Dr. Leigh Achterbosch
Senior Lecturer, Information Technology
Campus
Biography
Dr Leigh Achterbosch is a lecturer of information technology in the Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability (IISS). He started working for Federation University Australia in 2007 (formerly known as the University of Ballarat) as a sessional staff member and was made permanent ongoing staff in 2014. He has won institute and discipline learning and teaching awards on multiple occasions in 2017, 2020, and 2025, and maintains outstanding teaching and unit feedback across all his units.
Leigh received his PhD in 2015 at Federation University, studying the impact and pervasiveness of the harassing behaviours of individuals within online video games, and has expanded his research interests into using emerging technologies such as simulations, virtual and mixed reality to educate and train in various situations from higher education nursing students to primary school children.
Fields of research
- Human-computer interaction
- Entertainment and gaming
- Virtual and mixed reality
More about Leigh
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology), Federation University
- Graduate Certificate in Education (Tertiary Education), Federation University
- Bachelor of Computing (First Class Honours), University of Ballarat
- Bachelor of Information Technology (Distinction), University of Ballarat
- Diploma of Information Technology, University of Ballarat
- Diploma of Visual Arts, University of Ballarat
Areas of interest
- Online gamer behaviour
- Education and academic integrity
- VR and AR simulation
- User experience
Grants
- 2021: School of Engineering, IT and Physical Sciences (SEITPS) RSP Fund ($3,533)
- 2022: SummerTech Projects, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ($22,000)
Awards
- 2025: Learning and Teaching Innovation | Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability (IISS), Federation University
- 2020: Learning and Teaching Engagement and Student Support | School of Engineering, IT and Physical Sciences (SEITPS), Federation University
- 2017: Learning and Teaching Unit Development | Faculty of Science and Technology (FoST), Federation University
Current
- PhD student, Federation University, ‘Evaluating governance mechanisms for managing cyber risk in electronic health records’, associate supervisor.
- PhD student, Federation University, ‘Reimagining Assessment in the Age of AI: Operationalising Reflection-in Action through Dialogic Learning Design’, associate supervisor.
Past
- PhD student, Federation University, ‘Academic–Industry Divide: Australian Video Games Sector’, associate supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University, ‘The Efficiency of Using Augmented Reality to Teach Children About Household Safety’, associate supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University, ‘First-Person Shooter Gaming Community Perceptions of Game Communication Models’, associate supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University, ‘Proposing a Blockchain-Based Software License Management Model with Resalable Licenses: A Study of User and Developer Perspectives’, associate supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University, ‘The Effectiveness of Projected Augmented Reality to Teach Balance and Coordination to Children’, principal supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University, ‘Motivations and Gaming Habits of the Australian Mobile Gamer’, principal supervisor.
- User experience
- Web design and development
- Game design and development
Specialist roles
- Senior lecturer of information technology
- Bachelor of IT (Software Application Development) course coordinator
Health Innovation and Transformation Centre
Centre for Smart Analytics (CSA)
- Publications
Children's Perceived Ease of Use of a Projected Augmented Reality Game Designed for Balance and Coordination Training
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.3390/technologies13010009