Associate Professor Janni Leung
Associate Professor

Janni Leung

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32526

Background

A/Prof Janni Leung (PhD) is an NHMRC Development Fellow at National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (NCYSUR) at The University of Queensland. Their program of research includes investigating the epidemiology of substance use and mental health because they are both major public health issues that commonly occur together. This research program had made paradigm-changing development through 100+ articles, which have recognised impact (15,000+ cites, 30% output in the top 1% citation percentile). Many of their work involves conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and applying statistical models to epidemiological data on addiction and mental health issues to better understand their impacts on populations. Her work is used to inform policies on how to reduce the disease burden caused by addiction and mental health problems in Australia and overseas. Janni is committed to conducting high-quality rigorous research to generate empirical epidemiological evidence to inform decisions to prevent addiction-related harms in the population.

Teaching and supervision: They have qualifications and training in public health, sociology, and psychology. In addition, they have strong research and teaching experience in epidemiology and biostatistics. Janni has worked with a range of students from diverse demographic and cultural backgrounds, including mature-aged students and students with family responsibilities. She currently has a topic available for a self-motivated student interested in addiction research. Janni’s current research focus is on the epidemiology and disease burden associated with mental and substance use disorders across the globe.

Consultation: Janni is available for private consultation and workshop presentations on request for various research methodological and statistical topics, e.g. systematic reviews and meta-analysis, questionnaire and survey designs, cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Where can you find Janni: Janni is based at the UQ St Lucia campus with regular visits to the Long Pocket and Herston campuses. You may also catch Janni at the APSAD conference.

Availability

Associate Professor Janni Leung is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Epidemiology Health Sciences Psychology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Substance use, substance abuse, and substance dependence

  • Mental health and mental disorders

  • Epidemiology, public health

  • Burden of disease

  • Higher education

Search Professor Janni Leung’s works on UQ eSpace

302 works between 2010 and 2025
All (302) Journal Article (233) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (62) Other Outputs (6)

141 - 160 of 302 works

2021

Journal Article

Reactions on Twitter towards Australia's proposed import restriction on nicotine vaping products: a thematic analysis

Sun, Tianze, Lim, Carmen C.W., Gartner, Coral, Connor, Jason P., Hall, Wayne D., Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel and Chan, Gary C.K. (2021). Reactions on Twitter towards Australia's proposed import restriction on nicotine vaping products: a thematic analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 45 (6) 1753-6405.13143, 1-3. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13143

Reactions on Twitter towards Australia's proposed import restriction on nicotine vaping products: a thematic analysis

2021

Journal Article

Treatment trajectories for alcohol use disorder: Where is the gap?

Mekonen, Tesfa, Leung, Janni, Chan, Gary C. K., Hides, Leanne and Connor, Jason P. (2021). Treatment trajectories for alcohol use disorder: Where is the gap?. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 45 (8), 1560-1562. doi: 10.1111/acer.14660

Treatment trajectories for alcohol use disorder: Where is the gap?

2021

Journal Article

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and network meta-analysis of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation

Chan, Gary C. K., Stjepanović, Daniel, Lim, Carmen, Sun, Tianze, Shanmuga Anandan, Aathavan, Connor, Jason P., Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne D. and Leung, Janni (2021). A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and network meta-analysis of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Addictive Behaviors, 119 106912, 106912. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106912

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and network meta-analysis of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation

2021

Journal Article

Clinical correlates and outcomes associated with pregabalin use among people prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: a five-year prospective cohort study

Nielsen, Suzanne, Gisev, Natasa, Leung, Janni, Clare, Philip, Bruno, Raimondo, Lintzeris, Nicholas, Larance, Briony, Blyth, Fiona, Hall, Wayne, Cohen, Milton, Degenhardt, Louisa, Farrell, Michael and Campbell, Gabrielle (2021). Clinical correlates and outcomes associated with pregabalin use among people prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: a five-year prospective cohort study. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 87 (8), 3092-3104. doi: 10.1111/bcp.14715

Clinical correlates and outcomes associated with pregabalin use among people prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: a five-year prospective cohort study

2021

Journal Article

Public health impacts to date of the legalisation of medical and recreational cannabis use in the USA

Chiu, Vivian, Leung, Janni, Hall, Wayne, Stjepanović, Daniel and Degenhardt, Louisa (2021). Public health impacts to date of the legalisation of medical and recreational cannabis use in the USA. Neuropharmacology, 193 108610, 108610. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108610

Public health impacts to date of the legalisation of medical and recreational cannabis use in the USA

2021

Journal Article

Cross-national study of worrying, loneliness, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison between individuals with and without infection in the family

