OR

Browse By

Dr Sjaan Gomersall

Senior Research Fellow

School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

Affliate Senior Lecturer

School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
s.gomersall1@uq.edu.au
+61 7 336 54528

Overview

Sjaan Gomersall is Associate Director and a Senior Research Fellow at the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation at School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland. Established in 2022, the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI) is a collaborative, co-funded research centre by The University of Queensland and Health and Wellbeing Queensland. The HWCRI combines world class research expertise in physical activity, nutrition and health at The University of Queensland, with the reach and capacity of Health and Wellbeing Queensland to integrate, deliver and evaluate evidence-based programs that provide scalable, equitable access to improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders (and beyond).

Dr Gomersall is an expert in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health. Her research has focused on understanding, measuring and influencing physical activity and sedentary behaviour using a variety of methods and with a range of populations, with a focus on adults and the prevention and management of chronic disease. Sjaan has a strong track record for multi-disciplinary collaborations and industry partnerships, with specific expertise in partnering with healthcare organisations to build capacity in research and physical activity behaviour change, to evaluate the impact of healthcare services and to co-design and test innovative solutions to gaps in service delivery. Dr Gomersall is a nationally and internally recognised leader in physical activity and health. She is the President-Elect of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health, Co-Lead for the Physical Activity in Healthcare Special Interest Group for the Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity, a Consultant for Physical Activity for the World Health Organisation and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Activity, Sedentary and Sleep Behaviours.

Research Interests

  • Physical activity and health
  • Measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour
  • Health and behaviour change in first year university students
  • Effectiveness of new generation eHealth trackers in improving physical activity behaviours

Research Impacts

Sjaan is an early-mid career researcher who has an outstanding track record relative to opportunity with an emerging international profile in physical activity, behaviour change and health research. Over 10% (3 articles) of her articles are in the top 5% of most-cited publications worldwide (field-weighted) (SciVal, May 2018). Sjaan has a field-weighted citation impact of 2.15 meaning that she is being cited 115% more than expected based on her field and has been cited in 17 different subject areas, indicating her impact beyond her immediate field (Scopus, May 2018). Her work has been cited in policy (French Physical Activity Guidelines 2016; Australian Report Card on Physical Activity 2014), patents (Apple Inc 2016) and has influenced practice through collaboration with community delivered exercise programs.

She is regularly invited to deliver local and national workshops and seminars on physical activity and health for health professionals, including physiotherapists, clinical exercise physiologists and exercise scientists. She has been invited to give a seminar for the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Queensland State Breakfast and a fully-funded, invited workshop at the 2019 APA conference, as well as seminars for (1) neurological, (2) cancer, lymphedema and palliative care, (3) occupational health and safety and (4) musculoskeletal special interest groups. These contributions highlight her ability to engage clinicians and her commitment to translating behaviour change science into clinical practice. Sjaan has been a board member for the International Society for Physical Activity and Health since 2016 and has served on organising and scientific committees for international physical activity and behaviour change conferences.

Sjaan has demonstrated leadership in the mentoring and career development of early career researchers. She established and currently leads the HaBS Faculty Early Career Executive, leads the ECR portfolio for the SHRS Research Committee and represents HaBS on the EMCR@UQ committee.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, S.Aust.

Publications

View all Publications

Grants

View all Grants

Supervision

View all Supervision

Available Projects

  • Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation - multiple opportunities available

    We currently have opportunities available for multiple higher degree research (HDR) students to join the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In 2022, UQ received foundation funding from Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) to co-fund the creation of the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In partnership with HWQld, HWCRI provides clinical and research expertise in in the fields of physical activity and nutrition with a population and preventative health focus, to inform HWQld’s program design, delivery and evaluation. HWCRI conducts innovative and novel high impact transdisciplinary research in community health and wellbeing across the lifecourse, to reduce health inequities and improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders. The UQ HWCRI aims to translate research and evaluation findings into concepts and products for population level, state-wide implementation; and to build and sustain capacity in health promotion expertise by providing ‘real world’ training opportunities for undergraduate, post-graduate and higher degree research (HDR) students and fellows.

    Successful applicants will be part of the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences which is consistently ranked in the world’s Top 5 and is highly regarded nationally and internationally for its teaching, research and community outreach programs. The 2021 QS World Rankings by subject area ranked UQ first in Australia and second in the world in sports-related subjects. They will also be supported and conduct research in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) which is a Queensland Government prevention agency aimed at improving population health and reducing health inequities by reducing the burden of chronic disease across the state. The health and wellbeing of the next generation of Queensland children is a key focus for HWQld and offers a once in a life-time opportunity to change the lives of the next generation where every Queenslander can live their best life, regardless of where they live.

    This opportunity would suit students with a background in allied health, health promotion, public health, health psychology, implementation science, or human movement studies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience working with industry stakeholders and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and behaviour change would be of benefit. First Nations applicants are particularly encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this exciting new research centre and engage with industry partners and government and specific programs of research can be tailored based on the applicant’s interest and previous experience and expertise.

  • Preventing diabetes through taking small steps for big changes

    Small Steps for Big Changes is a diabetes prevention healthy lifestyle program. Developed in Canada, our team has received CIHR-NHMRC grant funding to examine the adaption and implementation of the program into an Australian context with clinical and community partners. We are currently seeking PhD candidates to be involved in this exciting project. Successful candidates will work closely with a range of stakeholders, including consumers, practitioners, industry partners and academics.

