Natalie Johnson

Dr. Natalie Johnson is a Senior Lecturer in Health Behaviour Sciences at the University of Newcastle's School of Medicine and Public Health. With over 25 years of academic experience, she specializes in public health research focusing on university student wellbeing, alcohol interventions, physical activity counseling, and chronic disease management.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Health Promotion from University of Newcastle (1996)
• Postgraduate qualifications in Health Promotion (1991)
• Bachelor of Education from University of Newcastle (1989)

Dr. Johnson's research spans multiple public health domains with particular emphasis on behavioral interventions. She has conducted NHMRC-funded randomized trials testing counseling interventions for physical activity and electronic screening for alcohol consumption. Her current research focuses on university student wellbeing, especially for HDR students. Her work bridges clinical practice and public health through innovative approaches to health behavior change.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on university student wellbeing, diabetes self-care in low-resource settings, and behavioral interventions for health promotion. Her work increasingly incorporates systematic reviews and mixed-methods approaches, with strong international collaborations particularly in Ghana for diabetes research.

Dr. Johnson has received several prestigious awards:

• Gladys M Brawn Career Development Fellowship (2016)
• Equity Research Fellowship (2007)
• NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (1996)

As an academic supervisor, Dr. Johnson currently oversees three PhD students and has completed supervision of one student. She serves as HDR Convenor (Candidature & Examinations) in her School. Her research has been supported by over $1.8 million in grants, including multiple NHMRC projects focusing on alcohol screening, physical activity counseling, and diabetes self-care in Ghana.

Dr. Johnson collaborates extensively through the Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour and maintains strong partnerships with national and international researchers, particularly in Ghana for diabetes research and with colleagues across Australian universities for alcohol and physical activity interventions.