Rate My Professor Bill McBride

Professor Bill McBride is a Professor in the School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) at the University of Newcastle. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) completed in 1991 and a PhD completed in 2001, both from the University of Newcastle, with the doctorate pursued while working as a materials handling engineer. Since his appointment as Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering in July 2002, he has progressed through the academic ranks and assumed key leadership positions, including Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning) for Engineering and Built Environment from January 2011 to January 2021. In 2024/2025, he is serving as Acting Head of School for the School of Engineering. A member of Engineers Australia since 1992, McBride has dedicated 15 years to academic and educational management roles equivalent to Assistant Dean. His tenure, spanning 35 years at the university as recognized in 2025, reflects a profound commitment to governance that underpins high-quality education. During his Assistant Dean period, he achieved significant enhancements in graduate student evaluations of programs. In 2015, he initiated an ambitious redesign of all undergraduate engineering offerings, developing plans through 2016 and launching first intakes for the end-on Master of Professional Engineering in 2017. He has led the University of Newcastle through three Engineers Australia general review cycles, introducing innovative streamlining tools.

McBride's research expertise centers on experimentally focused bulk solids handling, including work on gravity reclaim stockpiles, feeders, transfer chutes, and dust control. He mentors junior staff in materials handling, manufacturing, and mechanical design, with a 100% Field of Research classification in Solid Mechanics. Affiliated with the Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies, his contributions include extensive conference publications such as 'Portfolio Based Assessment in Mechanical Engineering Design' (2024, with Carr et al.), 'Scalable Vivas: Industry Authentic Assessment to Large Cohorts through "Debate Club" Tutorials' (2022, with Kirkland et al.), 'Practical problem-based learning during and "post" COVID; a case study of ENGG1500' (2021, with Cuskelly et al.), 'CFD modeling of a coarse particle free falling material stream' (2013, with Esmaili et al.), 'Prediction of Bulk Material Stockpile Reclaim Capacity' (2002), and 'Curved transfer chute - results of site trials and optimization' (2000). He received the A.W. Roberts Research Award in 1999. McBride's impact on engineering education includes advancements in accreditation processes, professional practice integration, and student orientation programs like UONinspire.