The Paediatric Healthy Start to Life Research Engagement Theme (RET) is composed of an interprofessional group of researchers and clinicians from Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech Pathology.

We seek collaborative research opportunities in areas that support everyday life of children, young people and their families. For example, school readiness and transition, family centred-practice, leisure participation, auditory functioning, communication and movement control. The age groups of children we work with are diverse. From infancy to post-school, our work reflects the dynamics of each life stage, ensuring that we address the unique developmental needs and interests of each stage while fostering inclusivity and support for every child. Our researchers work in partnership with national and international research and clinical communities.

Impact

The Paediatrics Health Start to Life RET works to advance the health, development, and well-being of children and young people across all stages of growth, from infancy to post-school transitions. Our primary focus is on enhancing child and family participation in school, at home, and during leisure activities through innovative, evidence-based interventions.

In partnership with national and international organisations, our projects target meaningful, family-centred outcomes that support children and youth with disabilities, illness, or injury to lead fulfilling lives. We emphasise the importance of accessible, sustainable interventions that are embedded in children's natural environments, supporting families to navigate developmental challenges effectively. We have a strong focus on family-centred care, directed at supporting and empowering families as key supports in children’s lives.

Child Development, Participation, and Inclusion in Everyday Life

Access to early developmental support and timely interventions for infants and children with neurodevelopmental challenges is critical to enhancing their participation in daily activities. Our research focuses on strategies to support the participation of children with physical, sensory, or developmental challenges in daily activities, school, sports, and leisure.

Early Intervention Family-Centred Practice and Engagement

This body of work centres on understanding and enhancing the vital role families play in supporting children’s well-being, resilience, and developmental outcomes. By co-designing and evaluating innovative screening, assessments, parent coaching, and early intervention approaches with families, clinical services, and community organisations, we aim to make intervention more accessible and effective, giving families the tools they need to support their child’s development.

Innovative Technologies in Assessment and Intervention

Our research group specialises in leveraging technology to advance the assessment, diagnosis, and delivery of therapeutic interventions for children with physical, sensory, or developmental challenges, with a particular focus on remote and underserved communities. Our work encompasses the use of telehealth platforms, advanced diagnostics such as Wideband Tympanometry, and digital tools to streamline access to essential services and enhance accuracy in clinical assessments.

Prevention and Health Promotion

We also understand the importance of prevention and promotion in paediatrics. Our research group focuses on collaborating with healthcare providers, educators, allied health professionals, and community organisations, to create a comprehensive approach that addresses the diverse needs of children and their families. A focus on interprofessional practice within the group fosters the sharing of knowledge and resources, and enables the development of research projects that promote healthy development and prevent potential health issues from arising.

Chair

Deputy Chairs

Academic staff

Honourary affiliates

Honourary A/Professor Leanne Johnston, Executive Director Allied Health, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health

HDR students

Candidate

Degree

Supervision

Project title/Description

Davina Lo

PhD

Monique Waite, Rebecca Armstrong, Tanya Rose

Exploring the impact of childhood aphasia on adolescents

Megan Gim

PhD

Rebecca Armstrong, Monique Waite, Rhonda Faragha

The influence of language on mathematics performance for Australian students in the early primary years

Emily Fagan

PhD

Nerina Scarinci, Monique Waite, Teresa Ching

Behaviour Management in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

Roisin Higgins

PhD

Wayne Wilson, Helen Gurteen, Harvey Dillon, Sharon Cameron

On the Diagnosis of Auditory Processing Disorder

Nicola Burn

PhD

Carlie DriscollWayne Wilson, Rachael Beswick, Leanne Johnston

Shared risk factors for childhood hearing and vision loss and predictors of dual sensory loss

Alison Collins

PhD

Carlie Driscoll, Rachael Beswick, Joseph Kei

Evaluating the strategies and outcomes of newborn hearing screening in Queensland

Carl Francia

PhD

Leanne Johnston, Professor John Fraser, Professor Rob Justo

 

Aisling Ryan

PhD

Leanne Johnston, Laura Miller, Tanya Rose

 

Ankita Surpal

MPhil

Leanne Johnston, Laura Brown, Elizabeth Hurrion

 

Emily Cross

PhD

Joseph Kei, Carlie Driscoll

Automated innovative diagnosis for otitis media with effusion in young children using wideband absorbance

Carolina Acuna

PhD

Jess Hill, Pam Meredith and Jackie Barfoot. 

Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy intervention using a sensory enriched and parent coaching approach with toddlers (18 to 42 months) with tactile defensiveness and their caregivers.

Lee Svensson

PhD

John Cairney, Michalis Stylianou, Jess Hill and Stewart Trost. 

Interventions to increase physical activity in children and youth with Autism

Karen Graham

PhD

Dr Georgina Clutterbuck, Associate Professor Leanne Johnston, Dr Katrina OstojicChildren with disabilities make a splash: Codesigning a pathway to true inclusion in swimming programs

Afra Islam

PhD

Georgina Clutterbuck, Chelsea Mobbs, Stewart Trost, Sarah MacIntyre

The SPORTY Project: Sport Priorities and Objectives for Research and Translation for youth with disability

Maria Yee

PhD

Leanne Johnston, Verity Pacey, Georgina Clutterbuck

Investigating the effects of dance-based interventions on young people with symptomatic generalised hypermobility

Jessica Thackeray

PhD

Dr Melanie Hoyle, Dr Sarah Reedman, Professor Jodie Copley

Codesign of an intervention framework for children with spinal disabilities, their families and health professionals to promote participation at home, school and in the community.

Anjana RajagopalPhDAssociate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan, Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards, Associate Professor Alina MorawskaA family-based intervention to promote healthy screen use in Australian adolescents.
Jermy PangPhDProfessor Nerina Scarinci, David Allen, Naomi ClarryPaediatric to Adult Hearing Healthcare Transition Experiences of Emerging Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Jennifer KeffordPhDDr Rebecca Packer, Dr Jeanne Marshall, Professor Liz WardFeeding characteristics and behaviours in young children with food allergies.
Md Mahmudul, SagarPhDAssociate Professor Asad Khan, Professor John Cairney, Dr. George ThomasSports for Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents.
Lisa GardenerPhDAssociate Professor Merrill Turpin, Dr Laura Desha, Professor Helen Bourke-TaylorAdolescent Perspectives of Sharing Responsibility for the Management of Type 1 Diabetes Management in Secondary School
Roisin HigginsPhDWayne Wilson, Helen Gurteen, Sharon Cameron, Harvey DillonOn the Diagnosis of Auditory Processing Disorder
Joseph VidaPhDGeorgina Clutterbuck, Merrill TurpinCo-creating inclusive walking and running activities alongside young people with disabilities and their families: Participatory Action Research in a regional Australian community.
  • Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
  • Hear and Say Centre
  • Northern Sydney Local Health District
  • BUSHkids
  • CanChild 
  • Holland Bloorview Kids Hospital 
  • Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais 
  • Macquarie University
  • The University of Melbourne

Enquiries

For all enquiries related to research in the School, contact the Senior Administration Officer (Research): research.shrs@uq.edu.au 

For all enquiries related to joining the Communication Research and Engagement Theme contact the chairs Dr Rebecca Armstrong, Associate Professor Joseph Kei and Dr Tomomi McAuliffe.

For all general current HDR student queries and enquiries related to applications contact the HDR Liaison Officer: hdr.shrs@enquire.uq.edu.au.

Apply for a HDR Program

  • Dr Rebecca Armstrong

    Lecturer in Speech Pathology
    School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    Affiliate of Parenting and Family Support Centre
    Parenting and Family Support Centre
  • Associate Professor Joseph Kei

    Associate Professor in Audiology
    School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    Affiliate of University of Queensland Centre for Hearing Research (CHEAR) & Affiliate of University of Queensland Centre for Hearing Research (CHEAR)
    Centre for Hearing Research
    Affiliate of Parenting and Family Support Centre
    Parenting and Family Support Centre
  • Dr Tomomi McAuliffe

    Lecturer
    School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    Affiliate of Parenting and Family Support Centre
    Parenting and Family Support Centre