    This unique opportunity would suit students with a background in allied health, health promotion, public health, health psychology, implementation science, or human movement studies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience working with industry stakeholders and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and behaviour change would be of benefit. First Nations applicants are particularly encouraged to apply.

    The Australian NHMRC investigator team includes Professor Genevieve Healy, Dr Ana Goode, Dr Sjaan Gomersall and Professor David Dunstan.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Book Chapter

  • Physical activity

    Coombes, J., Trost, S. and Gomersall, S. (2022). Physical activity. ESSA’s Student Manual for Health, Exercise and Sport Assessment. (pp. 1-25) edited by Jeff Coombes and Tina Skinner. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier.

  • Population measurement of physical activity among children aged under ten years

    Hardy, Louise L. and Gomersall, Sjaan R. (2021). Population measurement of physical activity among children aged under ten years. Physical activity and sport during the first ten years of life. (pp. 16-27) edited by Richard Bailey, Jennifer P. Agans, Jean Côté, Andy Daly-Smith and Phillip D. Tomporowski. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429352645-4

  • Physical activity and physical inactivity in the aetiology of obesity

    Gomersall, Sjaan R. and Brown, Wendy J. (2018). Physical activity and physical inactivity in the aetiology of obesity. Advanced nutrition and dietetics in obesity. (pp. 126-131) edited by Catherine Hankey and Kevin Whelan. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley and Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118857991

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

  • Using conversation analysis to understand and quantify allied health professionals' dietary behaviour change talk with adults living with Type 2 Diabetes

    Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Health Behaviours and Educational Outcomes among Australian University Students

    Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Movement behaviours of adults in the inpatient setting

    Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Fit4Study: A physical activity program to support mental well-being in university students

    Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Behaviour Change for Healthy Living - Implementation and evaluation of a health professional delivered physical activity intervention in older adults in a community health service

    Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Exploring the relationships between physical activity, screen time and dietary diversity with nutritional outcomes among adolescent girls in the northern region of Bangladesh

    Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Before-school physical activity programs and student outcomes

    Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

Completed Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation - multiple opportunities available

    We currently have opportunities available for multiple higher degree research (HDR) students to join the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In 2022, UQ received foundation funding from Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) to co-fund the creation of the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In partnership with HWQld, HWCRI provides clinical and research expertise in in the fields of physical activity and nutrition with a population and preventative health focus, to inform HWQld’s program design, delivery and evaluation. HWCRI conducts innovative and novel high impact transdisciplinary research in community health and wellbeing across the lifecourse, to reduce health inequities and improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders. The UQ HWCRI aims to translate research and evaluation findings into concepts and products for population level, state-wide implementation; and to build and sustain capacity in health promotion expertise by providing ‘real world’ training opportunities for undergraduate, post-graduate and higher degree research (HDR) students and fellows.

    Successful applicants will be part of the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences which is consistently ranked in the world’s Top 5 and is highly regarded nationally and internationally for its teaching, research and community outreach programs. The 2021 QS World Rankings by subject area ranked UQ first in Australia and second in the world in sports-related subjects. They will also be supported and conduct research in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) which is a Queensland Government prevention agency aimed at improving population health and reducing health inequities by reducing the burden of chronic disease across the state. The health and wellbeing of the next generation of Queensland children is a key focus for HWQld and offers a once in a life-time opportunity to change the lives of the next generation where every Queenslander can live their best life, regardless of where they live.

    This opportunity would suit students with a background in allied health, health promotion, public health, health psychology, implementation science, or human movement studies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience working with industry stakeholders and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and behaviour change would be of benefit. First Nations applicants are particularly encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this exciting new research centre and engage with industry partners and government and specific programs of research can be tailored based on the applicant’s interest and previous experience and expertise.

  • Preventing diabetes through taking small steps for big changes

    Small Steps for Big Changes is a diabetes prevention healthy lifestyle program. Developed in Canada, our team has received CIHR-NHMRC grant funding to examine the adaption and implementation of the program into an Australian context with clinical and community partners. We are currently seeking PhD candidates to be involved in this exciting project. Successful candidates will work closely with a range of stakeholders, including consumers, practitioners, industry partners and academics.

    This unique opportunity would suit students with a background in allied health, health promotion, public health, health psychology, implementation science, or human movement studies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience working with industry stakeholders and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and behaviour change would be of benefit. First Nations applicants are particularly encouraged to apply.

    The Australian NHMRC investigator team includes Professor Genevieve Healy, Dr Ana Goode, Dr Sjaan Gomersall and Professor David Dunstan.

This staff member is a UQ Expert for media in the following fields:

physical activity, activity trackers, university student health and wellbeing

They are happy to lend their expertise to your articles or broadcasts and share their research discoveries and insights with the community via media channels.

For additional assistance with story ideas, general advice and information or help with seeking further experts, please email the UQ Media Team or telephone (07) 3365 1120.

Links

ResearcherID: J-9665-2013

ORCID: 0000-0001-6808-0180

Scopus ID: 36518718000

Google Scholar ID: lYDWJawAAAAJ

Unit Links
Other Media
Social Media

Related Resources

Similar Staff
Researchers in Associated Units
Fields of Research