Casey Mainsbridge | Education | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Casey Mainsbridge | Education | Best Researcher Award

University of New England | Australia

Author Profile

Scopus

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Casey Mainsbridge embarked on his academic journey at the University of Tasmania, where he earned a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies in 1999. His passion for education led him to pursue a Bachelor of Education (In-Service with Honours), which he completed in 2005. Demonstrating a commitment to advancing his expertise, Dr. Mainsbridge achieved his PhD in December 2016, focusing on the effects of workplace interventions on the health of desk-based employees. This strong foundation in both human movement and education has been pivotal in shaping his multifaceted career.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Mainsbridge's professional career is marked by his extensive roles in academia and sports coaching. Since 2022, he has been serving as a Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education at the University of New England. Prior to this, he dedicated over 17 years to the University of Tasmania, where he played a key role in delivering and coordinating various education programs. Beyond academia, Dr. Mainsbridge has made significant contributions to the sports community as a Fitness and Strength Conditioning Trainer for the Launceston Football Club and as an Accredited Triathlon Australia Coach. His leadership extended to managing the Ross Marathons and serving as President of Triathlon Tasmania, showcasing his ability to blend education with practical sports management.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Mainsbridge has a prolific research portfolio, with numerous publications spanning topics from workplace health interventions to health literacy in education. His work explores the intersection of physical activity, health education, and behavioral science, aiming to improve both individual health outcomes and educational practices. He has successfully secured over $735,000 in grants, supporting projects that range from promoting health literacy in primary schools to developing e-health solutions. Additionally, Dr. Mainsbridge actively supervises PhD candidates, guiding research on topics such as wearable devices in adolescent athletes and the impact of online practicals in education.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Mainsbridge’s dedication and excellence have been recognized through numerous awards. He received the Faculty of Education Research Merit Certificate for Outstanding Contribution to Research multiple times between 2014 and 2016. In 2016, he was honored with the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) Certificate of Excellence in Educational Leadership and the Tasmanian University Union Societies Council Staff Award for exceptional service. His consistent recognition for teaching excellence includes multiple Teaching Merit Certificates from the University of Tasmania, reflecting his unwavering commitment to education and student success.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Mainsbridge has significantly impacted both the academic and athletic communities. As the Director of Student Engagement at the University of New England, he has spearheaded initiatives to enhance student participation and retention, ensuring a supportive and engaging learning environment. His involvement in various committees, such as the Tasmanian Active Living Coalition and Sport Integrity Australia, underscores his influence in shaping health and physical education policies. Through his extensive teaching, he has mentored countless students, fostering their academic and professional growth while promoting health and physical activity as integral components of education.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Mainsbridge is poised to continue his influential work in both education and health promotion. His ongoing research projects, supported by substantial grants, aim to further explore the benefits of physical activity interventions and health literacy programs. As he takes on new roles such as the Impact and Engagement Coordinator, he will continue to develop strategies that enhance teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. Dr. Mainsbridge’s legacy is one of dedication to improving public health through education, inspiring future educators and health professionals to adopt innovative practices that promote well-being and active lifestyles.

 

Publications

  • 📝 Article: "Is there education in physical education? A narrative systematic review of research in physical education and learning"
    Authors: Mainsbridge, C.P., Iannucci, C., Pill, S., Williams, J.
    Journal: Sport in Society
    Year: 2024
  • 📝 Article: "Becoming and being a masters athlete: Class, gender, place and the embodied formation of (anti)-ageing moral identities"
    Authors: Hookway, N., Palmer, C., Dwyer, Z., Mainsbridge, C.
    Journal: International Review for the Sociology of Sport
    Year: 2024
  • 📝 Article: "Primary school Physical Education (PE) specialist teachers’ experiences of teaching Health Education and Physical Education"
    Authors: Cruickshank, V., Pill, S., Williams, J., Mainsbridge, C., Nash, R.
    Journal: Curriculum Perspectives
    Year: 2024
  • 📝 Article: "Supporting engagement and retention of online and blended-learning students: A qualitative study from an Australian University"
    Authors: Fan, S., Trimble, A., Kember, D., Masters, J., Mainsbridge, C.
    Journal: Australian Educational Researcher
    Year: 2024
  • 📝 Article: "Breaking the Habit? Identifying Discrete Dimensions of Sitting Automaticity and Their Responsiveness to a Sitting-Reduction Intervention"
    Authors: Gardner, B., Mainsbridge, C.P., Rebar, A.L., O’Brien, J., Pedersen, S.J.
    Journal: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
    Year: 2024
  • 📝 Article: "Influence of short bouts of stair climbing on young adults during prolonged sitting on posture, discomfort, and musculoskeletal performance outcomes: a counterbalanced pilot randomised crossover trial"
    Authors: Raj, A.K., Pedersen, S.J., Mainsbridge, C., Roy, S., Chandrasekaran, B.
    Journal: Ergonomics
    Year: 2024

 

Nizar Bitar | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Nizar Bitar | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College | Israel

Author Profile

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Mr. Nizar Bitar embarked on his academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences and Information Systems from The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College (1998-2001). He furthered his education by obtaining a Teaching Certificate from The Academic Arab College for Education in Israel (2004-2006). In 2011, he earned his M.Ed. from Oranim College of Education. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at Ariel University, a testament to his ongoing commitment to academic growth.

