Dr Kimberley Wilson is a Senior Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy for the School of Education and Tertiary Access. She is an experienced educator and researcher specialising in science and sustainability education, teacher development and inclusive education. She has worked across schools, universities, and not-for-profits to support diverse learners and build the capacity of educators, particularly those working in flexible or regional learning contexts. Her PhD focused on re-engaging disenfranchised youth through science education, and she has been involved in two major Australian Research Council Linkage projects exploring equity, engagement, and alternative schooling across Australia.
Kimberley’s current research interests centre on how learning environments can foster belonging, engagement, and capability, with a particular focus on place-based and alternative education, science and sustainability pedagogies, and ethical and purposeful integration of emerging technologies such as AI in education.
Professional Membership
- ASERA (Australasian Science Education Research Association)
- CWAA (Curriculum Writers Association Australia)
- AAFIE (Australian Association for Flexible and Inclusive Education)
- QCT (Queensland College of Teachers)
Awards and Fellowships
- FHEA (Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy) 2021
- Most Valuable Paper Award (Teaching Science Journal) 2010
-
Graduate Scholar Award (Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Conference) 2010
- Australian Postgraduate Award Industry (Australian Research Council) 2008
Professional Social Media
ORCID
Research Grants
|
Grant/project name |
Investigators |
Funding body and AUD$ value |
Year(s) |
Focus of research grant |
|
Gauging the value of Flexible Learning Options for disenfranchised youth and the Australian community |
S. McGinty, B. Lewthwaite, R. Welters, K. te Riele, V. Wallace, H. Babacan, K. Wilson (Postdoctoral Research Fellow).
Industry Partners: |
Australian Research Council (LP130100344), $309,000 |
2013-2016 |
This ARC Linkage project involved a national investigation into the role and effectiveness of Flexible Learning Options in supporting disenfranchised youth. It evaluated program models, measured educational and social outcomes, and identified policy mechanisms that enhance equitable participation for young people at the margins of mainstream schooling. |
Research areas
- science and sustainability education
- STEM education
- inclusive curriculum and pedagogy
- case study research
- qualitative methodologies
Teaching areas
- Science and Sustainability Education
- Place-Based Education
- Inclusive Education
- Teacher Development
Dr Kimberley Wilson's specialist areas of knowledge include science education, sustainability education, place-based education, alternative education, inclusive education, teacher education, artificial intelligence in education, qualitative research, case study, ethnography, phenomenology, thematic analysis.
In the news
As music festival season ramps up, artists can help shine a light on an ‘invisible’ workforce
5 DecAround Australia, music festival season is once again kicking into high gear.
Turn it up – carving out a career in the music industry
3 DecWhat started with a delivery from Nashville is blossoming into a grounded, multifaceted music career as Will Clift blends performance, production and study to build a future centred on creating music with people he cares about
Gender equity award for UniSC a key step to silver status
3 DecUniSC has earned a prestigious recognition for gender equity – following a series of improvements to bring clarity about the path to academic promotion.
Vote for UniSC’s koala vaccine researchers in the Shaping Australia Awards
5 DecQueensland’s koala Chlamydia vaccine is in the running for a major national innovation award – and the public can help by voting
The Irwins keep winning Dancing with the Stars, proving Australia's soft power is alive and well
2 DecRobert Irwin’s Dancing with the Stars win highlights how Australian cultural icons like the Irwins quietly strengthen Australia-US relations through soft power and genuine, relatable appeal
Robodogs take the lead in testing safer, smarter livestock herding
1 DecFrom a chance encounter into a collaborative, farmer-led project exploring how AI and robotics can safely support livestock work without replacing working dogs – the story behind how we can to train robodogs to herd sheep
Free business planning course for Queensland
28 NovUniSC will hold a free two-day Business Planning Course on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December, thanks to $70,000 funding from Queensland Government.
