Adrienne Burns

Adrienne Burns is Senior Lecturer in Biological and Environmental Science at UNE's School of Environmental and Rural Science. Her research spans aquatic ecology—particularly biofilm functions in river systems—and science education innovation. She holds a PhD in Zoology from Adelaide and M.Ed with First Class Honours.

Burns leads research on river catchment health across northern NSW and directs curriculum redesign for Environmental Science programs. Her educational work focuses on STEM transitions, having developed the award-winning Boosting Science Program for underrepresented students.

Key accomplishments include:

• Redesigning undergraduate/postgraduate Environmental Science degrees
• Establishing UNE's first Indigenous science unit
• Creating STEM retention programs improving online/on-campus engagement

Her 30+ publications demonstrate dual expertise in ecosystem monitoring and pedagogical research. Current projects examine dung beetle ecology and technology-enhanced learning frameworks.