معرفی
Dr Barbara Bannister is a Lecturer in STEM including Agriculture at the School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education, University of New England (UNE). She brings over 30 years of experience in secondary education, leadership, and university teaching, with a strong emphasis on rural, regional, and remote STEM education.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Rural Science (Education), Master of Education, Certificate in Gifted Education (COGE), and a Doctor of Education (EdD). These qualifications underpin her expertise in curriculum design, educational technology, and inclusive pedagogy.
Barbara's research centers on rural and remote education, technology integration, agricultural education, and inclusive practices for gifted students. She has pioneered pedagogical models for virtual selective high schools, promoting equitable access to advanced curricula. Her work bridges theory and practice, influencing policy through roles such as member of the NESA Technical Advisory Group for Science Years 7-10 syllabus.
Her recent publications highlight a consistent focus on virtual learning environments for gifted rural students, the creative use of digital tools, and systemic approaches to retaining high-ability learners in regional areas. These works reflect interdisciplinary engagement across educational technology, equity, and curriculum innovation.
- NSW Premier’s Scholarship for Excellence in Teaching
- Early Career Researcher Scholarship (Charles Sturt University)
- Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (2023)
Barbara has supervised multiple Master’s students in research related to agricultural education access, digital literacy in public libraries, gifted student identification, and collaborative assessment methods. She has also led professional development for international school leaders on educational change management. While no specific grants are listed, her scholarship and leadership roles indicate sustained engagement with funded and policy-influencing initiatives.
She contributes to key professional bodies including the NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers, Science Teachers Association, and serves as a NESA Accredited Teacher and member of the NESA TAG for Science 7-10 syllabus. Her work with Australia’s first virtual academically selective high school underscores her leadership in digital education transformation.
