ABOUT ME
Biography
Education is my vocation - a voice, calling from within me since I was young. In my mind, education forms a place where my personal passion intersects with the world's deep needs. Education is what I've been doing with my life that makes a personal difference and what will form part of my legacy - something that can be looked back on in later years to see the meaningful impact on the world.
I am Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education at UNSW. I am fo...
ABOUT ME
Biography
Education is my vocation - a voice, calling from within me since I was young. In my mind, education forms a place where my personal passion intersects with the world's deep needs. Education is what I've been doing with my life that makes a personal difference and what will form part of my legacy - something that can be looked back on in later years to see the meaningful impact on the world.
I am Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education at UNSW. I am former Honorary Professor of STEM & Digital Education at UQ (Brisbane). My significant and innovative contributions to the student experience have positively impacted millions of people around the world by meeting the challenges of scale, flexibility and personalized learning. I am probably best known for leading Australia’s earliest YouTube channel dedicated to learning mathematics, now in its fourteenth year of operation.
A teacher at heart, the quality and impact of my work on the student experience has been recognized at national and international levels, through fellowships and prestigious awards for educational excellence, including diversity and inclusion. As Associate Dean (Education), I was responsible for improving the quality, recognition and transparency of the student experience across ~600 courses, 30 programs and ~10,000 students within The Faculty of Science at UNSW. This includes leading TEQSA re-registrations and chairing program reviews. As VP (Education) at the Australian Maths Society, I lead a national portfolio that promotes the learning and teaching of STEM, including research training.
I am proud to collaborate with key partners within the education industry, ensuring continuous improvement and collaborative advantage therein. I promote innovation in education through public engagement and thought leadership at national and international levels as an expert and public figure.
Education
- PG Cert (Digital Education), The University of Edinburgh, 2018
- PhD in Mathematics, The University of Queensland, 2002
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons I), Double major in Mathematics, 1998.
Select Research Grants
- Tisdell, et al. Maths in Schools: Teaching and Learning Resources to Support Mathematics. An initiative of, and funded by, the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment. 9,500,000 AUD, 2020-2022, in collaboration with Adelaide University and Educational Services Australia
- Wong and Tisdell. Infusing engineering design process into science education in primary schools: Design-based research on students’ constructionist learning approach. Funding Source: Research Grants Council, Hong Kong. 624,000 HKD, 2019 – 2022. In collaboration with the Univ of Hong Kong.
- ARC Discovery Grant 2004-7, Dynamic Equations on Measure Chains
- ARC Linkage International 2005-6, Differential Inclusions
- Australian Academy of Science, Scientific Visits to Europe, 2005
- Australian Academy of Science, Scientific Visits to USA, 2004.
Current Student Projects (PhD, Masters and Honours)
- Exploring the theory of Navier-Stokes equations and their applications to fluid flow
Current Student Projects (Honours)
- Improving the ways we teach and learn mathematics
Advice for prospective students
UNSW is a inspiring and dynamic place to study. I welcome you to make contact with me and to discuss your plans.
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Fellow of the Royal Society, NSW FRSN 2018 - present
ITaLI Visiting Fellow UQ, Brisbane October 2018
Chartered Mathematics Teacher CMathTeach, UK Apr 2017 - present
Fellow of Scientia Education Academy UNSW, Sydney Dec 2016 - present
Fellow of HERDSA FHERDSA Jul 2016 - present
Fellow of Australian Maths Society FAustMS Aug 2016 - present
Staff Excellence Award (Diversity & Incl) UNSW, Sydney Dec 2015
OLT Teaching Excellence Award Aust. Govt. Dec 2014
Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award UNSW, Sydney Dec 2012
Cheung Kong Fellow Univ of Hong Kong 2006
Endeavour Award Aust. Govt. 2006
Ethel Raybould Fellow UQ, Brisbane 2006
John Yu Fellow Imperial College, UK 2005
Scientific Visits to USA/Europe Aust. Acad. Sci 2004/5
- Publications