Arianne Reis

Associate Professor Arianne Reis is a faculty member in the Department of Leisure and Recreation Studies at Western Sydney University's School of Health Sciences and an active researcher within the Translational Health Research Institute (THRI). With over a decade of practical experience as a physical education teacher and sports coach in Rio de Janeiro's disadvantaged communities, she brings grounded expertise to her academic work focused on vulnerable populations.

Her educational trajectory includes a PhD from the University of Otago (New Zealand) specializing in outdoor recreation through leisure studies and environmental philosophy frameworks. This foundation informs her interdisciplinary research approach bridging theory and community practice.

Professor Reis's research program centers on critical health equity issues:

• Leisure-based interventions for mental health improvement
• Social justice frameworks in community recreation
• Digital health literacy development for marginalized groups
• Program evaluation methodologies for community organizations
• Disadvantage reduction through physical activity participation

She has demonstrated significant research leadership by securing over $1 million in competitive grants during the past five years, most notably directing the Commonwealth-funded 'Young Well Beings' project targeting young mothers' mental health. Her work consistently prioritizes co-design with end-users and persons with lived experience to ensure community relevance.

Based at Campbelltown campus (Building 24), she maintains active community partnerships while contributing to academic discourse through her research on health disparities affecting CALD communities, refugees, and low-income populations. Her contact details include email A.Reis@westernsydney.edu.au and telephone +61 2 4620 3136.