معرفی
Associate Professor Leanne Hassett is a prominent academic physiotherapist and mid-career researcher at the University of Sydney. She holds a joint appointment: 60% within the Sydney School of Health Sciences (Faculty of Medicine and Health) and 40% as a Senior Research Fellow leading the physical activity for physical disabilities research theme at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health. She is currently seconded (0.4FTE) to co-lead the Implementation Science Program within the NHMRC-accredited Sydney Health Partners Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre. She also holds an Honorary Senior Research Fellowship with South Western Sydney Local Health District. Her academic career builds on 15 years of clinical experience in brain injury rehabilitation. She received the University of Sydney Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Teaching in 2020.
Her primary research focus is on increasing physical activity in people living with disability and older adults, utilizing implementation science and hybrid trial designs. This work encompasses four interconnected streams: 1) Fitness and mobility training post-severe traumatic brain injury; 2) Designing/using technology to improve mobility and physical activity in rehabilitation; 3) Promoting and evaluating community-based physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities; 4) Training health professionals (especially physiotherapists) to promote physical activity within usual care; and 5) Implementing physical activity promotion within healthcare systems. Her research is characterized by a strong focus on translating evidence into practice.
Her extensive publication record primarily explores the efficacy and implementation of physical activity interventions, rehabilitation technologies (like the AMOUNT trial), and strategies for promoting activity in diverse populations (older adults, TBI survivors, stroke, Parkinson's). Recent work (2024-2025) emphasizes digital health implementation in real-world rehabilitation settings, clinician adoption of technology, economic evaluations, and systematic reviews on mobility interventions and sport/exercise benefits for older adults and people with disabilities. Common themes include implementation science, hybrid trials, technology usability, physical activity behavior change, and mobility outcomes across neurological and aged care contexts.
Scientific Awards & Recognition:
- Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Teaching (2020)
Research Leadership & Funding: A/Prof Hassett has been highly successful in securing competitive research funding, attracting over $4.6 million as a Chief Investigator in the past 5 years. Key grants include:
- NHMRC Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship (APP1168274)
- Two MRFF grants as CIA (APP2009099; APP1201086)
- NHMRC Partnership Grant as CIB (APP2011157)
- NHMRC-funded Activity and MObility UsiNg Technology (AMOUNT) rehabilitation trial (APP1063751)
- Recent grants include MRFF funding for implementing physical activity guidelines in TBI (2024) and Active Women over 50 in rural areas (2023).
Student Supervision & Teaching: She teaches within the neurology program in the Discipline of Physiotherapy, focusing on developing evidence-based, critical thinking physiotherapists passionate about disability care. She has a strong track record of supervision:
- Completed: 2 PhD, 3 Masters, 8 First-Class Honours (2 University Medals)
- Current: Primary supervisor for 3 PhD, 1 Masters, 3 Honours; Auxiliary supervisor for 2 PhD students
- Significant support for student scholarships (e.g., RTP), grants, and conference awards (e.g., Emerging Digital Health Research Award).
Labs & Teams: A/Prof Hassett is deeply integrated into key research entities:
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health (IMH): Senior Research Fellow, leads the physical activity for people with physical disabilities research theme.
- Sydney Health Partners Implementation Science Academy: Co-Lead, driving the implementation science program.
- BRIDGES: Member (implied by listed website).
- Charles Perkins Centre: Member, contributing to the Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease and Healthy Ageing themes.
- She leads and collaborates on large-scale trials like AMOUNT, ComeBACK, PROMOTE-PA, and TOP UP.
