Kieran Balloo

Biography

Kieran has been a university educator and researcher for nearly 15 years. He has a PhD in psychology and began his tertiary career teaching research methods to undergraduate psychology students. He later moved into academic development, where he specialised in pedagogic and educational research. He has held academic leadership roles, including Associate Head (Learning, Teaching and Student Success) and Program Director. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Kieran's work contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals

Research

Kieran is a social scientist and mixed methods researcher specialising in the field of higher education. His research explores university learning, teaching and assessment practices, drawing on theory and data to propose evidence-informed and practical innovations that support tertiary educators and students. His work emphasises the importance of innovative and inclusive educational practices to enhance the university experience for diverse student populations. Kieran is a member of the editorial board for Teaching in Higher Education, and his research is published in leading educational journals, including Studies in Higher Education, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, Higher Education Research & Development, and Higher Education. He has been awarded, as Principal or Co-Investigator, a total exceeding AUD$600,000 in competitive grants from prestigious funders, including the Economic and Social Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.

Kieran has a proven international track record in impactful higher education research across three interconnected themes:

1. University Learning and Teaching
2. Mental Health and Wellbeing of University Students and Young People
3. University Student Equity, Inclusion and Transitions