PhD Scholarship & Project at University of Auckland, School of Population Health

[LWilkinsonMeyers]

Clinical Trials Research Unit, School of Population Health, The
University of Auckland

PhD scholarship and project

Primary supervisor: Dr Ralph Maddison

Contact details: +64 9 9234767; r.mad...@ctru.auckland.ac.nz



A three-year scholarship (stipend plus fees) is available to undertake
PhDs in the two following areas:



Reducing sedentary behaviours in New Zealand children

Sedentary behaviours such as TV watching, computer use and video game
play are common activities in New Zealand children. Young people spend
approximately three hours per day in screen-based sedentary activities
and five hours per day in other non-screen sedentary behaviours. Such
behaviours are linked with adverse health outcomes such as overweight;
therefore public health strategies to reduce screen time and increase
physical activity are urgently needed. The aim of this work is to
explore family-based strategies to minimise screen time exposure and
optimise physical activity opportunities in New Zealand children.

Possible research areas include:

· Development and trialling of an intervention to reduce
sedentary behaviours and/or increase physical activity

· Examination of the determinants of sedentary behaviours

· Development and validation of questionnaire to assess
determinants of sedentary behaviours



Skills/qualifications necessary:

· Undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in psychology,
sport and exercise science or health-related field and/or appropriate
work experience

· A qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) would be an
advantage



Interested students should contact Dr Ralph Maddison with their CV,
academic transcript, and 500 words on why they would like to undertake
a PhD in this area.





Innovative approaches to improving cardiac rehabilitation in New
Zealand adults

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide and
in New Zealand. Cardiac rehabilitation is an essential component of
secondary prevention of CVD. Despite the documented benefits of
comprehensive and exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, provision is
inadequate in all countries in which it has been measured. The aim of
this work is to explore innovative approaches to improve the delivery
of cardiac rehabilitation among New Zealand adults.

Possible research areas include:

· To explore the role of technology (e.g., mobile phones,
internet) to improve delivery of cardiac rehabilitation

· To examine the effect of technology on adherence to cardiac
rehabilitation

· To determine the effect of improved adherence to cardiac
rehabilitation on cardiovascular outcomes

· Examination of facilitators and barriers associated with the
uptake of technologies such as mobile phone and internet



Skills/qualifications necessary:

· Undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in psychology,
sport and exercise science or health-related field and/or appropriate
work experience

· A qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) would be an
advantage



Interested students should contact Dr Ralph Maddison with their CV,
academic transcript, and 500 words on why they would like to undertake
a PhD in this area.







Ralph Maddison BHSc, MSc (Hons), PhD

Programme Leader Physical Activity

Clinical Trials Research Unit

University of Auckland

+64 9 3737599 ext 84767

www.ctru.auckland.ac.nz