Dr Joseph Scott is a Senior Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy and lead of secondary Health and Physical Education (HPE) at the University of Sunshine Coast. He is a registered teacher with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) and is a Fellow of the United Kingdom Higher Education Academy (HEA). Dr Scott is nationally recognised as a leader in the HPE discipline and has been invited to present keynote, symposium and paper presentations at national and international conferences in his field. He has held lead positions in the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) including state-level board and President roles and over his career has run professional learning for thousands of Australian HPE teachers.
Joseph is currently a national board member of the ACHPER Australian Health Promoting Schools Committee which partners field leaders and academics with state and territory government/public/state and independent schools to provide direction and support in innovating whole school health promotion strategies to enhance the social, physical and mental health of Australian children and adolescents.
Professional Memberships
- 2022-current. International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) World Congress Member.
- 2022-current. Surf Life Saving Australia, Alexandra Headland, Queensland, (Bronze Medallion Lifesaver)
- 2021-current. Registered Teacher, Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)
- 2021-current. Early and Mid-Career Career Academic Network (EMRN) Member, UniSC
- 2021-current: National Committee Member, Australian Health Promoting Schools Committee ACHPER National Inc.
- 2021-current: Australia Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Queensland (ACHPER QLD)
- 2018-2021. President, Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Western Australia (ACHPER WA)
Awards/Fellowships
- 2022. Certificate of recognition, HEA Mentor and Assessor, UniSC
- 2022. Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) National iAwards, Merit Awards Not-for-Profit and Community Solution of the Year, Melbourne, VIC
- 2022. Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) National iAwards, Finalist Government and Public Sector Solution of the Year, Melbourne, VIC
- 2022. INSITE Research and Innovation Project of the Year Award Winner (Industry), Sideffect Innovative ICT Awards, Innovating Government Category, 31st INSITE Awards, WAITTA, Perth, WA
- 2022. INSITE Merit Award Social Impact Category, Sideffect Innovative ICT Awards, 31st INSITE Awards, WAITTA, Perth, WA
- 2020. Nomination for best co-published paper with an ECU School of Education team, Inaugural Research Awards School of Education, Edith Cowan University
- 2020. Discipline Merit Award (Teaching and Research), School of Education, Edith Cowan University
- 2017. Award of Excellence Reviewer Recommendation, PhD Thesis, University of Newcastle
Professional Social Media
Recent National and International Conference presentations
- Milford, S., Vernon., L., Johnston, N., Scott, J. J., (2023). Transformational education for parents to mediate digital device practices amongst their children, Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress, Washington DC, United States of America (poster presentation)
- Scott, J. J., Johnston, R, Darby, J., Blane, S., Strickland, McNoe, B. (2022). Health and Physical Education Teachers vital role in skin cancer prevention: The need for global reform in preservice teacher programs, International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) World Congress, 15-18/06/2022, Gold Coast, Australia.
- Scott J. J., Johnston, R. S., Bear, N., Gregory, S., Blane, S., Strickland, M., Darby, J., & Gray, E. S. (2021). Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children, Protecting our young people. UNISC School of Education and Tertiary Access Research Seminar Series, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD.
- Scott J. J. Physical literacy in Health and Physical Education: A national focus. Curtin University Educational Research Conference 2020*, Curtin University, Perth, WA.
- Scott J. J. (2020). Connecting physical and mental health: supporting children and adolescents through COVID-19. ACHPER WA state conference 2020. Perth, WA.
- Scott J. J. (2020). Physical literacy in early childhood education settings. ACHPER WA Early Childhood conference 2020*. Perth, WA.
- Scott J. J. (2020). Physical literacy in Health and Physical Education in regional WA: approaches and support. ACHPER WA regional state conference* Broome, WA.
- Scott J. J. (2020). Protecting our kids: Targeting primary preservice teachers to improve school approaches to UV protection. National Preventative Health Conference 2020*, 13-15th May, Public Health Association of Australia, Perth, WA.
- Scott J. J. (2019). Physical activity that strengthens children’s muscles and bones. ACHPER WA State Conference, Perth, Australia.
