Dr Borg is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. David's research integrates applied human and thermal physiology with advanced statistical methods, to optimise exercise performance, and understand injury, illness, and rehabilitation in complex populations, including athletes and people with disability. With expertise in Bayesian modelling and evidence synthesis, he is particularly drawn to applied problems where rigorous scientific methods can help organisations optimise their use of data to inform policy and practice.
Alongside his empirical work, he uses meta-research to identify and address problems with the sports science and sports medicine evidence base, with the aim of improving how research is conducted.
David serves as a member of the Australian Institute of Sport's Research Review Committee, and as an Associate Editor for Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, Communications in Kinesiology, and the Journal of Sports Sciences.
Professional Memberships
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
Professional Social Media
Teaching areas
Dr David Borg's specialist areas of knowledge include exercise physiology, exercise performance, evidence synthesis, research quality, meta-research
In the news
How a grouchy baker became a lecturer to more than 40,000 students
9 AprGreg Nash discovered a love of learning which propelled him from university student to becoming a lecturer and researcher with a desire to help first-year students who were beginning their journey
It’s a pleasure – Declan Humphries on ethics, philosophy and teaching tech
8 AprFrom dial-up gaming and punk radio in rural NSW to shaping national conversations on AI, cyber security and the ethics of emerging tech, Declan Humphreys has turned a lifelong fascination with technology into a mission to question how – and whether – it should shape the way we think
Double celebration for mother and son nursing graduates
8 AprKylie and her son Luke Walsh have graduated together in nursing from UniSC after studying side by side through COVID-19, supporting each other into meaningful healthcare careers on the Sunshine Coast
Want to be a citizen scientist? Here are 5 ways to get involved
7 AprEver wondered what it might feel like to spot giant spider crabs while you’re snorkelling? Or check plants for the circular holes that indicate native bees are collecting nest materials? Citizen science relies on people like you – more than a million of them in Australia, actually – to collect and analyse valuable data about the world around us
Could biofuels have softened Australia’s diesel crisis – and protect us from the next one?
2 AprAustralia’s fuel shortage exposes a deeper vulnerability – and Professor Mark Brown argues that unless we scale biofuels to secure our own fuel supply, the next crisis may hit even harder
New coating could improve safety of medical implants
7 AprA team of scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast and around the world has developed a promising way to reduce the risks from biodegradable medical implants.
UniSC earns third SAGE Cygnet Award for advancing equitable career development
2 AprThe University of the Sunshine Coast has achieved its third SAGE Cygnet Award, recognising sustained progress in removing barriers to equitable career development and reinforcing the University’s commitment to gender equity.
Cuba has been in Washington’s crosshairs for decades. The Iran war is raising the stakes
25 MarOn March 16, Cuba’s national electricity grid collapsed for the third time in four months, plunging 10 million people into more than 29 hours of darkness.
Karina’s future was written – this is how she became a health and medical writer
19 MarKarina Hamilton-Peel has always loved writing but she never expected to make a career out of it for one of the world's best known medical health journals – with a little help along the way.
Prawn baby boom could crack new market
18 MarBuild it and they will spawn - the outstanding success of a hatchery custom-built by scientists at the University of the Sunshine Coast could make a native prawn species the next big thing in Australian seafood
My mind keeps on going blank. How worried should I be?
12 MarWe’ve all been there, whether it’s at a crucial moment of an exam, walking into a room for a specific purpose, or making an impromptu speech, your mind goes blank. It can be frustrating, stressful or worrying. But what’s really going on in your brain? And when should you go to your GP for a check-up?
Panic buying just makes shortages worse. Why do people do it anyway?
12 MarIf your last fuel stop left you shocked at the A$2‑plus price tag, you’re not the only one.
UniSC Moreton Bay to host winner of $1 million Ultimate HQ competition
11 MarA New Zealand company is moving operations to the University of the Sunshine Coast, after winning a global competition to bring business to Moreton Bay.
