David McCurdy Stuart-de-Bute
Master of Applied Practice, Master of Education, PGDA, BSc (Hons), GDTh
Position
Academic lead - Curriculum and Students, Programme Committee Chair, Lecturer
Teaching area
Software Engineering, Data Analytics, Game Development, Visual Design Analysis, Programming, Artificial Intelligence
Biography
David McCurdy is an accomplished academic equipped with extensive experience in academic management and teaching. He demonstrates strong leadership abilities and a broad range of interdisciplinary skills, with a focus on effective team management and pastoral care.
As a proven academic programme developer and designer, he has created multiple programmes on the NZQA framework, including degrees in IT and Software Development. His lecturing experience spans numerous degree programmes across disciplines and interdisciplinary subjects, including work-based learning. David also has experience in staff and student supervision, including work-based and academic capstone supervision for bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.
Notably, David has represented New Zealand as a member of Team New Zealand for the Professional Tour of Magic the Gathering in 2006. In 2003, he served as an Ambassador for the British Council, representing the New Zealand Gaming Industry.
Why I love MIT
I find profound satisfaction in my work at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) due to its deep alignment with my commitment to serving the South Auckland community and fostering student well-being. My passion for supporting people and fostering education is directly channeled into my role as a lecturer, where I not only teach technical courses but also oversee capstone and final year projects. A key aspect of my dedication to MIT is the integration of Te Ao Māori concepts into the curriculum and programme design, reflecting my extensive postgraduate studies in Māori and Indigenous worldview and Ako Māori implementation. Furthermore, my background as a dedicated pastoral carer allows me to extend my commitment to student well-being, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment within the diverse South Auckland context.
Publications
David McCurdy has authored journal and conference articles in the fields of computing and education, specifically focusing on programming and robotics.
In the realm of motion pictures, David served as an Executive Producer for five award-winning short movies between 2009 and 2011. During the same period, he also engaged as an actor/performer in short movies and provided voice work for video games. Since 2016, he has been involved in live broadcast and live integration as a Worship Service Technical Director.
Scholarly activities
David is also currently completing two books: one exploring worldview and belief systems, and another a creative rendition of the Gospel of John.
Research interests
Artificial Intelligence, Decolonising AI, Hermeneutics and the Analysis of Ancient Texts using AI
Award and grants
His notable awards and accolades include being a representative for Team New Zealand in the Professional Tour of Magic the Gathering in 2006. In 2006, he was part of the R&D team at Compac Sorting Equipment that received the TUANZ Technology Award for their InVision Kiwi Fruit Grader. David was also an Ambassador for the British Council, representing the Gaming Industry in New Zealand in 2003. As Head of Department, he received the TUANZ—Best Educational Product award for Media Design School’s Diploma of e-Commerce in 2001. Additionally, he received an International Research Award in Informing Sciences for his research on Information Systems Transformations: Artificial Intelligence at the AMCIS Conference in the USA in 1999, and an Institutional Research Award for his contribution to research at UCOL in 1999