- Scott, J. J., Gray, E., Darby, J., Blane, S., Strickland, M. (2019) Reducing children's ultraviolet radiation exposure and risk of developing skin cancer: Primary school teachers’ influential role to affect change. 14th Behavioural Research in Cancer Control Conference. Perth, Australia.
- Scott J. J. (2018). Developing physical literacy internationally: A contention between sporting based and movement education approaches. International Conference of Sport Science, Health in Elementary Education. Bandung, Indonesia
- Scott J. J. (2018). Physical literacy: Sporting- versus movement-based PE in primary schools: We are not sports coaches; we are health and physical education teachers! ACHPER WA State Conference, Perth, Australia. 26th Nov-28th Nov
- Scott, J. J., Hansen, V. Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., & Lubans, D. R (2015). Young Peoples' Perceptions of the Objective Physical Activity Monitoring Process: A Qualitative Exploration, Symposium presentation. 9th International Congress of Diet and Activity Methods. Brisbane, Australia.
- Scott, J. J., Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., Trost, S. G., & Lubans, D. R. (2014).Pedometer protocols for measuring physical activity: An examination of reactivity, tampering and perceptions among adolescents, 4th International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health. Sydney, Australia
Dr Scott is an established mid-career researcher with his work being nationally recognised and awarded. His PhD research focused on optimum protocols for physical activity measurement among adolescent populations and he is one of the few people in Australia with an expertise in assessing physical activity both subjectively (with self-report questionnaires and focus groups); and objectively with digital health technologies (including research-grade pedometers and accelerometers) for populations in free-living environments.
His program of research is grounded in answering this overarching research question:
- How can we design and effectively implement innovative strategies within systems, school and community settings to empower young people to lead healthy and active lifestyles and reduce their risks of developing chronic disease?
His program of research has three central foci that assist in answering this question.
- Preventing young people’s risk of developing cancer through innovative initial teacher education, advancing knowledge and teachers’ capacity in the HPE discipline.
- The development and evaluation of innovative physical and mental health promotion resources to support teachers to effectively deliver HPE curriculum in schools
- Accurate measurement of multiple health behaviours (physical, sleep, sedentary) to inform and evaluate future health promotion strategies for young people in school and community settings.
He has received over a million dollars of research funding as a Chief Investigator of which $709, 055 was National Health and Medical Research Council (NMHRC) research funding. He has published widely in his field in top-tier prestigious international journals. He is currently leading and collaborating on various state, national and international level projects focusing on physical and mental health promotion and education for young people with priority areas including: physical activity, cancer prevention, teacher education, screen usage, alcohol and other drug (AOD) harm minimisation, sleep and nutrition. Dr Scott is an accredited master’s and PhD supervisor and is supervising many students on projects related to these focus areas. He invites prospective HDR students to contact him via email if they are interested in masters or PhD supervision.