Bonsaksen, Tore, Leung, Janni, Schoultz, Mariyana, Thygesen, Hilde, Price, Daicia, Ruffolo, Mary and Geirdal, Amy Østertun (2021). Cross-national study of worrying, loneliness, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison between individuals with and without infection in the family. Healthcare, 9 (7) 903, 903. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9070903

Cross-national study of worrying, loneliness, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison between individuals with and without infection in the family

2021

Journal Article

Loneliness and its association with social media use during the COVID-19 outbreak

Bonsaksen, Tore, Ruffolo, Mary, Leung, Janni, Price, Daicia, Thygesen, Hilde, Schoultz, Mariyana and Geirdal, Amy Østertun (2021). Loneliness and its association with social media use during the COVID-19 outbreak. Social Media and Society, 7 (3), 1-10. doi: 10.1177/20563051211033821

Loneliness and its association with social media use during the COVID-19 outbreak

2021

Journal Article

Mental health, information and being connected: qualitative experiences of social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic from a trans-national sample

Schoultz, Mariyana, Leung, Janni, Bonsaksen, Tore, Ruffolo, Mary, Thygesen, Hilde, Price, Daicia and Geirdal, Amy Østertun (2021). Mental health, information and being connected: qualitative experiences of social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic from a trans-national sample. Healthcare, 9 (6) 735, 735. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9060735

Mental health, information and being connected: qualitative experiences of social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic from a trans-national sample

2021

Journal Article

Video-based communication and its association with loneliness, mental health and quality of life among older people during the COVID-19 outbreak

Bonsaksen, Tore, Thygesen, Hilde, Leung, Janni, Ruffolo, Mary, Schoultz, Mariyana, Price, Daicia and Østertun Geirdal, Amy (2021). Video-based communication and its association with loneliness, mental health and quality of life among older people during the COVID-19 outbreak. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (12) 6284, 6284. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18126284

Video-based communication and its association with loneliness, mental health and quality of life among older people during the COVID-19 outbreak

2021

Journal Article

The significance of demographic variables on psychosocial health from the early stage and nine months after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. A cross-national study

Geirdal, Amy K. Østertun, Price, Daicia, Schoultz, Mariyana, Thygesen, Hilde, Ruffolo, Mary, Leung, Janni and Bonsaksen, Tore (2021). The significance of demographic variables on psychosocial health from the early stage and nine months after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. A cross-national study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (8) 4345, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084345

The significance of demographic variables on psychosocial health from the early stage and nine months after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. A cross-national study

2021

Journal Article

Brief psychological interventions for reducing prescription opioid use, related harm and pain intensity in patients with chronic pain: a systematic review and assessment of patient interest

Elphinston, Rachel A., Sterling, Michele, Leung, Janni, Gray, Paul D., Requena, Simone Scotti and Connor, Jason P (2021). Brief psychological interventions for reducing prescription opioid use, related harm and pain intensity in patients with chronic pain: a systematic review and assessment of patient interest. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 37 (4), 270-280. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000908

Brief psychological interventions for reducing prescription opioid use, related harm and pain intensity in patients with chronic pain: a systematic review and assessment of patient interest

2021

Journal Article

The new frontier of esports and gaming: a scoping meta-review of health impacts and research agenda

Kelly, Sarah and Leung, Janni (2021). The new frontier of esports and gaming: a scoping meta-review of health impacts and research agenda. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3, 640362. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.640362

The new frontier of esports and gaming: a scoping meta-review of health impacts and research agenda

2021

Journal Article

Loneliness and its associated factors nine months after the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-national study

Bonsaksen, Tore, Schoultz, Mariyana, Thygesen, Hilde, Ruffolo, Mary, Price, Daicia, Leung, Janni and Geirdal, Amy Østertun (2021). Loneliness and its associated factors nine months after the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-national study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (6) 2841, 1-1. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18062841

Loneliness and its associated factors nine months after the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-national study

2021

Journal Article

Mental health, quality of life, wellbeing, loneliness and use of social media in a time of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-country comparative study

Geirdal, Amy Østertun, Ruffolo, Mary, Leung, Janni, Thygesen, Hilde, Price, Daicia, Bonsaksen, Tore and Schoultz, Mariyana (2021). Mental health, quality of life, wellbeing, loneliness and use of social media in a time of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-country comparative study. Journal of Mental Health, 30 (2), 148-155. doi: 10.1080/09638237.2021.1875413

Mental health, quality of life, wellbeing, loneliness and use of social media in a time of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-country comparative study

2021

Journal Article

Personal correlates of support for medical and recreational cannabis legalization in Australia

Chiu, Vivian, Chan, Gary, Hall, Wayne, Hides, Leanne, Lim, Carmen and Leung, Janni (2021). Personal correlates of support for medical and recreational cannabis legalization in Australia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12 551661, 551661. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.551661

