Members
(70%)
Alison Short
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Senior Lecturer in Creative Music Therapy, School of Humanities and Communication Arts.
Alison’s interests include both Music Therapy and Music Medicine and her research has focused on music therapy in cardiac rehabilitation, and a broad range of areas including the auditory environment and public health.
(30%)
Andrew Bennie
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Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education and Sport Development, School of Health Science.
Andrew’s research interests focus on sports coaching, factors influencing elite athlete development from a psychosocial perspective, First Nations Peoples’ sport participation, social justice, and teaching and learning in Health and Physical Education.
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Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education and Sport Development, School of Health Science.
Andrew’s research interests focus on sports coaching, factors influencing elite athlete development from a psychosocial perspective, First Nations Peoples’ sport participation, social justice, and teaching and learning in Health and Physical Education.
Andrew Grainger
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Lecturer in Sport Development, School of Health Sciences.
Andy’s research and teaching focuses on the globalization and commercialization of sport, physical culture, and physical activity. His current research explores the intersections of sport policy, sport diplomacy, and the myths and realities of major sport event ‘legacy.’
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Lecturer in Sport Development, School of Health Sciences.
Andy’s research and teaching focuses on the globalization and commercialization of sport, physical culture, and physical activity. His current research explores the intersections of sport policy, sport diplomacy, and the myths and realities of major sport event ‘legacy.’
Awais Priacha
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Associate Professor in Geography, Tourism & Planning, School of Social Sciences.
Awais has a depth of experience in the use of GIS and modelling tools for urban, environmental and transport planning. His recent research focus is on planning for open space and recreation in high-density areas, ensuring that such developments meet residents' recreational needs through rational and evidence-based approaches.
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Associate Professor in Geography, Tourism & Planning, School of Social Sciences.
Awais has a depth of experience in the use of GIS and modelling tools for urban, environmental and transport planning. His recent research focus is on planning for open space and recreation in high-density areas, ensuring that such developments meet residents' recreational needs through rational and evidence-based approaches.
Aymen El Masri
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Lecturer, Interprofessional Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences.
Aymen’s research interests include physical activity promotion, community engagement, and health research among culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Aymen has experience in a diverse range of research methodologies, including qualitative studies, epidemiological studies, systematic reviews, and health intervention development, delivery, and evaluation.
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Lecturer, Interprofessional Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences.
Aymen’s research interests include physical activity promotion, community engagement, and health research among culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Aymen has experience in a diverse range of research methodologies, including qualitative studies, epidemiological studies, systematic reviews, and health intervention development, delivery, and evaluation.
Ben Dascombe
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Professor, Sport and Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences.
Ben has a background in sports physiology, having worked at the Western Australian Institute of Sport with various Olympic athletes. He has also worked as a member of working parties towards multiple new teaching and research facilities and been successful in attracting funding for research infrastructure.
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Professor, Sport and Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences.
Ben has a background in sports physiology, having worked at the Western Australian Institute of Sport with various Olympic athletes. He has also worked as a member of working parties towards multiple new teaching and research facilities and been successful in attracting funding for research infrastructure.
Bobby Cheema
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Associate Professor in Sport & Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences.
Bobby’s research is currently focussed on exercise, cannabinoid and endocannabinoid system responses, and how these responses relate to other physiological responses, symptom experience and mental health outcomes.
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Associate Professor in Sport & Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences.
Bobby’s research is currently focussed on exercise, cannabinoid and endocannabinoid system responses, and how these responses relate to other physiological responses, symptom experience and mental health outcomes.
Caroline Mills
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Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences.
Caroline is an Australian registered Occupational Therapist with 20 years’ experience working in the disability sector in Australia and overseas in government and not-for-profit roles. Caroline is interested in co-designed applied approaches which serve to improve the participation and health of people with disability across the lifespan.
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Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences.
Caroline is an Australian registered Occupational Therapist with 20 years’ experience working in the disability sector in Australia and overseas in government and not-for-profit roles. Caroline is interested in co-designed applied approaches which serve to improve the participation and health of people with disability across the lifespan.
Chris Yorke
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Associate Lecturer in Sport Management, School of Business.
Christopher’s research interests align with his practitioner experience engaging with community sport. Christopher aims to facilitate successful partnerships between higher education, small and medium enterprises and grassroot sport to impact Western Sydney, Australia and the global landscape.
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Associate Lecturer in Sport Management, School of Business.
Christopher’s research interests align with his practitioner experience engaging with community sport. Christopher aims to facilitate successful partnerships between higher education, small and medium enterprises and grassroot sport to impact Western Sydney, Australia and the global landscape.
Dafna Merom
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Professor of Public Health, School of Health Sciences.