“2000km to find a mate” meet Australia’s most determined seabirds
11 MarNew genetic testing from the University of the Sunshine Coast has uncovered the extraordinary lengths a group of Queensland sea birds will travel to keep love blossoming on their little island
From fit-tracker fails to under fuelling: Five things that surprised me while studying female sports performance
6 MarAccredited sports dietitian and PhD candidate Rebekka Frazer reveals how female centred sports science research can fuel women's training, performance and health
New rules and high expectations: can Oscar Piastri break Australia’s F1 drought?
6 MarThe Australian Grand Prix launches the 2026 Formula 1 (F1) season at Melbourne’s Albert Park on Sunday and despite US strikes on Iran forcing changed travel plans, organisers are confident the event will go ahead without a hitch
Pictures worth a thousand words earn national science teaching award
4 MarA University of the Sunshine Coast bioscientist has received a national award for her back-to-basics method of teaching body functions to help student nurses improve patient care
Loneliness linked to fear of embarrassment: teen research
4 MarA University of the Sunshine Coast study of young teenagers has identified a vicious cycle of loneliness linked to the fear of embarrassment or judgement by peers
Why do some of us vividly remember dreams and others say they ‘don’t dream’?
3 MarSleep scientists explore the complex brain processes and factors shaping what our sleeping brain remembers.
Neither preemptive nor legal, US‑Israeli strikes on Iran have blown up international law
2 MarThe joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran represent a further erosion of the international legal order.
Carla Mcrae – illustrating the city of Melbourne and our new food hub: Eat. SC
27 FebAny creative will tell you that making the work comes naturally, commercialising it is the hard part.
Eva kicking goals with FIFA in global youth development
25 FebThe 2006 FIFA World Cup changed so much – especially for Eva Jacobi, who started her own career into the world of professional football (or soccer) at the global event
A terrifying tour of the expanding Alien Universe
23 FebIt's been nearly five decades since the Alien franchise burst onto our screens but little has dimmed its impact, with Dr Susan Hopkins positing that its most terrifying monster may not be the Xenomorph, but the corporate and cultural nightmares explored in the series.
Finding her place – and love – at UniSC
19 FebAnn Robertson not only discovered a rewarding career helping students achieve their university dreams at UniSC – she also found her partner.
A Swedish scientist’s story of pioneering microbiology at UniSC
19 FebAssociate Professor Mohammad Katouli reflects on choosing opportunity over certainty almost three decades ago to build a research program from scratch in what seemed like “the middle of nowhere”
'New Zealanders are inventive by necessity’: how the master clown Philippe Gaulier shaped NZ theatre
17 FebMaster clown and French theatre guru Philippe Gaulier has passed away aged 82, but his influence will live on around the world – particularly in Aotearoa New Zealand
Nepo baby rebellion: Could the family breakdown finally break Brand Beckham?
16 FebIn January 2026 when world leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss escalating global tensions, Brooklyn Beckham's Instagram revealed family turmoil that captured equally intense public attention
TikTok – where social meets business for Spencer
12 FebWhat started as goofing around with a bunch of high school mates has turned into a fun and blossoming business venture for Spencer Abbott
‘I wish I could fall asleep and never wake up’: even passive suicidal thoughts are a worry. Here’s how to respond
9 FebSuicide is the leading cause of death among Australians aged 15 to 49, approximately one in eight Australians have seriously considered suicide
Amazon’s Ring wanted to track your pets. It revealed the future of surveillance
9 FebPrivate companies are supplying “intelligence as a service” to government entities and others – and as the Amazon-owned Ring doorbell camera company found out when it advertised a new feature last week, the change is not without controversy
Cheers to that – the story of how our seaweed was added to a friendship
6 FebThe Seaweed Research Group partnered with Hip Hops to brew a unique beer – called the Tomodachi Lager, it uses a specific type of seaweed in the brewing process.
