I have been a lecturer at the University of South Australia since 1993, and Associate Professor since 2013. I teach in the sub-discipline of exercise physiology and have extensive experience in the area of physical activity measurement, using both objective measures, including pedometers and accelerometers, and self-report techniques.
I have published widely on sociodemographic influences on physical activity behaviours. In the last 10 years I have researched rural health determinants, including lifestyle behaviours and attitudes to accessing support from health services. My team has built and trialled a novel approach to rural health promotion (Rural Environments and Community Health: REACH) centered on individual level and community level strategies. Drawing upon expertise from several disciplines, including exercise physiology and psychology, sociology and social marketing, REACH aims to change the ‘choice architecture’ in rural communities towards ‘normalising’ protective health behaviours and therefore increasing uptake of, and adherence to improved lifestyle. Through the use of a mobile clinic and trained final year allied health students at the University of South Australia, REACH is designed to engage communities at the individual level by assessing participants’ ‘health age’ followed by motivational interviewing and follow-up text messaging to transition people towards intrinsically motivated regular physical activity. At the same time, ‘nudging’ strategies and ‘town hall’ workshops are used to shift community level attitudes and challenge myths and misconceptions about physical activity and exercise.