Barbara's research explored the learning experiences of students with hydrocephalus, spina bifida, and an Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD) profile in mainstream Australian schools. Research was inspired by her daughter's – who was born with an Encephalocele, a neural tube defect estimated to occur in 2-3/10,000 live births – 12-year journey through school. Barbara currently works at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology as a Sessional Academic, Equity Project Officer, past tutor and unit coordinator. Her immediate goal is to raise awareness of NLD among educational, medical, and allied health practitioners to prevent serious emotional, developmental, and educational implications occurring if the NLD is not identified early and managed.
Experience
2007–present
Sessional academic, Queensland University of Technology
2007–present
Equity Project Officer, Queensland University of Technology
Education
2007
Queensland University of Technology, PhD
2002
Queensland University of Technology, MEd (Leadership and Management)
2001
Queensland University of Technology, BEd (Adult & Workplace)
1995
Australian Music Examinations Board, AMusA (Organ)
1993
Australian Yamaha Music Foundation, AYMF (Piano)
1991
Australian Yamaha Music Foundation, AYMF (Organ)
1989
Trinity College of London, ATCL (Tchr)
Publications
2016
Medical and Educational Perspectives on Nonverbal Learning Disability in Children and Young Adults, Hershey, PA: IGI Global
2013
Widening Participation in University Learning, Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice
2012
Educational markets in space: gamekeeping professionals across Australian communities, Journal of Education Policy, 1-32
2010
Nonverbal Learning Disability explained: the link to shunted hydrocephalus, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39, 209-215
2010
The QUTeach@Redcliffe program, Curriculum Leadership, 19 March 2010