Kristi Heesch

Dr Kristi Heesch is a Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), within the School of Public Health & Social Work, Faculty of Health. She holds a DrPH in Public Health from the University of Texas and has held academic roles at QUT since 2010, previously serving as a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland and Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on physical activity promotion, particularly bicycle use for recreation and transport, and its health impacts on mid-to-older adults. She has led studies on e-bikes, cycling safety, and active transport policies, collaborating with government and transport agencies.

Dr Heesch’s teaching includes units on health education, behavior change, and public health evaluation at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, utilizing blended learning techniques. She has received awards such as the 2017 Ray James Memorial Award for health promotion research and the 2015 President’s Award for contributions to health promotion in Queensland. Her work spans international collaborations, including research in Chile and Indonesia, and she actively engages with professional organizations like the Australian Health Promotion Association.

Recent research has explored enablers of active commuting, e-bike incentives, and the health effects of air pollution on active mobility. She has secured grants from Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads, evaluating infrastructure projects like the Brisbane V1 cycling corridor. Dr Heesch is also involved in policy advocacy, serving on expert panels for workplace wellness and cycling safety.

• Education: BA (Government, Dartmouth College, 1988), MPH (University of Texas, 1997), DrPH (University of Texas, 2001)
• Key Awards: Ray James Memorial Award (2017), Excellence in Public Health Teaching (2015)
• Grants: Multiple projects funded by Queensland Transport, including e-bike policy evaluations and cycling safety studies

Her lab focuses on translating research into actionable policies, such as improving bicycle infrastructure and promoting sustainable transport to enhance public health outcomes.