What is\u00a0your\u00a0role and what does\u00a0your\u00a0work focus on?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nMy role at Flinders University is to facilitate the development of a research footprint in rural health, based primarily but not confined to the Renmark campus. Specifically, I will be mentoring early career academics in RRHSA as they navigate the challenges of embarking on a research career, as well as exploring connections with community organisations and entities to facilitate \u2018home grown\u2019 solutions to local health-related challenges, to ensure our research efforts have maximum relevance and impact.<\/p>\n
Where did you work and \/ or study before joining CMPH \/ Flinders?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nFrom 1975 to April 1993 I was a biology teacher at Prince Alfred College, interrupted only by a year on teacher exchange (1989) at Bedford School in England. From 1993 to 2021, I enjoyed a balanced academic role at the University of South Australia, where I taught extensively in the field of exercise physiology. My research has broadly explored associations of sociodemographic factors and health and health-related behaviours. Over the last 15 years I have focused on how rural Australians make choices that impact their lifestyle behaviours and utilisation of health services.<\/p>\n
What inspired you\u00a0to\u00a0pursue a career in\u00a0your\u00a0current field, and how has\u00a0your\u00a0passion evolved over time?<\/strong><\/p>\nGrowing up in the Riverland region of South Australia instilled in me a strong connection with rural communities. Through my overall research focus on health disadvantage, I have developed a strong interest in the relationships between place and wellbeing and the social determinants that mediate these associations and that offer opportunities for tailored intervention.<\/p>\n
Can you share a memorable experience or project from\u00a0your\u00a0career that had a significant impact on you or the community?<\/strong><\/p>\nA research highlight for me has been a Heart Foundation-funded project that investigated a novel way of promoting regular walking among rural adult South Australians. We found that if people are free to \u2018self-select\u2019 how vigorously they exercise, they are much more likely to become \u2018hooked\u2019 on the experience and maintain that activity over the longer term. The same study also identified that even low-intensity activity can result in substantial health benefits, thereby encouraging daily movement among people who might otherwise think that exercise is \u2018not for them.\u2019<\/p>\n
How do you like\u00a0to\u00a0relax or spend\u00a0your\u00a0spare time?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nMy spare time is spent chasing my two grandchildren, tinkering in my local community garden, walking my border collie and helping out in the kitchen at the Hutt Street Centre. In the summer months I enjoy my coaching role with the Barmera Pelicans Cricket Club!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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