David Dunstan

Professor David Dunstan is a leading academic at Deakin University and Head of the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes within the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. He also leads the Physical Activity laboratory at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, focusing on the adverse health consequences of prolonged sitting and strategies to mitigate these risks through active interventions.

His research prioritizes understanding the detrimental effects of sedentary behavior on cardiometabolic biomarkers and premature mortality, particularly in adults with or at risk of chronic diseases. Key areas include workplace-based interventions to reduce sitting time, implementation of 'sit less and move more' strategies in healthcare settings, and experimental studies on postprandial glucose regulation.

His recent publications emphasize the role of interrupting sedentary time in improving cardiovascular health, type 2 diabetes management, and metabolic outcomes, with methodologies ranging from randomized controlled trials to epidemiological analyses.

• Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2018–2022)
• Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2007)
• NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (2015–2021)
• Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2011–2014)
• VicHealth Public Health Research Fellow (2006–2010)
• National Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant (2014)

As Chief Investigator on 18 nationally-funded and 11 international studies worth over $37 million, he has developed programs like Lift for Life, a community-based strength training initiative for diabetes prevention. He also serves as Vice-President of the Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity.

His work has informed global guidelines, including those from the UK Health Department, American College of Sports Medicine, and the Heart Foundation, and he has published over 340 peer-reviewed papers with a Scopus H-index of 82.