Senior Research Officer, Activated OSHC
BHSc (Hons), PhD
Karen is a Senior Research Officer with the Child Physical Activity, Health and Development team, working on the Activated Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) project. This project focuses on the implementation of OSHC physical activity and screen time best practice guidelines, recently developed in close consultation with the OSHC sector and stakeholders. Resources and an accreditation package will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial involving 162 OSHC services across three states: South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales.
Karen’s key research interests include nutrition and physical activity, body image and the prevention of alcohol uptake by adolescents. Her past roles have included investigating diverse research areas including COVID-19; social and emotional wellbeing and the arts; and evaluation of a community-led initiative designed to improve outcomes in early childhood. Karen completed her PhD in 2018, designing, implementing and evaluating of the impact of a body image professional development program for Early Childhood Educators.
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Projects
The DETECT-Schools Study was launched in May 2020 as a partnership between the WA Government Departments of Education and Health with the Telethon Kids Institute.
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Publications
March 2024
Getting creative: Using art-based techniques to identify how arts organizations enhance young people’s well-being
Mental health concerns present significant challenges for Australian youth. Arts organizations play a key role in promoting preventative mental health strate-gies through enhancing the social and emotional well-being (SEWB) of youth. However, little is known about how the arts promote SEWB and the processes and contexts through which this occurs.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing School Attendance Youth Mental Health Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Mental health Physical activitySeptember 2023The queers are all right: a content analysis of LGBTQIA + mental health on TikTok
The formation of online communities instils a sense of connectedness which can ameliorate the mental health concerns that result from minority stressors for lesbian, gay, queer, intersex, asexual, and other diverse genders/sexualities (LGBTQIA+). The aim of this study was to explore how LGBTQIA + people communicate social and mental health concerns on TikTok.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Gender Diversity Youth Mental HealthDecember 2022Awake and Alert: Examining the Portrayal of Energy Drinks on TikTok
Energy drinks (EDs) are not recommended for minors' consumption due to a myriad of health risks, but marketing initiatives persist. This study explored the promotion of EDs on TikTok, a platform frequented by children and adolescents.
Published research Nutrition Child Disability Cardiometabolic Sunhealth Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Technology & Kids Food and Nutrition Child and adolescent healthJanuary 2022Acceptability of OP/Na swabbing for SARS-CoV-2: a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in Western Australian schools
When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, Governments responded with lockdown and isolation measures to combat viral spread, including the closure of many schools. More than a year later, widespread screening for SARS-CoV-2 is critical to allow schools and other institutions to remain open.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Infectious Diseases Human Development and Community Wellbeing School Attendance Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention COVID-19January 2022Western Australian adolescent emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been vast and are not limited to physical health. Many adolescents have experienced disruptions to daily life, including changes in their school routine and family’s financial or emotional security, potentially impacting their emotional wellbeing.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing School Attendance Youth Health Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and Development COVID-19February 2021DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools
Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Influenza Infectious Diseases Human Development and Community Wellbeing Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and Development -
Education and Qualifications
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Awards/Honours
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Active Collaborations