Courtney Birksmith

Courtney works as part of the Collection Enhancement Project, curating rock specimens within the Australian Museum’s Mineralogy and Petrology collection and oversees their digitisation. Courtney works closely with the DigiVol volunteers, who play a key role in imaging the museum's vast rock collection. Before joining the Australian Museum, Courtney completed a MSc in palaeobiology, conducting research on microfossils and geology from South Australia.

With a deep-rooted passion for both rocks and fossils, Courtney enjoys exploring the fascinating history the Museum’s specimens reveal, offering a snapshot into life from hundreds to millions of years ago.

• Master of Teaching (Secondary), Charles Sturt University. Completed 112 of 128 credit points.
• Master of Science (Research) in Palaeobiology, Macquarie University. Thesis: “Chronostratigraphy of the Cambrian Series 2-Miaolingian boundary, western Stansbury Basin, South Australia”
• Bachelor of Science in Palaeobiology and Climate Science, Macquarie University.

• Macquarie University Research Excellence (MRes) Stipend Scholarship
• Research training program Scholarship
• Research training program Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship
• Executive Dean Award 2023

• Birksmith, C., Betts, M. J., Holmes, J. D., Castle-Jones, J. A. C. K., Hall, P. A., Klaebe, R. M., ... & Brock, G. A. (2025). Identification of the Cambrian Series 2—Miaolingian boundary, western Stansbury Basin, South Australia using multiproxy chronostratigraphy. Australasian Palaeontological Memoirs, 57, 21-47.