Rocking the Crocoseum: How Lucy ended up centre stage at Australia Zoo
4 FebFrom rallying a Crocoseum crowd at Australia Zoo to carving a PhD path shaped by theatre, motherhood and well-timed yeses, Lucy Orkild’s journey had many twists and turns that have delivered her some interesting experiences.
Advocacy on the world stage – Shawna is making her voice heard
30 JanDriven by the discovery of her family’s painful history under unjust laws, Shawna Pope used her business background to launch a career in advocacy that has taken her all the way to the United Nations to fight for Indigenous rights
Did the kids stay up late in the holidays? 3 ways to get sleep routines back
29 JanWhen holiday sleep habits unravel, our sleep experts can help you gently reset routines so back‑to‑school mornings feel calm instead of chaotic
Accounting all adds up for Ann at Deloitte
27 JanFrom a rural village in China to one of the world's biggest accounting firms, Ann Zhao shares her journey to gaining a graduate position at Deloitte.
Research finds exercise type to target body fat in seniors
23 JanHigh intensity interval training (HIIT) may be the optimal exercise for reducing body fat while maintaining muscle mass in older adults, according to new research led by UniSC academics
Carney’s rallying cry to ‘middle powers’ includes Australia - and we should heed his call
22 JanCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, created global headlines for his criticism of US President Donald Trump and his frank admission the rules-based international order is undergoing a “rupture, not a transition”
UniSC earns second gender equity award for supporting parents and carers
21 JanThe University of the Sunshine Coast has achieved a SAGE Cygnet Award recognising initiatives that support parents and carers and reinforce the University’s commitment to gender equity.
UniSC students awarded 2026 New Colombo Plan Scholarships
21 JanAbout to start on a trip of adventure and growth – Jack Coombes and Connor Hartigan are preparing to bridge the gap between Australia and the Indo-Pacific as they leave on study abroad programs in Thailand and India through the Australian Government's New Colombo Plan
We interviewed Australian women who sexually abused children. This is what we learnt
21 JanFemale‑perpetrated child sexual abuse, though often overlooked, is rising in prevalence and recognition, highlighting the need to shift focus from punishment to understanding and preventing the factors that lead women and girls to offend
Bull sharks are spending longer in Sydney Harbour and other summer grounds. Here’s how you can stay safe
20 JanIn the wake of an unprecedented surge in shark encounters, researchers analyse the conditions behind the incident and offer insight into these creatures' habits.
Trump has threatened European countries with higher tariffs if he doesn’t get Greenland. Will it work?
19 JanTrump is attempting to leverage aggressive tariff threats against key European allies as a pressure tactic to force the sale of Greenland – a strategy that risks permanently fracturing the NATO alliance and destabilizing global trade
Study reveals the factors putting teens at risk of suicidal thoughts
19 JanNew research identifies socioeconomic disadvantage, psychological distress, poor sleep, and unhealthy eating habits as significant risk factors driving suicidal ideation in adolescents
Using ‘baby talk’ could aid infants’ early language development
14 JanBaby talk isn’t just cute – it could play a vital role in helping infants learn the sounds of their language, new research from the University of the Sunshine Coast has found
How Queensland has become a secret video game powerhouse
7 JanQueensland’s rise as Australia’s unexpected games powerhouse is no accident – it's come from a mix of incentives, talent and timing, revealing a story far more surprising than the headline suggests
Getting ready for take-off: industry-led project propels next generation of engineering talent
7 JanA project to build futuristic, driverless flying taxis is starting to take flight – led by the Manufacturing Excellence Forum (MEF), the project involving UniSC is giving students hands-on engineering experience while developing advanced electric aircraft prototypes
Trump wants Greenland. Europe’s tepid response is putting NATO and global security at risk
7 JanTrump’s threat to take control of Greenland and Europe’s muted response risks undermining NATO unity and global security by signalling weakness in defending sovereignty and the rules-based international order.
