Hayley Christian

Hayley Christian is a Professor at The University of Western Australia, holding positions as Senior Research Fellow at the UWA Medical School and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Population and Global Health. Her research focuses on improving children's physical activity, health, and well-being through multi-level interventions spanning child, family, social, and built environment domains.

• PhD in Public Health (with Distinction), The University of Western Australia
• Chief investigator on 186+ research outputs, 46 grants, and 6 active projects

Key research areas include:

• Physical activity and sedentary behavior in early childhood
• Health impacts of built environments
• Companion animals' role in social capital
• Nature contact benefits for development
• Policy implementation in childcare settings

Her recent publications examine trends in

• Beach environment impacts on physical activity
• Child socioemotional development
• Screen time reduction strategies
• Physical literacy programs
• Energy drink consumption patterns

Scientific accolades:

• 2023 School of Population and Global Health Mid-Career Research Award
• 2022 WA Science Awards Finalist
• 2020 WA Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year

She has received major grants including:

• National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowships (2020-2024)
• NHMRC equipment and partnership grants
• Healthway and MRFF intervention grants
• Worldwide Universities Network research funding

Hayley leads the PLAYCE (Play Spaces & Environments for Children's Physical Activity) program and serves as:

• Program Head, Healthy Behaviours and Environments, Telethon Kids Institute
• Team Head, Child Physical Activity, Telethon Kids Institute
• Co Director WA Node, ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families