Research Grants
|
Grant/Project name |
Investigators |
Funding body & A$ value |
Year(s) |
Focus (of research grant) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cardiovascular risk in young adults: informing a co-designed lifestyle intervention delivered through learning management platforms |
Gallo, L, Askew, C. A., Jona, C., Metse, A. P., Wright, H., Wadsworth, D., Scott, J. J., |
UniSC School of Health collaboration grant, $10,000 |
2022-2023 |
Cardiovascular disease risk prevention in young adults |
|
Building capacity for innovative cross-disciplinary approaches to physical activity and movement assessment in health and education research at UniSC |
Scott J. J, Metse, A., Schaumberg, M., Askew, C., Goos, M., Thomas, G., Wadsworth, D. |
UniSC Grow funding, $49,709 |
2022 |
Cross-disciplinary physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviour and movement assessment research |
|
Integrating Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Techniques Targeting Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity into Standard Care for People with Sleep Disorders or Sleep Problems: Phase 1 Intervention Development |
Metse, A. P., Askew, C. A., Scott, J. J., Wright, H., Summers, M |
UniSC Launch partnership funding, $28,568 |
2022-2023 |
Diet, physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviour change in young adults |
|
Reducing young people’s risk of skin cancer through innovative targeted teacher education |
Scott, J. J. |
UniSC SPARK Funding, $4,624 |
2022-2023 |
Skin cancer risk prevention in young people |
|
Optimising teachers’ implementation of opportunities for adolescents to engage in muscle-strengthening physical activity consistent with national guidelines |
Lubans, D. R, McKay, H., Salmon, J., Smith, J., Morgan, P. J., Sutherland., R., Penney, D., Scott, J. J., Oldmeadow, C., Kennedy, S., Nathan, N., Pursey, K., Lawson, K |
NHMRC Category 1 funding, $709,054 |
2021-2024 |
Enhancing Australian HPE teachers’ ability to implement muscle strengthening physical activity programs in schools |
|
Implementation and pilot evaluation of the Sideffect alcohol and other drug education game |
Hopper, L., Mills, B., Nicolas, J., Scott J. J., Hansen S., Bright, S |
Sideffect Australia, $191,517 |
2021-2023 |
Alcohol and other drug harm minimisation in young people |
|
Initial teacher education specialisations in Australia: Graduates perceptions of outcome and impact |
Main, S., Paolino, A., Scott J. J., Sullivan, K., Boron, J., Byrne, M. |
Edith Cowan University, $5,000 |
2021 |
|
|
Physical literacy and policy alignment in sport and education in Australia |
Scott, J. J., Hill, S., Barwood, D., Penney, D., |
Edith Cowan University, Open access research grant $5,000 |
2020 |
Policy development in sport and Australian Curriculum for Health and Physical Education |
|
Investigating primary preservice teachers’ ultraviolet radiation awareness and perceived ability to teach sun safety |
Scott, J. J., Jonhston, R., Gray, E., Darby, J., Blane, S., Strickland, M. |
Edith Cowan University, Open access research grant, $5,000 |
2020 |
Skin cancer risk prevention in young people |
|
Protecting our kids: Targeting primary preservice teachers to improve school approaches to UV protection |
Scott, J. J., Jonhston, R., Gray, E., Darby, J., Blane, S., Strickland, M. |
Edith Cowan University, Strategic research travel grant, $3,000 |
2020 |
Skin cancer prevention in young people |
|
Physical literacy in Health and Physical Education: A national focus |
Scott, J. J., Hill, S., Barwood, D., Penney, D., |
Edith Cowan University strategic research funding $5,000 |
2019 |
Policy development in sport and Australian Curriculum for Health and Physical Education |
|
Healthy smartphone use for adolescents in Western Australia |
Johnson N., Costello, L., Scott, J. J., Metse, A., Darby J., Hawk, D |
Edith Cowan University strategic research funding $25,114 |
2019 |
Multi-media usage in young people |
|
Reducing children's risk of developing skin cancer: Strengthening the approach to sun protection in WA primary schools |
Scott, J. J., Gray, E., Darby, J., Blane, S., Strickland, M |
Edith Cowan University early career research grant $14,968
|
2019-2020 |
Skin cancer prevention in young people |
|
Assessment of physical activity in adolescents: protocols, compliance and participant perceptions |
Scott, J. J., Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., & Lubans, D. R. |
University of Newcastle, Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition $5,000 |
2011-2012 |
Physical activity measurement in young people |
Research areas
- Physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviour measurement and promotion