The US has invaded countries and deposed leaders before. Its military action against Venezuela feels different
4 JanThe US military intervention in Venezuela marks an unprecedented departure from past regime-change actions by the United States because its direct capture of President Maduro and justification for force challenge long-standing international legal norms and have triggered broad global condemnation
Health expert urges caution amid rise in Qld's unseasonal flu cases
22 Dec 2025As families prepare to gather for festive celebrations, health experts are warning that the pressure to show up, even when feeling unwell, could drive a surge in infectious diseases
A traumatic event is still affecting me, when should I check for PTSD?
22 Dec 2025It is very normal to experience stress symptoms following a traumatic event, but a global PTSD expert says there are signs when to seek a diagnosis for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
UniSC’s commitment to combatting antisemitism
22 Dec 2025The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) condemns all forms of bullying, discrimination and harassment, including antisemitism and is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for every member of our community.
Food, finance, health, travel: Tips for '26
19 Dec 2025A new year brings fresh guidance from UniSC experts on reducing food waste, building healthier habits, managing your budget, travelling flexibly and safely, and protecting yourself in the summer sun
Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?
19 Dec 2025The Scandinavian sleep method is having a moment in the spotlight – UniSC sleep experts analyse whether or not it actually works.
Top stories for 2025
17 Dec 2025It was another big year – here are our most popular stories for 2025.
UniSC launches fast-tracked degree to meet soaring demand for engineers
17 Dec 2025UniSC has launched an accelerated Bachelor of Engineering to Master of Engineering pathway, giving students internationally recognised qualifications and faster access to high-demand engineering careers amid Australia’s skills shortage
Study reveals fisheries danger zones for seabirds
16 Dec 2025New research has raised hopes of reducing the tragic incidental impacts of commercial fishing on large seabirds between Australia and South America
What you need to know about why it's important to keep wearing sunscreen
16 Dec 2025A wave of confusing sunscreen recalls and labelling issues has raising public doubt about their efficacy – but the evidence remains clear: Australians need to keep using trusted sunscreens as part of essential sun protection to prevent skin cancer
Our URL has been updated to UniSC
16 Dec 2025UniSC has moved from usc.edu.au to unisc.edu.au.
Why do we wake up shortly before our alarm goes off? It’s not by chance
12 Dec 2025Learn how your body's circadian rhythm works, which is run by a small group of neurons called the suprachiasmatic nucleus – otherwise known as your body's "master clock", which is manages how and when you sleep or wake
Why is Trump so obsessed with Venezuela? His new security strategy provides some clues
11 Dec 2025The Trump administration has revived the Monroe Doctrine through its National Security Strategy, prioritizing U.S.
Why Australia should act on new global environment findings: UniSC expert
10 Dec 2025A UniSC professor who co-authored a major United Nations’ global environmental outlook released today is urging Australia to heed the findings to avoid an unsustainable future
How Brisbane 2032 planning could change SEQ and the Games: expert available
9 Dec 2025Brisbane 2032 could lead the way for mid-size regions around the world to host Olympic and Paralympic Games, rather than the mega-cities of the past, according to a sports journalism academic
From prosecutor to policy maker: Jessie’s creative journey around the Indo-Pacific
8 Dec 2025Jessie Whyman’s story traces a shift from criminal law to creative industries, leveraging a New Colombo Plan scholarship to build an Indo-Pacific career that now blends government policy, creative practice and a growing research focus on how storytelling can responsibly shape real-world understanding
As music festival season ramps up, artists can help shine a light on an ‘invisible’ workforce
5 Dec 2025Around Australia, music festival season is once again kicking into high gear — yet behind every headline act is a vast and often invisible workforce of stage crew, sound engineers, lighting techs, riggers, truck drivers, backup singers, dancers and other support staff
Turn it up – carving out a career in the music industry
3 Dec 2025What started with a delivery from Nashville is blossoming into a grounded, multifaceted music career as Will Clift blends performance, production and study to build a future centred on creating music with people he cares about
Gender equity award for UniSC a key step to silver status
3 Dec 2025UniSC has earned a prestigious recognition for gender equity – following a series of improvements to bring clarity about the path to academic promotion.
