Unit: Agricultural Science

Connect With Me
External Profiles