- Cancer risk prevention in children and adolescents
- Physical and mental health in children and adolescents
- Health and Physical Education (HPE): Curriculum, pedagogy & teacher education
Teaching areas
Publications
- Scott, J. J., Vernon, L., Metse, A. P., (2023). The International Framework for School Health Promotion: Supporting young people through, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Journal of School Health, http://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13369
- Metse, A. P., Eastwood, P., Ree, M., Lopresti, A., Scott, J. J., Bowman, J., (2023) Sleep Health of Young Adults in Western Australia and Associations with Physical and Mental Health: A Population-Level Cross-Sectional Study, Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100070
- Nicholas, J., Mills, B., Hansen, S., Bright, S. J., Scott J. J., Ridout, I., Watson, J., Boyd, H., Brook, L., Hopper, L. (2023). Sideffect GamePlan: Development of an alcohol and other drug serious game for high-school aged students using a systematic and user-centred iterative game design framework, Computers in Human Behaviour, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107774
- Main, S., Paolino, A., Scott J. J., Sullivan, K., Boron, J., Byrne, M. (2023). Initial teacher education specialisations in Australia: Graduates perceptions of outcome and impact. The Australian Educational Researcher. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-021-00496-y
- Scott, J. J., Johnston, R, Darby, J., Blane, S., Strickland, McNoe, B. (2022). A novel skin cancer prevention strategy: Participant perceptions of the preservice teacher sun safety intervention and experiences in Australian primary schools. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.638
- Milford, S., Vernon., L., Johnston, N., Scott, J. J. (2022). An Initial Investigation into Parental Perceptions Surrounding the Impact of Mobile Media Use on Child Behavior and Executive Functioning. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1691382
- Scott, J. J., Johnston, R. S., Bear, N., Gregory, S., Blane, S., Strickland, M., Darby, J., & Gray, E. S. (2021). Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 46(3). https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2021v46n3.4
- Scott, J. J., Hill, S., Barwood, D., Penney, D., (2021). Physical literacy and policy alignment in sport and education in Australia, European Physical Education Review. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X20947434
- Scott, J. J., Jonhston, R., Gray, E., Darby, J., Blane, S., Strickland, M. (2021). Investigating primary preservice teachers’ ultraviolet radiation awareness and perceived ability to teach sun safety, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.401
- Scott, J. J. (2019). Movement- versus sporting-based physical education in elementary schools: Does either ensure quality? UPI Indonesia: Mimbar Sekolah Dasar (Primary Teacher Education Journal). 6(2), 267-276. https://doi.org/17509/mimbar-sd.v6i2.17432
- Scott, J. J., Hansen, V. Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., & Lubans, D. R (2018). Young Peoples' Perceptions of the Objective Physical Activity Monitoring Process: A Qualitative Exploration, Health Education Journal. 77(1), 3-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896917734576
- Scott, J. J., (2017). Assessment of physical activity in adolescents: protocols, compliance and participants’ perceptions. Thesis by publication. NOVA Online, University of Newcastle (Five published peer-reviewed papers within thesis) *Examiner Recommendation for Award of Excellence
- Scott J. J. (2021). Pedometers for Measuring Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents, The Routledge International Handbook on Youth Physical Activity (Chapter 15). 315-329. Brusseau, S. Fairclough, and D.R. Lubans, Editors, New York. Routledge 10.4324/9781003026426
- Scott, J. J., Rowlands, A. V., Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., & Lubans, D. R (2017). Comparability and feasibility of wrist- and hip-worn accelerometers in free-living adolescents, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 20(12), 1101–1106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.04.017
- Scott, J. J., Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., & Lubans, D. R. (2015). Reliability and validity of a single-item physical activity measure for adolescents. Journal of Pediatric and Child Health, 51(8), 787-793. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12836
- Scott, J. J., Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., Trost, S. G., & Lubans, D. R. (2014). Adolescent pedometer protocols: examining reactivity, tampering and participants’ perceptions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(2), 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2013.815361
- Lubans, D. R., Plotnikoff, R. C., Miller, A., Scott, J. J., Thompson, D., & Tudor-Locke, C. (2014). Using pedometers for measuring and increasing physical activity in children and adolescents: the next step. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 9(6), 418-427. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827614537774
Non-Traditional Publications/Media Appearances
- Waking up to pandemic's fallout effects on kids, My weekly Preview (reach: 60,6077)
- The Worst Of The Pandemic Seems Over But The Kids Are Not Okay, Study Finds, Todays Chronic (reach: 20,476)
- Kids to feel Covid fallout ‘for years to come’, The Educator (reach: 22,000)
- The worst of the pandemic appears over but the kids are not okay, study finds, UniSC News [Media Release]
- New publication provides schools with an international framework to support the health and well-being, UniSC SETA News
- The worst of the pandemic seems over but the kids are not okay, Phys.Org Education News
- Radio, Ten News Central QLD and Wide Bay (Reach, 3,940)
- Radio, Ten News Townsville, (Reach 1,892)
- Radio, ABC Sunshine Coast (Reach, 19,600)
- Radio, Hit 101.9 FM
- Radio, Hit Darling Downs, (100.7 FM)
- Radio, Hit Gold Coast (90.9 FM)
- Radio, Triple M Townsville (102.3 FM)
- Radio, Triple M Gold Coast (92.5 FM)
- Radio, Triple M Fraser Coast (103.5 FM)
- Radio, Triple M Central Queensland (95.1 and 101.5 FM)
- Radio, Triple M (93.1 FM)
- Radio, Triple M Caines (103.1 FM)
- Radio, Triple M Mackay and Whitsundays (98.7 FM)
- Help is here! Help is here! A new well-being framework for schools and teachers to support young people after the pandemic? ACHPER Advocate, [in-press], (Reach: 14,000 HPE teachers)
- Sleep study paints troubling picture of poor sleeping patterns in young Australian adults, ABC News
- How do you sleep at night? The Caines Post (Reach: 56,000)
- Struggling to sleep, The Chronicle (Reach: 49,000)
- 1 in 4 young Australians aren’t satisfied with their sleep The Pharmacy Guild of Australia,
- Sleep deprived and struggling, Medical Forum
- Young West Aussies struggling with sleep as one in four report ‘very bad’ sleep, Mandurah Times
- What is in a good night's sleep? Researchers study the sleeping habits of young Australians, SBS News Podcast
- Are you getting enough sleep? Here's how much is recommended for your age, SBS News
- Eye-opening new research has revealed 60% of young Australians are struggling to get a good night's sleep, 7news Caines
- Study Shows Irregular Sleep Patterns and Dissatisfaction Among Young Australians, Medtigo,
- Young Australians are not satisfied with their sleep, Star Weekly,
- Sleep study paints troubling picture of poor sleeping patterns in young Australian adults, News Explore Network
- 1 in 4 young Australians aren’t satisfied with their sleep, UniSC News [Media Release],
- Youth not sleeping easy, Mandurah Coastal Times, (Reach: 66,000)
- Radio, ABC Sunshine Coast FM (Reach: 30,000)
- Radio, ABC Kimberley (Reach: 16,100)
- Radio, Channel 7 Townsville (Reach: 22,362)
- Radio, Channel 7 Caines (Reach: 19,601)
- Radio, Channel 7 Central Queensland (Reach: 8,262)
- Radio, Channel 7 Sunshine Coast (Reach: 19,126)
- Book review: The spectrum of teaching styles in Physical Education, The PE Scholar
- Winning - The Sideffect GamePlan research project, SETA News Digest
- Game-changing ECU education project honoured at national tech awards, Newsroom, ECU
- ECU launches study into Pandemic Impact on Children’s Wellbeing, ECU news
- Researchers helping teens stay active during isolation, UpdateED Magazine
- Climate Health Inquiry: Individual submission, Government of WA Department of Health
- Climate Health Inquiry: Group submission, Government of WA Department of Health
- Research raises fears new teachers are not adequately sun savvy, The West Australia
- Six in 10 pre-teachers lacking SunSmarts, Cancer Council Australia
Media commentary
Dr Scott’s research focuses on multifaceted approaches to promote the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. His specialist areas of knowledge include: physical activity; physical literacy; Physical Education (pedagogy and curriculum); teacher education, cancer prevention, mental health and nutrition education in young people.
Dr Scott’s research focuses on multifaceted approaches to promote the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. His specialist areas of knowledge include: physical activity; physical literacy; Physical Education (pedagogy and curriculum); teacher education, sun safety, mental health and nutrition education.