Project to encourage more young people to seek help for self-harm
27 NovA University of the Sunshine Coast researcher has received a prestigious grant of more than half a million dollars to find new ways of encouraging young people who self-harm to seek assistance
UniSC sets sights on a potential new treatment for diabetes-related eye damage
27 NovThe University of the Sunshine Coast has begun a new clinical trial set to delay the progression of eye damage caused by diabetes
Underwater recorders reveal surprising dolphin and whale activity at southern Great Barrier Reef
26 NovResearchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast have become the first to publish acoustic data that confirms the presence of the elusive dwarf minke whale in the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Social media ban looms for u16s: 5 expert opinions
25 NovRemoving a pernicious influence or cutting off connection? Five University of the Sunshine Coast experts comment on Australia's social media ban for under 16s, with the law set to come into force by 10 December
Your ATAR isn’t everything: what to do next
24 NovEven if your ATAR is lower than you hoped, there are multiple pathways into uni that can get you where you want to go
TEDx University of the Sunshine Coast event to showcase the Coast to the world
20 NovUniSC will host its first TEDx event, showcasing the Sunshine Coast's innovation and community to more than 43 million viewers worldwide.
UniSC celebrates the success of trailblazing alumni
19 NovA pioneering sports scientist and an eminent Indigenous leader are among the seven high achievers recognised at this year’s University of the Sunshine Coast’s alumni awards.
Startups showcased high-tech solutions following UniSC accelerator
13 NovAfter fast tracking their innovative ideas at the University of the Sunshine Coast, startup pioneers showcased their high-tech solutions to pressing global challenges
Trial finds relief for vascular disease sufferers
13 NovA University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) trial has found that a widely available footplate muscle stimulation device could significantly improve symptoms in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition affecting blood flow to the legs
Ten years after the Paris attacks: advancing PTSD treatment through reconsolidation therapy
12 NovTen years after the Paris attacks, Professor Alain Brunet’s reflects on how training clinicians on the ground in reconsolidation therapy has helped some of the survivors recover from trauma faster and more gently, offering new hope for people living with PTSD worldwide
2032 Games: A golden opportunity
7 NovUniSC experts are available to speak ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Why the four-day workweek is more than just a fad: boosting wellbeing, productivity, and the future of work
7 NovThe four-day work week has been slow to catch on but we are starting to get evidence of its benefits, showing that shorter hours can boost wellbeing, productivity and satisfaction –creating happier employees and smarter, more sustainable businesses
Program empowers First Nations Nursing students at UniSC
6 NovAunty Leone Smith, a Gamilaraay nurse with more than 50 years of experience, is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery students at UniSC through her Capture and Keep program, offering personal, cultural and academic support to help them succeed from enrolment to graduation
Fraser Coast graduate prepares for new teaching role
6 NovFraser Coast’s Stacey Taplin is ready to step into her next classroom as a school teacher outside of Emerald in central Queensland.
Could a cheetah win the Melbourne Cup?
5 NovThoroughbred racehorses dominate the Melbourne Cup not just in tradition and speed, but also in scientific comparisons with other fast land animals, proving their unmatched endurance and performance over 3,200 metres
More than half of young adults admit drink-driving the morning after
5 NovThe belief that “friends do it too” is a major factor in young adults drink-driving the morning after a night out, according to a study of almost 300 Queenslanders
‘Cutting-edge’ research hub decoding disease at a cellular level
4 NovThe Sunshine Coast is at the forefront of medical science, with the establishment of a new research hub spearheading advances in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, chronic disease and immune disorders
‘Wog’ humour, tense US politics and real-world monsters: what to watch in November
3 NovAs the year begins to wind down, and the days grow longer, our critics have a fresh slate of films and series to keep you glued to your screen
Road safety and visual experience: UniSC-led research attracts ARC funding
31 OctUniSC researchers have secured $1.7 million in ARC Discovery funding for projects tackling road safety, visual neuroscience, and climate justice
Australian marine environments face shock 2040 deadline
29 OctNew research has found that even Australia’s most protected marine habitats are likely to suffer extreme ocean impacts by 2040, increasing threats to thousands of plant and animal species
From surf to scrubs: Ronan’s call to caring
29 OctFrom surf lifesaving to nursing, UniSC student Ronan Nagle is turning his passion for helping others into a rewarding career that combines teamwork, care and community
Connection is key, says student success mentor and Brisbane Striker fullback
28 OctBundjalung man and UniSC graduate Josiah Green is using his own university journey to support and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the Buranga Centre, helping them feel comfortable, connected and confident to succeed
Research revealing the secret lives of bull sharks on the Sunshine Coast
28 OctWith Spring in full swing, it’s not just swimmers, surfers and fishermen making the most of the warm weather – bull sharks are also active and on the move, according to University of the Sunshine Coast researchers
UniSC shines in Good Universities Guide: top spots for engineering and overall experience
27 OctThe latest Good Universities Guide has once again crowned the University of the Sunshine Coast as having the best “overall education experience” of any public university in Queensland, It’s the fourth consecutive year UniSC has topped the state for student satisfaction.