Dafna's research interest is in the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of adverse health outcomes along the lifespan. She has explored the health benefits of leisure and recreational physical activities as well as evaluated the effectiveness of population-wide approaches to increase physical activity.
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Professor of Public Health, School of Health Sciences.
Dafna's research interest is in the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of adverse health outcomes along the lifespan. She has explored the health benefits of leisure and recreational physical activities as well as evaluated the effectiveness of population-wide approaches to increase physical activity.
David Rowe
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Emeritus Professor of Cultural Research, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University.
David has published widely on leisure, sport, culture and media. His leisure-related books include: Popular Cultures: Rock Music, Sport and the Politics of Pleasure; Tourism, Leisure, Sport: Critical Perspectives; and Sport, Culture and the Media: The Unruly Trinity.
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Emeritus Professor of Cultural Research, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University.
David has published widely on leisure, sport, culture and media. His leisure-related books include: Popular Cultures: Rock Music, Sport and the Politics of Pleasure; Tourism, Leisure, Sport: Critical Perspectives; and Sport, Culture and the Media: The Unruly Trinity.
Deborah Stevenson
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Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Urban Cultural Research, the Institute for Culture and Society.
Deborah has researched and published extensively on arts and cultural policy, cities and everyday life, and the ways in which gender shapes leisure and creative practice. Her books include Tourist Cultures: Identity, Place and the Traveller and Cultural Policy Beyond the Economy: Work, Value, and the Social.
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Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Urban Cultural Research, the Institute for Culture and Society.
Deborah has researched and published extensively on arts and cultural policy, cities and everyday life, and the ways in which gender shapes leisure and creative practice. Her books include Tourist Cultures: Identity, Place and the Traveller and Cultural Policy Beyond the Economy: Work, Value, and the Social.
Donna James
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Lecturer in Heritage, Tourism and Events, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Social Sciences.
Donna’s research centres around working holiday makers, vulnerability, women's safety, and tourists' use of location-aware social apps to make connections while travelling. Donna currently serves as an Editorial Board Member for Tourism Geographies.
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Lecturer in Heritage, Tourism and Events, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Social Sciences.
Donna’s research centres around working holiday makers, vulnerability, women's safety, and tourists' use of location-aware social apps to make connections while travelling. Donna currently serves as an Editorial Board Member for Tourism Geographies.
Emma George
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Associate Professor in Health and Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Emma’s research expertise includes health promotion intervention design, implementation and evaluation, mixed methods research, men’s health, epidemiology and physical activity measurement. Her research has involved working with middle-aged men, sport fans, older adults, emergency service volunteers, youth in organised sport and culturally diverse populations.
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Associate Professor in Health and Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Emma’s research expertise includes health promotion intervention design, implementation and evaluation, mixed methods research, men’s health, epidemiology and physical activity measurement. Her research has involved working with middle-aged men, sport fans, older adults, emergency service volunteers, youth in organised sport and culturally diverse populations.
Freya MacMillan
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Associate Professor in Health Promotion, School of Health Sciences and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Research.
Freya is a health promotion intervention expert. She uses her community engagement, mixed-methods and implementation science expertise to develop, evaluate and translate health promotion and injury prevention interventions into sustainable practice for the prevention of diabetes, promotion of health and wellbeing and prevention of road injury/mortality.
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Associate Professor in Health Promotion, School of Health Sciences and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Research.
Freya is a health promotion intervention expert. She uses her community engagement, mixed-methods and implementation science expertise to develop, evaluate and translate health promotion and injury prevention interventions into sustainable practice for the prevention of diabetes, promotion of health and wellbeing and prevention of road injury/mortality.
Jessica Richards
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Lecturer in Hospitality, Marketing and Sport, School of Business.
Jessica’s research broadly focuses on sport management, sport marketing, event management and measuring the social impact of sport for all members of the community. Her work aims to contribute to understanding sport consumers and provide sport organisations opportunities to grow and sustain their current fan base with new and innovate strategies.
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Lecturer in Hospitality, Marketing and Sport, School of Business.
Jessica’s research broadly focuses on sport management, sport marketing, event management and measuring the social impact of sport for all members of the community. Her work aims to contribute to understanding sport consumers and provide sport organisations opportunities to grow and sustain their current fan base with new and innovate strategies.
Joseph Cheer
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Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Heritage, and Associate Dean, International, School of Social Sciences.
Joseph is currently Co Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Tourism Geographies, Co-Chair of the American Association of Geographers Recreation, Tourism & Sports Group and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Future Council on the Future of Sustainable Tourism.
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Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Heritage, and Associate Dean, International, School of Social Sciences.
Joseph is currently Co Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Tourism Geographies, Co-Chair of the American Association of Geographers Recreation, Tourism & Sports Group and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Future Council on the Future of Sustainable Tourism.
