Research Fellow
Overview
Dr Kathryn Fortnum is a Research Fellow at the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation, a collaboration between the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Queensland, and Health and Wellbeing Queensland. Her research speciality is on the role of physical activity in the management of chronic health conditions. Dr Fortnum is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and has a particular interest in children and youth, and mental health. Dr Fortnum has worked clinically in inpatient and community settings for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service WA, and supported children impacted by neurological disorders including spina bifida and cerebral palsy to engage in community-based physical programs.
Research Interests
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Physical activity and health
Utility of physical activity in the prevention and management of chronic health conditions across the lifespan - Mental health and mental illness
- Physical activity interventions for children and youth
- Physical literacy
Research Impacts
Dr Fortnum completed her PhD at the University of Western Australia. Her project centred on understanding the physical activity-related experiences of children with chronic and complex mental health disorders and using this information to design a physical activity-based program to meet children’s specific needs. The program was called, Fit for Play. Dr Fortnum integrated Fit for Play into an existing multidisciplinary model of care within a Tier 4, Government-funded, outpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and facilitated the creation of the first position for an Exercise Physiologist in CAMHS, WA. Following from the successful translation of Fit for Play into an outpatient service, Dr Fortnum supported the implementation of an Exercise Physiology-based service into the existing multi-disciplinary team on the inpatient Mental Health Unit at Perth Children’s Hospital, a role which she held for several years.
Publications
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Journal Article: Response to letter to the editor: Enhancing the discussion on physical fitness assessment in preschool children—A focus on the <scp>PREFIT</scp> battery
King‐Dowling, Sara, Fortnum, Kathryn, Kwan, Matthew Y. W. and Cairney, John (2023). Response to letter to the editor: Enhancing the discussion on physical fitness assessment in preschool children—A focus on the PREFIT battery. American Journal of Human Biology, 36 (2) e24017, e24017. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.24017
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Fortnum, K., Reid, S., Elliott, C., Furzer, B., Wong, J. and Jackson, B. (2022). Physical activity participation among children diagnosed with mental health disorders: a qualitative analysis of children’s and their guardian’s perspectives. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14 (5), 724-743. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2021.1961848
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Journal Article: The physical literacy of children with behavioural and emotional mental health disorders: a scoping review
Fortnum, Kathryn, Furzer, Bonnie, Reid, Siobhan, Jackson, Ben and Elliott, Catherine (2018). The physical literacy of children with behavioural and emotional mental health disorders: a scoping review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 15, 95-131. doi: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.10.001
Available Projects
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Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation - Multiple opportunities available
We currently have opportunities available for multiple higher degree research (HDR) students to join the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In 2022, UQ received foundation funding from Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) to co-fund the creation of the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In partnership with HWQld, HWCRI provides clinical and research expertise in in the fields of physical activity and nutrition with a population and preventative health focus, to inform HWQld’s program design, delivery and evaluation. HWCRI conducts innovative and novel high impact transdisciplinary research in community health and wellbeing across the lifecourse, to reduce health inequities and improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders. The UQ HWCRI aims to translate research and evaluation findings into concepts and products for population level, state-wide implementation; and to build and sustain capacity in health promotion expertise by providing ‘real world’ training opportunities for undergraduate, post-graduate and higher degree research (HDR) students and fellows.
Successful applicants will be part of the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences which is consistently ranked in the world’s Top 5 and is highly regarded nationally and internationally for its teaching, research and community outreach programs. The 2021 QS World Rankings by subject area ranked UQ first in Australia and second in the world in sports-related subjects. They will also be supported and conduct research in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) which is a Queensland Government prevention agency aimed at improving population health and reducing health inequities by reducing the burden of chronic disease across the state. The health and wellbeing of the next generation of Queensland children is a key focus for HWQld and offers a once in a life-time opportunity to change the lives of the next generation where every Queenslander can live their best life, regardless of where they live.
This opportunity would suit students with a background in allied health, health promotion, public health, health psychology, implementation science, or human movement studies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience working with industry stakeholders and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and behaviour change would be of benefit. First Nations applicants are particularly encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this exciting new research centre and engage with industry partners and government and specific programs of research can be tailored based on the applicant’s interest and previous experience and expertise.