Conservation scientist by day, pool shark by night: meet UniSC’s ‘pool professor’
24 OctHow UniSC’s Professor Andy Marshall finds focus and clarity in green, whether it’s the living forests he studies or the green felt he plays on
New panel series to reveal the science of trauma
24 OctAs science reshapes our understanding of trauma, a panel talk on the Sunshine Coast will bring together mental health experts to discuss new ways of alleviating the impacts
New funding for cancer, kidney disease and baby health research
24 OctA trio of University of the Sunshine Coast research teams will share in $450,000 grant funding to improve the health care of newborn babies, examine the recurrence of liver cancer and understand the causes of diabetic kidney disease.
Meet Spider-Man: the ecology student who has arachnid experts buzzing
24 OctSuperheroes go to great lengths to keep their identities a secret, they don aliases, costumes and disguises, meeting police and reporters in the dead of night on rooftops and in dark alleys - this ‘Spider-Man’ isn’t quite as mysterious
Ange Postecoglou’s sackings may say more about the Premier League’s attention span than him
23 OctAnge Postecoglou’s rapid dismissals from Tottenham and Nottingham Forest highlight the Premier League’s impatience with transformational coaching styles like his high-risk “Ange-ball,” raising questions about club owners’ commitment to long-term vision and systemic change
Peatlands and the crayfish that live there: experts available
22 OctThe history of peat and the secret lives of the crayfish that burrow into the mud.
Taking a leap with Evie into a profound career: midwifery
22 OctEvie has set her sights high – as a midwife in training and a high jumper competing on an international level
Optimising is just perfectionism in disguise. Here’s why that’s a problem
17 OctThe rise of the “optimisation mindset” in health and wellness may seem empowering, but it mirrors perfectionism—and could be quietly undermining our mental health
DIY tips: How to choose the best timber for outdoor projects this summer
16 OctLearn how to choose the best timber for decks, pergolas and other outdoor DIY projects this summer with expert tips on durability, strength and maintenance
It’s been 50 years since the Balibo 5 were killed in Timor-Leste. No one’s been held accountable
16 OctFifty years after the brutal killing of the Balibo Five and journalist Roger East during Indonesia’s invasion of Timor-Leste, justice remains elusive—no one has ever been held accountable
Holy s**t, something bad is about to happen! The art vs the science of scary cinema
16 OctOn the milestone anniversary of two classic Australian movies Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) and Wolf Creek (2005), UniSC cognitive neuroscientist Dr Will Harrison speaks to actor John Jarratt about the psychological tricks that movie creators use to scare the pants off audiences.
Your body can be a portable gym: how to ditch membership fees and expensive equipment
15 OctTurn your body into a portable gym with simple body-weight exercises that boost strength and fitness – without expensive equipment
World first: UniSC’s koala vaccine approved to fight deadly disease
10 OctIn a world first, Australia’s veterinary medicine regulator has approved a vaccine – developed by UniSC – to protect koalas from infection and death caused by chlamydia.