Personal correlates of support for medical and recreational cannabis legalization in Australia

2021

Journal Article

Do cannabis users reduce their THC dosages when using more potent cannabis products? A review

Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel, Dawson, Danielle and Hall, Wayne D. (2021). Do cannabis users reduce their THC dosages when using more potent cannabis products? A review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12 630602, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.630602

Do cannabis users reduce their THC dosages when using more potent cannabis products? A review

2021

Journal Article

Effect of income inequality, community infrastructure and individual stressors on adult depression

Fan, Vanessa Sha, Mahadevan, Renuka and Leung, Janni (2021). Effect of income inequality, community infrastructure and individual stressors on adult depression. Health Promotion International, 36 (1), 46-57. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaa036

Effect of income inequality, community infrastructure and individual stressors on adult depression

2021

Journal Article

Comorbidity between depressive symptoms and chronic conditions – findings from the Indonesia Family Life Survey

Leung, Janni, Gouda, Hebe, Chung, Jack Yiu Chak and Irmansyah, Irmansyah (2021). Comorbidity between depressive symptoms and chronic conditions – findings from the Indonesia Family Life Survey. Journal of Affective Disorders, 280 (Pt A), 236-240. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.11.007

Comorbidity between depressive symptoms and chronic conditions – findings from the Indonesia Family Life Survey

2021

Journal Article

Anxiety and panic buying behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic—a qualitative analysis of toilet paper hoarding contents on Twitter

Leung, Janni, Chung, Jack Yiu Chak, Tisdale, Calvert, Chiu, Vivian, Lim, Carmen C. W. and Chan, Gary (2021). Anxiety and panic buying behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic—a qualitative analysis of toilet paper hoarding contents on Twitter. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (3) 1127, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18031127

Anxiety and panic buying behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic—a qualitative analysis of toilet paper hoarding contents on Twitter

2021

Conference Publication

Parent-child connectedness and its association with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among Argentinian adolescents

Thompson, Kaiwen, Mekonen, Tesfa and Leung, Janni (2021). Parent-child connectedness and its association with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among Argentinian adolescents. The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Environmental Research and Public Health, Online, 11-25 January 2021. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/ecerph-3-09026

Parent-child connectedness and its association with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among Argentinian adolescents

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    Unclouding the future: Igniting change with an AI-powered social media campaign against youth vaping
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Developing and evaluating an AI-assisted health promotion campaign on social media to tackle the public health concerns of youth vaping
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    A new scalable eHealth approach to prevent e-cigarette use among adolescents: The OurFutures Vaping program (MRFF Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles Grant administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Reducing the impact and burden of substance use on mental health
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    UQ AWARE - Dr Janni Leung
    UQ Amplify Women's Academic Research Equity
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Establishing an International Consortium on video gaming addiction
    U21 Health Sciences Group International Projects Fund
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Review of alcohol and other drugs program
    Queensland Department of Education
    Open grant
  • 2023
    How can we minimise the adolescent uptake of vaping and related social and health harm?
    Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    How much burden from depression can be alleviated if Australians reduce their alcohol consumption?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Quantifying the impact and burden of substance use disorders on mental health
    UQ Development Fellowships
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Janni Leung is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Available Dissertation and Thesis Topics (No International Scholarships Available)

    How to apply – Send your CV, academic transcript, and cover letter to <j.leung1@uq.edu.au>

    1. Epidemiology of mental and substance use disorders
    2. Harmful alcohol use and alcohol use disorders
    3. Video gaming addiction in youth and across different population groups
    4. Smoking in South-East Asia
    5. Substance use treatment service use
    6. Cost-effectiveness of addiction interventions

    *Propose your own topics. Research projects would be suitable to those:

    • Highly motivated, proactive, and self-directed
    • Strong written and oral communication skills
    • Has completed or is enrolled to complete the UQ library workshop on systematic reviews and database searching
    • Able to travel to St Lucia, The University of Queensland

  • Areas of RHD supervision

    • Psychiatry epidemiology
    • Alcohol use disorders
    • Alcohol drinking behavior
    • Tobacco smoking
    • Gaming addiction
    • Video game play behaviours
    • Injecting drug use
    • Person who inject drugs
    • Substance use
    • Substance dependence
    • Substance abuse
    • Drug use disorders
    • Amphetamine / methamphetamine
    • Cocaine / Heroin
    • Marijuana / Cannabis
    • Psycho-stimulants
    • Mental health and mental disorders
    • Depression & anxiety
    • Public attitudes
    • Burden of disease
    • Treatment rates and treatment gaps
    • Risk factors and outcomes of substance use
    • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Janni Leung directly for media enquiries about:

  • Disease burden
  • Mental health
  • Substance abuse
  • Substance dependence
  • Substance use

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au