Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Overview
Dr George Thomas is a Post Doctoral Research Fellow in the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation at the University of Queensland and a member of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. George has a PhD in behavioural sciences and his research has focused on better understanding digital technology use among children and how such engagement impacts on their health, wellbeing, and development. He has worked in public health and behavioral sciences for over 10 years, starting with a government taskforce on Weight Management, providing healthy lifestyle programs for school children and families. He has taught research methods and public health to undergraduate paramedic and sport and exercise science students and received excellent student ratings. He has supervised over 10 student research projects. George is a passionate advocate for the promotion of healthy behaviours and is committed to translating evidence into community settings.
Research Interests
- Physical activity and health
- Measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour
- Screen use in children and adolescents
- Pragmatic evaluation of health promotion interventions
Research Impacts
George is an early career researcher and has published thirteen research papers (2018-present) indexed in Scopus, with 883 citations. One paper has a Relative Citation Index (RCI) of 40 (Human Movement and Sports Science) and the highest cited article published since 2017 in Psychology of Sport and Exercise. He has presented at several national and international conferences and received the Best Oral Presentation at the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Congress in 2020. He has completed reviews for peer-reviewed journals in fields related to psychology and public health (e.g., Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology). He has been an investigator on grants worth over $175,000, including $140,000 additional project funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, and others from the School of Allied Health at Curtin University.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Southern Queensland
- Master of Science, University of Bristol
- Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences (Hons), University of Gloucestershire
Publications
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Journal Article: An umbrella review of the benefits and risks associated with youths’ interactions with electronic screens
Sanders, Taren, Noetel, Michael, Parker, Philip, Del Pozo Cruz, Borja, Biddle, Stuart, Ronto, Rimante, Hulteen, Ryan, Parker, Rhiannon, Thomas, George, De Cocker, Katrien, Salmon, Jo, Hesketh, Kylie, Weeks, Nicole, Arnott, Hugh, Devine, Emma, Vasconcellos, Roberta, Pagano, Rebecca, Sherson, Jamie, Conigrave, James and Lonsdale, Chris (2023). An umbrella review of the benefits and risks associated with youths’ interactions with electronic screens. Nature Human Behaviour, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41562-023-01712-8
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Journal Article: A descriptive epidemiology of screen-based devices by children and adolescents: a scoping review of 130 surveillance studies since 2000
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien, Castro, Oscar and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (2020). A descriptive epidemiology of screen-based devices by children and adolescents: a scoping review of 130 surveillance studies since 2000. Child Indicators Research, 13 (3), 935-950. doi: 10.1007/s12187-019-09663-1
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Journal Article: Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: an updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality
Biddle, Stuart J. H., Ciaccioni, Simone, Thomas, George and Vergeer, Ineke (2019). Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: an updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 146-155. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.011
Available Projects
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Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
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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Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien, Castro, Oscar and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (2020). A descriptive epidemiology of screen-based devices by children and adolescents: a scoping review of 130 surveillance studies since 2000. Child Indicators Research, 13 (3), 935-950. doi: 10.1007/s12187-019-09663-1
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Biddle, Stuart J. H., Ciaccioni, Simone, Thomas, George and Vergeer, Ineke (2019). Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: an updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 146-155. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.011
Journal Article
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Sanders, Taren, Noetel, Michael, Parker, Philip, Del Pozo Cruz, Borja, Biddle, Stuart, Ronto, Rimante, Hulteen, Ryan, Parker, Rhiannon, Thomas, George, De Cocker, Katrien, Salmon, Jo, Hesketh, Kylie, Weeks, Nicole, Arnott, Hugh, Devine, Emma, Vasconcellos, Roberta, Pagano, Rebecca, Sherson, Jamie, Conigrave, James and Lonsdale, Chris (2023). An umbrella review of the benefits and risks associated with youths’ interactions with electronic screens. Nature Human Behaviour, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41562-023-01712-8
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Andriyani, Fitria Dwi, Biddle, Stuart J. H., Priambadha, Aprida Agung, Thomas, George and De Cocker, Katrien (2022). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of female adolescents in Indonesia: a multi-method study on duration, pattern and context. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 20 (2), 128-139. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.02.002
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Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien, Dwi Andriyani, Fitria, Booker, Bridget and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (2022). Using wearable cameras to categorize the type and context of screen-based behaviors among adolescents: observational study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 5 (1) e28208, e28208. doi: 10.2196/28208
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Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from a 4-year follow-up study
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien, Ireland, Michael J. and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (2020). Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from a 4-year follow-up study. Preventive Medicine, 141 106258. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106258
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Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: a qualitative study
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien and Biddle, Stuart J.H. (2020). Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: a qualitative study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 32 (S2), 238-247. doi: 10.1002/hpja.440
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Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien, Castro, Oscar and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (2020). A descriptive epidemiology of screen-based devices by children and adolescents: a scoping review of 130 surveillance studies since 2000. Child Indicators Research, 13 (3), 935-950. doi: 10.1007/s12187-019-09663-1
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Biddle, Stuart J. H., Ciaccioni, Simone, Thomas, George and Vergeer, Ineke (2019). Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: an updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 146-155. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.011
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Bennie, J. A., Thomas, G., Wiesner, G. H., van Uffelen, J. G.Z., Khan, A., Kolbe-Alexander, T., Vergeer, I. and Biddle, S. J.H. (2018). Australian fitness professionals’ level of interest in engaging with high health-risk population subgroups: findings from a national survey. Public Health, 160, 108-115. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.035
Conference Publication
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Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from 2010 to 2014
Thomas, G., Bennie, J., De Cocker, K., Sanders, T. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2020). Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from 2010 to 2014. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Online, 15-25 June 2020.
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Biddle, S. J. H., Ciaccioni, S., Thomas, G. and Vergeer, I. (2019). Physical activity and self-esteem outcomes in young people: what can we conclude from research syntheses?. Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine , Christchurch, New Zealand, 15-17 February 2019.
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Lonsdale, Chris, Biddle, Stuart, Parker, Phil, Salmon, Jo, Hesketh, Kylie, Thomas, George, Weeks, Nicole and Sanders, Taren (2018). Benefits and risks associated with children and adolescents' interactions with electronic screens: A synthesis of 474 systematic reviews. CHAMPAIGN: HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC.
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Physical activity and self-esteem in children and adolescents: update of review of reviews
Ciaccioni, S., Thomas, G., Vergeer, I. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2018). Physical activity and self-esteem in children and adolescents: update of review of reviews. European College of Sport Science , Dublin, Ireland, 4-7 July 2018.
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Thomas, G., Bennie, J., De Cocker, K. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2018). Screen time use among children and adolescents: methodology for a scoping review and preliminary findings. Exercise and Sports Science Australia: Research to Practice , Brisbane, Australia, 27-29 March 2018.
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Thomas, G., Bennie, J., De Cocker, K. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2018). Time-use in screen-based devices among children and adolescents: a systematic scoping review of large population-based studies published since 2000. International Society for Physical Activity and Health, London, United Kingdom, 15-17 October 2018. CHAMPAIGN: HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC.
Other Outputs
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Zabatiero, Juliana, Thomas, George and Straker, Leon (2022). Screen time. In Active Healthy Kids Australia (2022). Reboot! Reimagining Physically Active Lives: 2022 Australian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People. Melbourne, Australia: Active Health Kids Australia.
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
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.