UniSC rises into top 600 in global university rankings
10 OctThe University of the Sunshine Coast has improved its position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, moving to the top 501-600 band.
Unitywater and UniSC sign $1.1m research agreement
10 OctThe University of the Sunshine Coast and Unitywater have signed a $1.1 million agreement to undertake research that delivers environmental outcomes across Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa
Why social connection matters to your health
9 OctThis World Mental Health Day, discover why social connection is vital for your health
Predict and prepare: new ways to prevent bushfire disaster
7 OctAs temperatures heat up, University of the Sunshine Coast researchers are working on new ways to prevent bushfire harm across Australia
Trial begins for inhaler to treat COPD conditions
7 OctThe University of the Sunshine Coast has begun trialling a three in one inhaler to target better lung and heart health outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Uniting knowledge and culture to protect K'gari's future
7 OctA University of the Sunshine Coast symposium will share insights and strengthen partnerships to help shape the future of K’gari, one of Australia’s most iconic World Heritage-listed landscapes.
How MBA led to ‘lightbulb moment’ for Moreton Bay consultant
7 OctBeing naturally introverted had been a hurdle in business, but Drew Dale refused to let it hold him back.
Mushroom murders, riotous mockumentary and a surveillance thriller: what to watch in October
7 OctThis month’s streaming lineup has plenty to offer, whether you’re chasing thrills, a nostalgic romcom, or some humour to keep you company as you settle in after a long day of work
What Saudi Arabia’s role in the Electronic Arts buyout tells us about image, power and ‘game-washing’
3 OctVideo game publisher Electronic Arts (EA), one of the biggest video game companies in the world, has been sold to a consortium of buyers, UniSC's Dr Jacqueline Burgess writes for The Conversation
From self-doubt to Chancellor’s Medal: Moana Krause’s journey of courage, culture and community
30 SepMoana, inspired by her uncle's words to "aim for better, not perfect," overcame early educational challenges to excel at UniSC, earning the prestigious Chancellor’s Medal.
A big, convulsive twitch while dozing off? Sleep experts explain the ‘hypnic jerk’
30 SepYou’re gently drifting off to sleep when suddenly your arms and legs convulse and you jolt yourself awake.
On the rise: 104 First Nations graduates in one year at UniSC
24 SepA record 104 First Nations students are graduating from UniSC this semester, bringing the total to 771 and highlighting the university’s growing success in empowering Indigenous students to thrive
Political witch hunts and blacklists: Donald Trump and the new era of McCarthyism
23 SepA modern-day political inquisition is unfolding as slain fair-right activist Charlie Kirk fuels a campaign to silence critics that echoes the darkest chapters of American history.
Leopard shark sex tape: a scientific first
22 SepA UniSC researcher has caught on camera and documented for the first time a rare – and rather risqué – shark mating sequence in the wild
Top public uni for postgrad: UniSC student experience among Australia’s best
22 SepStudents returning to study after graduating have rated the University of the Sunshine Coast the best public university in Australia for student experience.
National climate risk assessment – UniSC experts available
18 SepAs a comprehensive new Australian Government report shows that climate hazards like droughts, floods, fires and heatwaves will worsen “under all plausible futures”, University of the Sunshine Coast experts are on hand to discuss
How a buggy crash on his island home drove Tim Ives towards a career in paramedicine
16 SepAfter a dramatic buggy rescue on remote Scotland Island, Tim Ives was inspired to study Paramedicine at UniSC and is now saving lives as an NSW Ambulance paramedic
Nundi the turtle’s second chance at life is helping UniSC researchers save her species
12 SepTo the cheers of rescuers, Nundi the green sea turtle dives into the ocean after months of rehabilitation – carrying with her vital clues in understanding a dramatic increase in sick, injured and diseased marine turtles.
Helping Māori and Pasifika teens see they belong in university
10 SepAn inaugural UniSC Māori and Pasifika mentorship program is helping Moreton Bay high school students connect with mentors, take part in hands-on workshops and campus experiences, and discover pathways to university — all while celebrating their culture and building their confidence.