Vote for UniSC’s koala vaccine researchers in the Shaping Australia Awards
5 Dec 2025Queensland’s koala Chlamydia vaccine is in the running for a major national innovation award – and the public can help by voting
The Irwins keep winning Dancing with the Stars, proving Australia's soft power is alive and well
2 Dec 2025Robert Irwin’s Dancing with the Stars win highlights how Australian cultural icons like the Irwins quietly strengthen Australia-US relations through soft power and genuine, relatable appeal
Robodogs take the lead in testing safer, smarter livestock herding
1 Dec 2025From a chance encounter into a collaborative, farmer-led project exploring how AI and robotics can safely support livestock work without replacing working dogs – the story behind how we can to train robodogs to herd sheep
Free business planning course for Queensland
28 Nov 2025UniSC will hold a free two-day Business Planning Course on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December, thanks to $70,000 funding from Queensland Government.
Project to encourage more young people to seek help for self-harm
27 Nov 2025A University of the Sunshine Coast researcher has received a prestigious grant of more than half a million dollars to find new ways of encouraging young people who self-harm to seek assistance
UniSC sets sights on a potential new treatment for diabetes-related eye damage
27 Nov 2025The University of the Sunshine Coast has begun a new clinical trial set to delay the progression of eye damage caused by diabetes
Underwater recorders reveal surprising dolphin and whale activity at southern Great Barrier Reef
26 Nov 2025Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast have become the first to publish acoustic data that confirms the presence of the elusive dwarf minke whale in the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Social media ban looms for u16s: 5 expert opinions
25 Nov 2025Removing a pernicious influence or cutting off connection? Five University of the Sunshine Coast experts comment on Australia's social media ban for under 16s, with the law set to come into force by 10 December
Your ATAR isn’t everything: what to do next
24 Nov 2025Even if your ATAR is lower than you hoped, there are multiple pathways into uni that can get you where you want to go
TEDx University of the Sunshine Coast event to showcase the Coast to the world
20 Nov 2025UniSC will host its first TEDx event, showcasing the Sunshine Coast's innovation and community to more than 43 million viewers worldwide.
UniSC celebrates the success of trailblazing alumni
19 Nov 2025A pioneering sports scientist and an eminent Indigenous leader are among the seven high achievers recognised at this year’s University of the Sunshine Coast’s alumni awards.
Startups showcased high-tech solutions following UniSC accelerator
13 Nov 2025After fast tracking their innovative ideas at the University of the Sunshine Coast, startup pioneers showcased their high-tech solutions to pressing global challenges
Trial finds relief for vascular disease sufferers
13 Nov 2025A University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) trial has found that a widely available footplate muscle stimulation device could significantly improve symptoms in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition affecting blood flow to the legs
Ten years after the Paris attacks: advancing PTSD treatment through reconsolidation therapy
12 Nov 2025Ten years after the Paris attacks, Professor Alain Brunet’s reflects on how training clinicians on the ground in reconsolidation therapy has helped some of the survivors recover from trauma faster and more gently, offering new hope for people living with PTSD worldwide
2032 Games: A golden opportunity
7 Nov 2025UniSC experts are available to speak ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Why the four-day workweek is more than just a fad: boosting wellbeing, productivity, and the future of work
7 Nov 2025The four-day work week has been slow to catch on but we are starting to get evidence of its benefits, showing that shorter hours can boost wellbeing, productivity and satisfaction –creating happier employees and smarter, more sustainable businesses
Fraser Coast graduate prepares for new teaching role
6 Nov 2025Fraser Coast’s Stacey Taplin is ready to step into her next classroom as a school teacher outside of Emerald in central Queensland.
