معرفی
Professor Samantha Fawkner holds the Personal Chair of Health and Wellbeing at the Moray House School of Education and Sport (University of Edinburgh). She is affiliated with the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (ISPEHS) and the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC). Her roles include Deputy Head (Students) until 2024, Interim Head (Feb-Sept 2024), and former Deputy Director of ISPEHS. She leads research on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and health interventions for young people, with a focus on adolescent girls and university populations.
Education
- PhD in Paediatric Exercise Physiology (University of Exeter, 2002)
- BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (University of Exeter, 1999)
- PGCert in Academic Practice (Heriot Watt University, 2004)
Research Focus
Her work integrates mixed-methods research to design interventions targeting sedentary behavior reduction, digital health applications, and promoting physical activity in schools and universities. Key interests include standing desks in classrooms, wearable health monitoring in education, and walking/yoga programs for adolescents. She investigates how universities can cultivate healthy habits during transitional life stages.
Grants & Collaborations
- UKRI Knowledge Transfer Partnership (2023-2026): Teens, Trails And Tech
- ESRC grant (2020): Taking Datafit into the classroom
- Multiple projects with Paths for All, Hibernian Community Foundation, and West Lothian Health Partnerships
Teaching & Supervision
Co-director of MSc Physical Activity for Health and BMedSci programs. Supervises five current PhD students exploring topics like classroom interventions, yoga in adolescents, and autism-friendly physical activity. Previously supervised 8 PhD graduates including studies on active gaming, walking groups, and 3D human modeling.
Affiliations
- Level 3 accredited anthropometrist (International Society for Kinanthropometry, 2005–present)
- Member of ISPEHS Leadership Team
