Professor Luke Wolfenden

Professor Luke Wolfenden
Research Program:
HMRI Award for Mid Career Research
2019 HMRI Award for Mid Career Research
Project Grant
2017 Project Grant
Project Grant
2013 Project Grant
Project Grant
2012 Project Grant
HMRI Award for Early Career Research
2012 HMRI Award for Early Career Research
Project Grant
2011 Project Grant
Project Grant
2010 Project Grant
Project Grant
2010 Project Grant

Research Focus

My research focuses on preventing chronic disease like cardiovascular disease and cancer by encouraging children and adults to be active, eat healthily, to quit smoking and not to consume alcohol excessively. 

I develop and evaluate programs to addresses these health risks, as well as strategies to maximise implement effective programs in the community.

Why did you get into research?

Most death and disability in Australia is due to chronic disease. I wanted to conduct research to help people live healthy lives.

What is your dream for research?

I would like my research to support health promotion being considered important in all government polices - from local government and planning, to education, community services and health.

Biography

Professor Luke Wolfenden is a behavioural scientist. He completed his PhD at the University of Newcastle in 2006. Since this time he has pursued a career in applied public health research. His research seeks to reduce the burden of chronic disease in the community by testing the effectiveness of interventions to improve health behaviours (such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity and nutrition) and to facilitate the translation of effective health promotion program into practice. 

He has worked with internationally recognised research institutions such as the United Kingdom Cochrane Centre, and the Centre for Practice Changing Research at the University of Ottawa. Professor Wolfenden has undertaken consultancies for the World Health Organisation, Australian Federal Government and national non-government organisations including the Australian Drug Foundation.

Health interventions developed by Professor Wolfenden have been adopted and broadly and disseminated by the Australian government and non-government organisations. He has received international and national awards acknowledging the impact and significance of his research, including Early Career Awards from the International Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine, Australian National Preventive Health Agency and HMRI.

Future Focus

The future focus of Professor Wolfenden’s research is on developing the science of implementation to improve the uptake of evidence based chronic disease programs in community settings.

Specialised/ Technical Skills

  • Complex public health interventions
  • Randomised trials
  • Implementation and dissemination research and knowledge translation

Affiliations

  • HMRI: Public Health
  • PRC: Health Behaviour
  • Executive: International Society for Behavioral Medicine
  • Executive: International Union for Health Promotion and Education - South Western Pacific region
     

2019

Award for Mid Career Research - Luke Wolfenden
HMRI Award for Mid Career Research

2017

Impact of a uniform intervention on girl’s physical activity
Project Grant
Description:

Research indicates that many school-aged children, in particularly girls, are not sufficiently active. Girls are less active than boys with differences beginning from as young as 8 years. Improving physical activity, particularly among girls, has been identified as a public health priority.

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2013

Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend 

Description:

The project aims to reduce the number of disadvantaged adolescents across the Hunter New England region from taking up smoking and using alcohol and illict drugs.

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2012

Award for Early Career Research - Luke Wolfenden
HMRI Award for Early Career Research
Researchers:
Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

 John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend
 

2011

Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

 John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend
 

2010

Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures
Project Grant
Researchers:

John Wiggers, Elizabeth Campbell, Luke Wolfenden, Jennifer Bowman, Megan Fruend 

A randomised controlled trial of an intervention to increase child physical activity during attendance at childcare
Project Grant
Researchers: