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Dr James Birt

Associate Dean - External Engagement

Level 2, Building 1a, Faculty of Society & Design, Bond University

Faculty of Society & Design

Centre for Comparative Construction Research

Accepting PhD Students

Professional biography

James is the Associate Dean of External Engagement for the Faculty of Society Design, and an Associate Professor of Creative Media studies at Bond, and his distinctive contribution to academia is evidenced in over 80 publications and multiple national media engagements, including The Conversation, ABC News, and The Project. His research spans computer science, applied design, the development of virtual, augmented, and extended reality (VR/AR/XR) technology, as well as the use of games-based experiences for assisting learning and knowledge discovery.

James is recognized as an international leader in educational technology, extended reality (XR), and games, which is reflected in his engagement with a variety of external organisations and academic bodies. James holds an editorial role with Springer Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D); a position on the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) working group for AR/VR technology; an assessor’s role for the International Serious Games Showcase and Challenge (SGSC); and an expert role on the 2022 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report.

He is committed to improving student learning and engagement and enhancing authentic experiential teaching through innovations in mixed reality technology and development. James’ continuous leadership and passion for the practical juxtaposition of art and science in multi-media education, has earned him two Universities Australia citations, in 2014 and 2020. His service to higher education and the community has formed around his 20-year experience and leadership in interdisciplinary teaching, mentorship, presentations, and research led approaches to the enhancement of XR and games education

Research interests

James is Associate Dean External Engagement and Associate Professor of Creative Media in the Faculty of Society and Design at Bond University, Australia, where he runs the Mixed Reality Research Lab (www.mixedrealityresearch.com). His research spans computer science and visual arts, with an emphasis on applied design and development of extended reality (XR) and games-based experiences for assisting learning and knowledge discovery. The distinctive contribution James brings to academia is evidenced in over 100 publications and multiple national media engagements including The Conversation, ABC News and The Project. James is recognised as an international leader in educational technology, XR and games with an editorial role with Springer Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D), a position on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) working group for AR/VR, an assessor’s role for the International Serious Games Showcase and Challenge (SGSC) and an expert role on the 2022 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report. In 2020, James received a Universities Australia 2019 citation for sustained leadership in the scholarship of mobile mixed reality innovations to enhance authentic experiential teaching and learning. This followed his citation in 2014 for improving student learning and engagement through practical juxtaposition of art and science in multi-media education. His service to higher education and the community has formed around his 20 year experience and leadership in interdisciplinary teaching, mentorship, presentations, and research led approaches to the enhancement of XR and games education.

Teaching awards

  • 2020 Australian Awards for University Teaching Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
  • 2017 Bond University Faculty of Society and Design Researcher of the Year
  • 2014 Australian Awards for University Teaching Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
  • 2013 Bond University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award

Qualifications

  • Software Engineering, PhD, Award Date: 30 Oct 2006
  • Information Technology, Honours (1st class), Award Date: 11 Apr 2003
  • Information Technology, Bachelors, Award Date: 14 Apr 2000

Fields of Research

  • Graphics, augmented reality and games

Statement for HDR students

I am looking for higher degree research (HDR) students that have a passion for XR technology and computer games including: virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), 3d printing, serious computer games, esports and bring your own (BYOD) mobile smartphone devices. I am looking for HDR students that can challenge themselves, and me, in their pursuit for higher degree learning. If you have an interest in projects related to games, XR or XR education please contact me and we can discuss potential project ideas.

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