David Hirsh is Associate Professor in TESOL within the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. He teaches courses on the Master of Education (TESOL) degree program and has been involved in the postgraduate TESOL program for many years. Previously serving as Lecturer in TESOL in the Faculty of Education and Social Work, he advanced to his current associate professorship. At one point, he held the role of Associate Dean (postgraduate programs) in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. His academic career at the University of Sydney encompasses teaching, research, and administrative contributions in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Hirsh's research specializations include the role of vocabulary in language learning, second language vocabulary, second language writing, bilingual education, language revitalisation, and language policy. He engages in research collaborations exploring vocabulary functions in educational settings. Notable publications comprise 'English language, academic support and academic outcomes: A discussion paper' published in University of Sydney Papers in TESOL (volume 2, issue 2, pages 193-211, 2007), which has received 58 citations; 'Vocabulary growth in an English as a foreign language context' co-authored with H. Zhong; 'A pilot science-specific word list'; and the recent 'Lexical Profile of AI-Generated Content in Higher Education' (2025). He has contributed to edited volumes such as 'Endangered Languages, Knowledge Systems and Belief Systems' and 'Research Perspectives in Language and Education'. Hirsh has served as co-editor for special issues of University of Sydney Papers in TESOL and is a member of the editorial board for the University of Sydney Journal of TESOL. His work appears in journals and proceedings related to applied linguistics and TESOL, influencing discussions on vocabulary acquisition and language education.

Professional Email: david.hirsh@sydney.edu.au