UniSC at epicentre of brain, lifestyle and nursing science
8 SepAs Australia’s ageing population grows, UniSC researchers and students are driving solutions to help Australians live longer, healthier, and more connected lives
Education, not incarceration: How Nicole’s lived experience is shaping her future in law
4 SepFrom addiction and prison to law school and international advocacy, Nicole Chee wants to use her lived experience to advocate for justice reform and prove that education, not incarceration, changes lives
Sweet! New test finds seven potential Aussie ‘health honeys’
3 SepUniSC researchers have developed a rapid, affordable test that can help identify the next premium Australian honeys
Nanine Stewart's journey back to high school is a full circle
3 SepIn a full circle moment, Nanine Stewart has found herself teaching at the high school she went to – and she's loving every minute of it!
Fuelling dreams: Moreton Bay City backs UniSC students with $1.1 million towards their futures
2 SepCity of Moreton Bay will continue its Scholarship and Bursaries Program with the University of the Sunshine Coast, taking its investment in supporting UniSC’s Moreton Bay students to $1.1 million since the program was introduced six years ago
When life unexpectedly changed course, Bonnie found her true calling
2 SepBonnie McLean has just graduated with a UniSC Communication Degree when a cancer diagnosis derailed her life – and ultimately became the catalyst for a new career path
Calissa’s romantic affair with creative writing
9 SepUniSC student and emerging author Calissa Baylow is turning her passion for romance and fantasy into a career through creative writing, publishing studies, and building her own online book community
Uniting knowledge and culture to protect K’gari’s future
27 AugA UniSC symposium will share insights and strengthen partnerships to help shape the future of K’gari, one of Australia’s most iconic World Heritage-listed landscapes.
UniSC Law alum Shelly Brown named Queensland’s top graduate lawyer
27 AugQueensland Law Society has honoured UniSC Law alum Shelly Brown as Graduate Lawyer of the Year, highlighting her legal achievements and published research on coercive control reforms in Australia
Scale-up dream: $1 million ‘Ultimate HQ’ prize for visionary business
26 AugA bold new initiative is offering one innovative business the chance to secure their very own Ultimate HQ, rent free for five years, in booming South East Queensland
Beyond technology: why people hold the key to productivity
26 AugWhile technology drives innovation, true productivity gains depend on people says UniSC's Professor Mark Loon
UniSC welcomes national code, prepares gender-based violence prevention taskforce
26 AugUniSC today welcomes the introduction of a new national code to further empower safety across Australian campus communities
Queensland cancer research: UniSC’s collaborative approach to a growing health crisis
25 AugBy the time they reach age 85, one in every two people in Queensland will be diagnosed with some form of cancer, and that’s why UniSC has formed a Cancer Researcher Cluster to bring together leading researchers dedicated to advancing our understanding of cancer
Walking to her own beat – how Taylah J is carving out a name for herself in hip hop
10 SepUp-and-coming rapper Taylah J is pouring her personal struggles into music, becoming the first in her family to attend university in the process as she builds her career in hip hop
Eating disorder symptoms in teens can be traced back to family hardship, new study shows
27 AugChildren from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are at greater risk of developing eating disorder symptoms, challenging the myth that these conditions only affect the affluent
From saving lives to shaping them: Matt’s Paramedicine journey comes full circle
25 AugMatt Hill always knew he wanted to help people.
New funding for UniSC to deliver 550 aged care specialist nurses
22 AugThe University of the Sunshine Coast has received $2.2 million from the Australian Government to deliver 550 more specialist aged care nurses to rural and regional areas by 2027.
UniSC advances commitment to responsible and ethical use of GenAI
21 AugUniSC is building a culture of integrity in the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence across its campuses, reaffirming its commitment to fair access to education, innovation and student success.