Program empowers First Nations Nursing students at UniSC
6 Nov 2025Aunty Leone Smith, a Gamilaraay nurse with more than 50 years of experience, is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery students at UniSC through her Capture and Keep program, offering personal, cultural and academic support to help them succeed from enrolment to graduation
More than half of young adults admit drink-driving the morning after
5 Nov 2025The belief that “friends do it too” is a major factor in young adults drink-driving the morning after a night out, according to a study of almost 300 Queenslanders
Could a cheetah win the Melbourne Cup?
5 Nov 2025Thoroughbred racehorses dominate the Melbourne Cup not just in tradition and speed, but also in scientific comparisons with other fast land animals, proving their unmatched endurance and performance over 3,200 metres
‘Cutting-edge’ research hub decoding disease at a cellular level
4 Nov 2025The Sunshine Coast is at the forefront of medical science, with the establishment of a new research hub spearheading advances in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, chronic disease and immune disorders
‘Wog’ humour, tense US politics and real-world monsters: what to watch in November
3 Nov 2025As the year begins to wind down, and the days grow longer, our critics have a fresh slate of films and series to keep you glued to your screen
Road safety and visual experience: UniSC-led research attracts ARC funding
31 Oct 2025UniSC researchers have secured $1.7 million in ARC Discovery funding for projects tackling road safety, visual neuroscience, and climate justice
Australian marine environments face shock 2040 deadline
29 Oct 2025New research has found that even Australia’s most protected marine habitats are likely to suffer extreme ocean impacts by 2040, increasing threats to thousands of plant and animal species
From surf to scrubs: Ronan’s call to caring
29 Oct 2025From surf lifesaving to nursing, UniSC student Ronan Nagle is turning his passion for helping others into a rewarding career that combines teamwork, care and community
Connection is key, says student success mentor and Brisbane Striker fullback
28 Oct 2025Bundjalung man and UniSC graduate Josiah Green is using his own university journey to support and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the Buranga Centre, helping them feel comfortable, connected and confident to succeed
Research revealing the secret lives of bull sharks on the Sunshine Coast
28 Oct 2025With Spring in full swing, it’s not just swimmers, surfers and fishermen making the most of the warm weather – bull sharks are also active and on the move, according to University of the Sunshine Coast researchers
UniSC shines in Good Universities Guide: top spots for engineering and overall experience
27 Oct 2025The latest Good Universities Guide has once again crowned the University of the Sunshine Coast as having the best “overall education experience” of any public university in Queensland, It’s the fourth consecutive year UniSC has topped the state for student satisfaction.
Conservation scientist by day, pool shark by night: meet UniSC’s ‘pool professor’
24 Oct 2025How UniSC’s Professor Andy Marshall finds focus and clarity in green, whether it’s the living forests he studies or the green felt he plays on
New panel series to reveal the science of trauma
24 Oct 2025As science reshapes our understanding of trauma, a panel talk on the Sunshine Coast will bring together mental health experts to discuss new ways of alleviating the impacts
New funding for cancer, kidney disease and baby health research
24 Oct 2025A trio of University of the Sunshine Coast research teams will share in $450,000 grant funding to improve the health care of newborn babies, examine the recurrence of liver cancer and understand the causes of diabetic kidney disease.
Meet Spider-Man: the ecology student who has arachnid experts buzzing
24 Oct 2025Superheroes go to great lengths to keep their identities a secret, they don aliases, costumes and disguises, meeting police and reporters in the dead of night on rooftops and in dark alleys - this ‘Spider-Man’ isn’t quite as mysterious
Ange Postecoglou’s sackings may say more about the Premier League’s attention span than him
23 Oct 2025Ange Postecoglou’s rapid dismissals from Tottenham and Nottingham Forest highlight the Premier League’s impatience with transformational coaching styles like his high-risk “Ange-ball,” raising questions about club owners’ commitment to long-term vision and systemic change