Rachel Cole

Dr. Rachel Cole is a Lecturer in Health Promotion at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), located on the Sunshine Coast campus. She holds academic qualifications including a PhD in Public Health (Qld), Master of Epidemiology (Qld), and undergraduate degrees in Public Health and Health Management Science. Her primary role combines teaching, research, and industry collaboration to promote healthy communities through systems-based approaches.

Dr. Cole's research focuses on urban and transport policy, epidemiological analysis of environmental health determinants, and the intersection of health equity with urban planning. She collaborates with the local Primary Health Network and Queensland Government to leverage data-driven strategies for population health improvement. Her expertise spans public health, behavioral epidemiology, and policy levers for active living.

In teaching, she instructs courses in public health, health promotion, and epidemiology, employing innovative pedagogies such as flipped classrooms, blended learning, and real-world case studies. Notable contributions include studies on short car trips, active transport disparities in regional cities, and social media's role in immunization decisions.

Her work emphasizes intersectoral collaboration and evidence-based practice, addressing challenges like sedentary behavior in university students and health-promoting urban design for aging populations. Dr. Cole's research outputs span peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, and program evaluations aimed at translating evidence into actionable health strategies.