Lisa BarnettView profile
Professor
Professor Lisa Barnett is a leading academic in Physical Activity and Health at Deakin University's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition within the Faculty of Health. She currently serves as Associate Head of School for Research and has held progressive academic positions since 2009, advancing from Lecturer to her current Professorship (2022-present). Her internationally recognized work focuses on developing measurement tools and interventions to improve physical literacy, with particular expertise in motor skills assessment. Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney Master of Public Health, University of New South Wales Graduate Certificate of Higher Education, Deakin University Bachelor of Social Science, Edith Cowan University Professor Barnett's research has established her as the number one researcher in the world in motor skills according to Expertscape. Her work bridges academic research with practical application through extensive industry partnerships and international collaborations. She developed the pictorial scale for Perceived Movement Skill Competence in 2016, now used in 35 countries, and co-led the development of the Australian Physical Literacy Definition and Framework in 2019. In 2021, she led development of an innovative pictorial tool to measure children's physical literacy for the Australian Sports Commission, requested by researchers from 22 countries across 17 language groups. Her research interests focus on Motor Skills, Physical Self-Perception, Physical Literacy, and Physical Activity measurement and intervention. Her recent publications demonstrate strong continuity in her research program, with 2025 articles focusing on physical literacy measurement tools, motor competence assessment, and interventions targeting children's physical activity. These works show increasing methodological sophistication with applications of artificial intelligence, longitudinal program evaluation, and digital health approaches. Number one researcher in the world in motor skills (Expertscape) Past President of the International Motor Development Research Consortium Co-leads the Physical Literacy Special Interest Group for the Asia Pacific Society of Physical Activity Professor Barnett has secured substantial research funding, including current grants such as 'Culturally adapting the Resistance Training for Teens movement intervention for Middle Eastern adolescent girls' and 'Implementation of a physical activity and physical literacy tool in schools.' She actively supervises doctoral students across diverse topics related to physical literacy, motor competence, and inclusive physical activity practices. Her leadership extends to directing research centers and contributing to national frameworks, demonstrating significant impact beyond traditional academic boundaries. She leads the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition research group and has been instrumental in developing international physical literacy standards and assessment tools that are transforming how children's movement skills are measured and developed worldwide.
