Professor Karen Burke Da Silva

Professor

College of Science and Engineering

place Information Science & Technology (350)
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

Professor Karen Burke da Silva is the Dean (Education) in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University. Karen won the 2016 Australian University Teacher of the Year Award. Areas of expertise include STEM Education, Ecology and Evolution, Citizen Science.

Member of the College of Science and Engineering STEM Academy.

Qualifications

Dean (Education) 2017-present

Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation (2019-present)

Associate Professor Biodiverity and Conservation (2014-2019)

Associate Head (Teaching and Learning) Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University (2012 - 2017)

Director of First Year School of Biological Sciences (2012- 2017)

Chair, Flinders University College of Distinguished Educators (2011-2014)

Flinders University Executive member of HERGA (2011-present)

Senior Lecturer (2011-2014)

Online Tutorial Designer, Pearson Higher Education Publishers, Australia (2011)

Associate Dean of School-Teaching and Learning (2010- 2012)

Education Consultant, Graw Hill Publishers, Australia (2009, 2013 and 2014)

Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University (2006-2011)

Honours, awards and grants

Australian University Teacher of the Year

AAUT Award for Teaching Excellence in Biological Sciences

Science Excellence Awards SA Early Career STEM Educator of the Year - Tertiary Teaching

Burke da Silva, K. The Phyllis Primrose Whyte Churchill Fellowship to investigate methods of teaching science at the undergraduate university level. $22,000 for one year.

Burke da Silva, K., Familari, M., Rayner, G. Blanksby, T. Australian Learning and Teaching Council. Strengthening alignment between secondary and tertiary biology education and enhancing student transitions in the sciences. $218,000 for two years.

Burke da Silva, Flinders Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Key responsibilities

Dean (Education) Key Responsibilities

Quality of Teaching and Learning for the College of Science and Engineering

Director of the STEM Academy

Director of Student Wellbeing

Topic coordinator
BIOL1101 Evolution of biological Diversity
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life
BIOL1112 Biology and Society
BIOD1102 Introduction to Biodiversity and Conservation
Supervisory interests
Animal behaviour
Ecology
Evolution
Higher education
Marine biology
Higher degree by research supervision
Current
Principal supervisor: Evolution (1)
Associate supervisor: Science Education (2), Medical Biotechnology (2)
Completion
Associate supervisor: Conservation biology and education (1)
Expert for media contact
Biology
Ecology
Education - Science
Marine science
Toxicology/Toxins
Zoology
clownfish
Available for contact via
Or contact the media team
+61 8 82012092
0427 398 713
Media expertise
  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Education - Science
  • Marine science
  • Toxicology/Toxins
  • Zoology
Interests
  • clownfish