Professional Endeavors 🏢

Mr. Bitar's professional career is marked by a steady rise through various academic ranks. He began as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Information Systems at The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College (2003-2016). He then advanced to the role of Lecturer, contributing significantly to both the Information Systems and Economics and Management departments (2012-present). His administrative roles have been equally impressive, including positions such as Head of Digital Pedagogy and Head of the Social Department in the Dean of Students' Office.

Contributions and Research Focus 📚

Mr. Bitar's research and professional activities focus on the integration of technology in education, particularly through Artificial Intelligence and Learning Management Systems. He has been instrumental in numerous committees aimed at improving teaching quality and advancing digital pedagogy. His involvement extends beyond his institution, contributing to national efforts such as the Israeli Consortium of Faculty Development Centers and MEITAL, where he has been a peer reviewer and committee member for several national conferences.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Mr. Bitar's dedication to his field has earned him significant recognition. In 2019, he received the Best Action Research Paper award from the Academy of Management, Organization Development, and Change Division in Boston. Recently, in 2024, he was awarded a scholarship from The Albiader Foundation based on socioeconomic and professional factors, further highlighting his contributions and potential in the academic community.

Impact and Influence 🌟

Throughout his career, Mr. Bitar has had a profound impact on the integration of digital tools in education. His work has influenced the development of digital pedagogy, fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment. As a member of various national steering committees, his insights have helped shape the future of technology-enhanced learning in higher education across Israel.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌍

Mr. Bitar's legacy is characterized by his commitment to advancing educational methodologies and his dedication to fostering student success. As he continues his Ph.D. studies and professional endeavors, his future contributions are poised to further enhance the academic landscape, particularly in the realm of digital learning and pedagogical innovation. His ongoing work promises to leave a lasting impact on the academic community and beyond.

 

Publications 📄

Transforming Pedagogy: The Digital Revolution in Higher Education

📚 Journal: Education Sciences
📅 Year: 2024
✍️ Authors: Nizar Bitar; Nitza Davidovitch

 

Navigating New Norms: Lecturers’ Insights on Digital Learning Integration in Higher Education—A Case of Israel

📚 Journal: Education Sciences
📅 Year: 2024
✍️ Authors: Nizar Bitar; Nitza Davidovitch

 

Self-in-Field Action Research in Natural Spaces of Encounter: Inclusion, Learning, and Organizational Change

📚 Journal: International Review of Qualitative Research
📅 Year: 2020
✍️ Authors: Victor J. Friedman; Javier Simonovich; Nizar Bitar; Israel Sykes; Oriana Abboud-Armali; Daniella Arieli; Lubna Tannous-Haddad; Jay Rothman; Ilan Shdema; Mor Dar et al.

 

When Diversity and Conflict Meet: Self-in-Field Action Research for Inclusive Organizations

📚 Journal: Academy of Management Proceedings
📅 Year: 2019
✍️ Authors: Victor Friedman; Javier Simonovich; Nizar Bitar; Israel Sykes

 

 

 

Fekede Sileshi | Social Sciences | Editorial Board Member

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Mr. Fekede Sileshi | Social Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Jimma University | Ethiopia

Author Profile

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits

Fekede Sileshi Fufa embarked on his academic journey by obtaining a BA Degree in History and Heritage Management from Wollega University. Building on this foundation, he pursued an MA Degree in History and Heritage Management at Jimma University. Currently, Fekede is dedicated to advancing his scholarly pursuits as a PhD Candidate in History Education at Jimma University.

Professional Endeavors

From 2007 to 2015, Fekede contributed to the field of education by teaching History at various institutions, including Limmu Preparatory School. Transitioning to a lecturer role, he served at Adola Teachers College, Fitche Teachers College, and Sebeta Special Needs Teachers' College from 2015 to 2020. Since 2021, he has been actively engaged in his PhD studies, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and academic excellence.

Contributions and Research Focus

Beyond teaching, Fekede has made noteworthy contributions to academia. While holding a lecturer position, he authored and published five articles in international journals, showcasing his dedication to research and knowledge dissemination. His research focus lies in the realm of History Education, reflecting a passion for enhancing the understanding and pedagogy of historical subjects.

Accolades and Recognition

Fekede's commitment to quality education is evident in his participation in various training programs, including the School Improvement Program Training, Continuous Professional Development, and Civic and Ethical Education training. His active involvement as a coordinator in the Developmental Team Training Program and the role of Practicum Coordinator at Sebeta College of Teachers Education underline his recognized leadership and organizational skills.

Impact and Influence

Fekede's impact extends beyond the classroom. He played a pivotal role as a supervisor in the 2007 National Census Program and contributed significantly to the Sidama regional election as a coordinator, showcasing his commitment to civic duties and community engagement.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Fekede's legacy is marked by his dedication to education, research, and community service. As a PhD Candidate, his future contributions are poised to further enrich the field of History Education. Through a blend of teaching, research, and community involvement, he aims to leave a lasting imprint on the academic landscape and the communities he serves.

Notable Publications

Challenges of the Ethiopian education system from 1908 to 1990s. A historical analysis 2023

Changes and continuities in Ethiopian secondary school history education curriculum 2023

Examining the challenges of using student-centred teaching strategies in secondary schools: A qualitative approach 2023 (1)