‘Super snail’ modifies slime to fight pesticide: new research
20 AugA secret ingredient in snail trails is helping the pests save themselves from poisons spread to protect farms and gardens across Australia
Leading by example: UniSC graduate brings Indigenous voice to classroom
19 AugNew UniSC Primary Education graduate and proud Yuggera man Michael O’Shea is challenging stereotypes in the classroom
Attention! Road safety trial to measure brain activity in older drivers
18 AugUniSC researchers are seeking older drivers for a new trial measuring age-related changes in attention, as part of a broader program to develop a screening method for assessing cognitive fitness to drive
Adam Hindmarsh gives up the recipe for Nana's Pie creative success
12 AugFrom jamming in a van by the beach to playing packed-out shows with Nana’s Pie, Adam Hindmarsh has built a creative career fuelled by passion, persistence and good people
Australian birds in surprising sex switching discovery
13 AugA University of the Sunshine Coast-led study has uncovered evidence that sex reversal is more common in wild birds than previously thought – with potential implications for threatened species
Cancer research success boosts graduate’s medical career – at just 22
12 AugA young aspiring doctor is already on the cutting edge of cancer research after a national journal published her findings on Australia’s “hidden” skin cancer epidemic
Your lifestyle could be affecting your brain’s ‘brake system’ and putting you at a higher risk of dementia
8 AugResearchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Thompson Institute believe lifestyle risk factors may be leaving chemical warning signs of decline in your brain – long before any symptoms of dementia play out.
Will the RBA drop cash rate on 12 Aug? UniSC experts available
7 AugWith some banks already cutting interest rates in anticipation of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 12 August meeting, four experts from the University of the Sunshine Coast are available to offer insights
Shark tales, a sinking city and a breathless cop thriller: what to watch in August
6 AugThis month’s streaming highlights bring a little bit of everything, from gripping true crime, to thought-provoking political drama, and a nostalgic music documentary on the life and times of piano man Billy Joel
Sheep herding ‘robodogs’ to take centre stage at Ekka
6 AugWe're using robodogs as part of a demonstration to herd sheep at the Ekka as part of a Mechatronics student's project to test AI-powered farming tech, exploring how autonomous machines could one day help farmers in the paddock
Tyranny is an ever-present threat to civilisations. Here’s how Classical Greece and China dealt with it
8 AugJust months into Donald Trump’s second term as US president, his rule has been compared to tyranny.
Design your future with a business degree from UniSC
1 AugIn today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business world – shaped by rapid technological advancements, shifting global markets, evolving consumer expectations, and emerging challenges like sustainability and digital disruption – adaptability is more valuable than ever.
Saving legs and lives: Trial of new treatment for artery disease
29 JulA UniSC trial is offering a new path to post-surgery recovery from peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that affects more than a million Australians
Ballerina and weightlifter raise the bar in physiotherapy degree
24 JulA former professional ballerina and a competitive weightlifter are among the first students in UniSC’s new physiotherapy degree, using their sports backgrounds to help meet growing demand for health professionals in regional areas
The incredible impact of Ozzy Osbourne, from Black Sabbath to Ozzfest to 30 years of retirement tours
23 JulOzzy Osbourne helped shape the sound and spectacle of heavy metal, from his groundbreaking work with Black Sabbath to launching Ozzfest and staying on the road for decades.
Crime and criminology isn’t what it used to be – and neither is policing
8 AugThe world has become more technology driven – the world of crime has evolved too, now encompassing complex issues such as deepfakes, and AI-driven abuse.
Expert comment: Climate change debate to continue after landmark court case
17 JulDr Shannon Brincat comments on this week's Federal Court of Australia ruling on a case brought by two Torres Strait Islanders who filed a lawsuit against the Australian Government for failing to protect the Torres Strait from climate change.
Explore your teaching path: early childhood and primary education degrees at UniSC
16 JulChoosing a career in education means choosing to make a lasting difference – whether you're drawn to the creativity of early learning, or you feel called to guide young minds through their primary school years, UniSC’s education degrees give you the flexibility to align your studies with your passions.