Publications
Featured Publications
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Fortnum, K., Reid, S., Elliott, C., Furzer, B., Wong, J. and Jackson, B. (2022). Physical activity participation among children diagnosed with mental health disorders: a qualitative analysis of children’s and their guardian’s perspectives. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14 (5), 724-743. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2021.1961848
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Fortnum, Kathryn, Furzer, Bonnie, Reid, Siobhan, Jackson, Ben and Elliott, Catherine (2018). The physical literacy of children with behavioural and emotional mental health disorders: a scoping review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 15, 95-131. doi: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.10.001
Journal Article
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King‐Dowling, Sara, Fortnum, Kathryn, Kwan, Matthew Y. W. and Cairney, John (2023). Response to letter to the editor: Enhancing the discussion on physical fitness assessment in preschool children—A focus on the PREFIT battery. American Journal of Human Biology, 36 (2) e24017, e24017. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.24017
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King‐Dowling, Sara, Fortnum, Kathryn, Chirico, Daniele, Le, Tuyen, Kwan, Matthew Y. W., Timmons, Brian W. and Cairney, John (2023). Reliability of field‐ and laboratory‐based assessments of health‐related fitness in preschool‐aged children. American Journal of Human Biology, 36 (2) e23987, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23987
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Fortnum, K., Reid, S., Elliott, C., Furzer, B., Wong, J. and Jackson, B. (2022). Physical activity participation among children diagnosed with mental health disorders: a qualitative analysis of children’s and their guardian’s perspectives. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14 (5), 724-743. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2021.1961848
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Fortnum, Kathryn, Furzer, Bonnie, Reid, Siobhan, Jackson, Ben and Elliott, Catherine (2018). The physical literacy of children with behavioural and emotional mental health disorders: a scoping review. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 15, 95-131. doi: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.10.001
Conference Publication
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Fortnum, K. (2022). Let’s get physical! Facilitating positive physical activity experiences for children with mental health disorders. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference , Gold Coast, Australia, 28-30 March 2022.
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Fit for Play: integrating physical activity into children’s mental health recovery
Fortnum, K. (2020). Fit for Play: integrating physical activity into children’s mental health recovery. 2020 Child Health Symposium, Perth, Australia, 3-5 November 2020.
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Fortnum, K. and Reid, S. (2019). Fit for Play: Utilising physical literacy to improve outcomes for children with mental health disorders. International Physical Literacy Conference, Umea, Sweden, 11-13 September 2019.
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Fortnum, K. , Furzer, B. , Reid, S. , Jackson, B. and Elliott, C. (2018). The physical literacy of children with behavioural and emotional mental health disorders: a scoping review. Research to Practice , Brisbane, Australia, 27-29 March 2018.
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation - Multiple opportunities available
We currently have opportunities available for multiple higher degree research (HDR) students to join the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In 2022, UQ received foundation funding from Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) to co-fund the creation of the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In partnership with HWQld, HWCRI provides clinical and research expertise in in the fields of physical activity and nutrition with a population and preventative health focus, to inform HWQld’s program design, delivery and evaluation. HWCRI conducts innovative and novel high impact transdisciplinary research in community health and wellbeing across the lifecourse, to reduce health inequities and improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders. The UQ HWCRI aims to translate research and evaluation findings into concepts and products for population level, state-wide implementation; and to build and sustain capacity in health promotion expertise by providing ‘real world’ training opportunities for undergraduate, post-graduate and higher degree research (HDR) students and fellows.
Successful applicants will be part of the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences which is consistently ranked in the world’s Top 5 and is highly regarded nationally and internationally for its teaching, research and community outreach programs. The 2021 QS World Rankings by subject area ranked UQ first in Australia and second in the world in sports-related subjects. They will also be supported and conduct research in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) which is a Queensland Government prevention agency aimed at improving population health and reducing health inequities by reducing the burden of chronic disease across the state. The health and wellbeing of the next generation of Queensland children is a key focus for HWQld and offers a once in a life-time opportunity to change the lives of the next generation where every Queenslander can live their best life, regardless of where they live.
This opportunity would suit students with a background in allied health, health promotion, public health, health psychology, implementation science, or human movement studies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience working with industry stakeholders and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and behaviour change would be of benefit. First Nations applicants are particularly encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this exciting new research centre and engage with industry partners and government and specific programs of research can be tailored based on the applicant’s interest and previous experience and expertise.