Joy Paton
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Senior Lecturer in Art Therapy and Director of Academic Program, School of Social Sciences.
Joy’s research-led teaching prioritises transformative learning experiences to foster students with capacities for critical and creative thinking. Her research interests centre on mental health recovery, art therapy practitioner education and the use of visual research methods in contexts of social and/or geographical disadvantage, marginalisation and vulnerability.
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Senior Lecturer in Art Therapy and Director of Academic Program, School of Social Sciences.
Joy’s research-led teaching prioritises transformative learning experiences to foster students with capacities for critical and creative thinking. Her research interests centre on mental health recovery, art therapy practitioner education and the use of visual research methods in contexts of social and/or geographical disadvantage, marginalisation and vulnerability.
Julia Kantek
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Lecturer in Sociology, School of Social Sciences.
Julia's research expertise is at the intersection of youth sociology and migration studies. Her research explores how mobility and life transitions shape identity, belonging, and the everyday lives of individuals and communities.
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Lecturer in Sociology, School of Social Sciences.
Julia's research expertise is at the intersection of youth sociology and migration studies. Her research explores how mobility and life transitions shape identity, belonging, and the everyday lives of individuals and communities.
Julie Wen
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Senior Lecturer in Geography, Tourism and Planning and Academic Program Advisor, School of Social Sciences.
Before joining Western, she worked in China as a lecturer at Zhongshan University, assistant manager of the Longshan Scenic Area in Guangdong Province, a management consultant and a hotel manager. Julie undertook her PhD study focusing on tourism in regional economic development, conservation and decentralisation.
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Senior Lecturer in Geography, Tourism and Planning and Academic Program Advisor, School of Social Sciences.
Before joining Western, she worked in China as a lecturer at Zhongshan University, assistant manager of the Longshan Scenic Area in Guangdong Province, a management consultant and a hotel manager. Julie undertook her PhD study focusing on tourism in regional economic development, conservation and decentralisation.
Justin Guagliano
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Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion, School of Health Sciences.
Justin is primarily interested in conducting research that promotes health and prevents obesity and chronic diseases in young people through community and family-based interventions. He is also interested in reducing health disparities among underserved populations.
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Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion, School of Health Sciences.
Justin is primarily interested in conducting research that promotes health and prevents obesity and chronic diseases in young people through community and family-based interventions. He is also interested in reducing health disparities among underserved populations.
Karina Wardle
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Lecturer in Hospitality, Sport and Marketing, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Business.
With an industry background in catering and events management, Karina’s research interests include event management, tourism crisis recovery and innovation, work integrated learning, career development and employability.
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Lecturer in Hospitality, Sport and Marketing, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Business.
With an industry background in catering and events management, Karina’s research interests include event management, tourism crisis recovery and innovation, work integrated learning, career development and employability.
Kylie Steel
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Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Kylie has had a diverse career in physical education and sport science, beginning as an outdoor educator before moving into K-12 teaching. Her research delves into motor behaviour, investigating how factors such as menstruation, cognition, and creativity impact performance across a range of athletes, including female and para-athletes.
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Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Kylie has had a diverse career in physical education and sport science, beginning as an outdoor educator before moving into K-12 teaching. Her research delves into motor behaviour, investigating how factors such as menstruation, cognition, and creativity impact performance across a range of athletes, including female and para-athletes.
Marion Sturges
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Lecturer in Education and Director of Academic Program, Primary, School of Education.
Marion, an educator for 34 years, She researches marginalised communities, advocates for risky outdoor play, and champions place-based pedagogy. A hiking enthusiast, yogi, and aspiring artist, she lives in the Blue Mountains with her husband and pets.
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Lecturer in Education and Director of Academic Program, Primary, School of Education.
Marion, an educator for 34 years, She researches marginalised communities, advocates for risky outdoor play, and champions place-based pedagogy. A hiking enthusiast, yogi, and aspiring artist, she lives in the Blue Mountains with her husband and pets.
Nicki Taylor
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Lecturer in Sport, Health and Physical Education, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Health Sciences.
Nicki is interested in studies of Health and Physical Education as they intersect with environmental, cultural and embodied learning contexts. Nicki’s research interests also include connecting people’s experiences in natural environments to health outcomes in school and community settings.
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Lecturer in Sport, Health and Physical Education, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Health Sciences.
Nicki is interested in studies of Health and Physical Education as they intersect with environmental, cultural and embodied learning contexts. Nicki’s research interests also include connecting people’s experiences in natural environments to health outcomes in school and community settings.
Peter Clothier
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Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science and Director of Academic Program, School of Health Sciences.
Peter’s research experience and interests are primarily focussed on the Biomechanics of human movement, injury mechanisms and prevention. This work covers demographics ranging from community to elite sport populations.
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Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science and Director of Academic Program, School of Health Sciences.
Peter’s research experience and interests are primarily focussed on the Biomechanics of human movement, injury mechanisms and prevention. This work covers demographics ranging from community to elite sport populations.
Rachel Morley
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Senior Lecturer in Communication, Creative Industries & Screen Media, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Humanities and Communication Arts.
Rachel's research interests include literary and creative practice (with a particular interest in life-writing); narrative practice and community storytelling; digital media, memory and identity; and ageing, creativity and cognition.
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Senior Lecturer in Communication, Creative Industries & Screen Media, and Academic Program Advisor, School of Humanities and Communication Arts.
Rachel's research interests include literary and creative practice (with a particular interest in life-writing); narrative practice and community storytelling; digital media, memory and identity; and ageing, creativity and cognition.
Rhiannon White
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Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Rhiannon‘s research focuses on the relationships between specific physical activity domains (leisure-time, active transport, work-related physical activity, household physical activity, school sport, and physical education) and aspects of mental health and wellbeing.
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Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Rhiannon‘s research focuses on the relationships between specific physical activity domains (leisure-time, active transport, work-related physical activity, household physical activity, school sport, and physical education) and aspects of mental health and wellbeing.
Robert Gorkin
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Professor and Co-Director, Translational Health Research Institute.
A Biomedical Engineer, he is committed to transforming cutting-edge concepts into commercial success at the nexus of Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0. His research encompasses diverse areas, including IoT for wheelchair accessibility, smart materials for sexual health, VR for mental health, exoskeletons for rehabilitation, and AI/machine learning for community resource management.
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Professor and Co-Director, Translational Health Research Institute.
A Biomedical Engineer, he is committed to transforming cutting-edge concepts into commercial success at the nexus of Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0. His research encompasses diverse areas, including IoT for wheelchair accessibility, smart materials for sexual health, VR for mental health, exoskeletons for rehabilitation, and AI/machine learning for community resource management.
Sam Lane
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Associate Lecturer, School of Business.
Sam specialises in athlete wellbeing, mental health, and the social impact of sport. With a commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice, Sam collaborates with sporting organisations to enhance support for athletes and advance their community development initiatives.
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Associate Lecturer, School of Business.
Sam specialises in athlete wellbeing, mental health, and the social impact of sport. With a commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice, Sam collaborates with sporting organisations to enhance support for athletes and advance their community development initiatives.
Sandra Garrido
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Senior Research Fellow, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour & Development.
Sandra studies how arts-based interventions can affect our mood, emotions and wellbeing. Her research has provided the evidence for effective programs and tools that use music to improve mood and quality of life for young people with depression and older people with dementia.
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Senior Research Fellow, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour & Development.
Sandra studies how arts-based interventions can affect our mood, emotions and wellbeing. Her research has provided the evidence for effective programs and tools that use music to improve mood and quality of life for young people with depression and older people with dementia.
Sandro Sperandei
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Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute.
Sandro is an epidemiologist and statistician, with extensive experience in complex sampling, statistical models, and simulation, with an emphasis on physical activity, suicide prevention and marginalised and hard-to-reach populations. Dr Sandro has almost 20 years of experience in data analysis of databases of people living with HIV, drug users, transgender women, very low-income populations, diabetes, hypertension, suicide prevention, physical activity, and others.
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Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute.
Sandro is an epidemiologist and statistician, with extensive experience in complex sampling, statistical models, and simulation, with an emphasis on physical activity, suicide prevention and marginalised and hard-to-reach populations. Dr Sandro has almost 20 years of experience in data analysis of databases of people living with HIV, drug users, transgender women, very low-income populations, diabetes, hypertension, suicide prevention, physical activity, and others.
Sarah Kennedy
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Senior Lecturer in Sport, Health & Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Sarah’s research is focused on the design, delivery, scale-up, and evaluation of school-based physical activity interventions, spanning from primary to senior high school students, with particular interest in youth resistance training and physical activity promotion.
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Senior Lecturer in Sport, Health & Physical Education, School of Health Sciences.
Sarah’s research is focused on the design, delivery, scale-up, and evaluation of school-based physical activity interventions, spanning from primary to senior high school students, with particular interest in youth resistance training and physical activity promotion.
Tonia Gray
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Professor and Senior Researcher in the Centre for Educational Research, School of Education.
With a Masters in Community Health and a PhD in Education, Tonia’s transdisciplinary research explores the intersection of outdoor experiential education, human-nature relationships, gender and health/wellbeing.
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Professor and Senior Researcher in the Centre for Educational Research, School of Education.
With a Masters in Community Health and a PhD in Education, Tonia’s transdisciplinary research explores the intersection of outdoor experiential education, human-nature relationships, gender and health/wellbeing.
