
Overview
Background
My group works to understand and improve sleep for children and families. Sleep is a key ‘pillar of health’ alongside nutrition and activity. It is critical for healthy development, growth, learning, social and emotional functioning, and community participation.
I am the UQ Node Director for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (the Life Course Centre). The Life Course Centre is committed to understanding and overcoming the problems of disadvantage, and to helping improve the lives of disadvantaged children and families. The Centre brings together researchers across multiple disciplines in four leading Universities, and significant government and non-government agencies to address these questions.
I am also the UQ Node director for the ARC centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. The Digital Child aims to support children growing up in the rapidly changing digital world, and provide strong evidence and guidance for children, families, educators, government and other concerned with children’s wellbeing.
We collaborate with many other groups around broader issues of sleep and technology, sleep and the environment (including disasters), mental health and wellbeing, pain, disability, and new technologies and approaches. Our work has been supported by the ARC, NHMRC, the MRFF, the NIH, and the DSTG. We use a wide range of methods and measures, including direct physiological and behavioural measurement (inc. ECG, EEG, EMG, actigraphy, computerized tests, simulations, environmental monitoring etc.), quantitative methods (inc. experimental and secondary data approaches), and qualitative methods including co-design and co-conduct approaches.
My team has additional expertise in evaluation of health and other services for government and other agencies, the design of complex interventions, and community consultation and engagement.
Availability
- Professor Simon Smith is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Monash University
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Melbourne
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne
Works
Search Professor Simon Smith’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Large expert-curated database for benchmarking document similarity detection in biomedical literature search
Brown, Peter, Tan, Aik-Choon, El-Esawi, Mohamed A., Liehr, Thomas, Blanck, Oliver, Gladue, Douglas P., Almeida, Gabriel M. F., Cernava, Tomislav, Sorzano, Carlos O., Yeung, Andy W. K., Engel, Michael S., Chandrasekaran, Arun Richard, Muth, Thilo, Staege, Martin S., Daulatabad, Swapna V., Widera, Darius, Zhang, Junpeng, Meule, Adrian, Honjo, Ken, Pourret, Olivier, Yin, Cong-Cong, Zhang, Zhongheng, Cascella, Marco, Flegel, Willy A., Goodyear, Carl S., van Raaij, Mark J., Bukowy-Bieryllo, Zuzanna, Campana, Luca G., Kurniawan, Nicholas A. ... RELISH Consortium (2019). Large expert-curated database for benchmarking document similarity detection in biomedical literature search. Database-The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation, 2019 baz085, 1-67. doi: 10.1093/database/baz085
Featured
2018
Journal Article
Associations between neuropsychological, neurobehavioral and emotional functioning and either narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia in children and adolescents
Ludwig, Beris, Smith, Simon and Heussler, Helen (2018). Associations between neuropsychological, neurobehavioral and emotional functioning and either narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 14 (4), 661-674. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.7066
Featured
2017
Journal Article
A systematic review of psychological interventions for sleep and fatigue after mild traumatic brain injury
Sullivan, Karen A., Blaine, Hannah, Kaye, Sherrie-Anne, Theadom, Alice, Haden, Catherine and Smith, Simon S. (2017). A systematic review of psychological interventions for sleep and fatigue after mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 35 (2), 195-209. doi: 10.1089/neu.2016.4958
Featured
2016
Journal Article
Environmental light exposure is associated with increased body mass in children
Pattinson, Cassandra L., Allan, Alicia C., Staton, Sally L., Thorpe, Karen J. and Smith, Simon S. (2016). Environmental light exposure is associated with increased body mass in children. PLoS One, 11 (1) e0143578, e0143578. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143578
Featured
2015
Journal Article
Characterizing self-reported sleep disturbance after mild traumatic brain injury
Sullivan, Karen A., Edmed, Shannon L., Allan, Alicia C., Karlsson, Lina J. E. and Smith, Simon S. (2015). Characterizing self-reported sleep disturbance after mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 32 (7), 474-486. doi: 10.1089/neu.2013.3284
Featured
2012
Journal Article
An investigation of the relationship between subjective sleep quality, loneliness and mood in an Australian sample: can daily routine explain the links?
Smith, Simon Squire, Kozak, Nahum and Sullivan, Karen Anne (2012). An investigation of the relationship between subjective sleep quality, loneliness and mood in an Australian sample: can daily routine explain the links?. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 58 (2), 166-171. doi: 10.1177/0020764010387551
2025
Journal Article
Housing well-being and sleep in Australia
Edmed, Shannon L., Huda, M. Mamun, Alam, Ashraful, Pattinson, Cassandra L., Rossa, Kalina R., Soleimanloo, Shamsi Shekari and Smith, Simon S. (2025). Housing well-being and sleep in Australia. Sleep Health. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2025.02.001
2025
Journal Article
Sharper minds: feasibility and effectiveness of a mental health promotion package for university students targeting multiple health and self-care behaviours
Dingle, Genevieve A., Han, Rong, Huang, Kevin, Alhadad, Sakinah S.J., Beckman, Emma, Bentley, Sarah V., Edmed, Shannon, Gomersall, Sjaan R., Hides, Leanne, Lorimer, Nadine, Maccallum, Fiona, McKimmie, Blake M., Ng, Norman, Rossa, Kalina, Smith, Simon S., Walter, Zoe C., Williams, Elyse, Wright, Olivia R.L. and Tanksale, Radhika (2025). Sharper minds: feasibility and effectiveness of a mental health promotion package for university students targeting multiple health and self-care behaviours. Journal of Affective Disorders, 378, 271-280. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.011
2025
Journal Article
Predictive biomarkers of performance under stress: a two-phase study protocol to develop a wearable monitoring system
Flintoff, Jonathan M., Pattinson, Cassandra, Ahamed, Sarah, Ali, Shahnewaz, Bagley, Angus, Broszczak, Daniel, Crewther, Blair, de Waal, Louis, Edmed, Shannon L., Fernando, Tharindu, Fookes, Clinton, Frentiu, Francesca D., Hunt, Andrew P., Lipp, Ottmar V., McMaster, Ben, Mengersen, Kerrie, Ney, Luke, Oon, Senn L., Pandey, Ajay, Pandit, Parth, Peake, Jonathan M., Perera, Muthukuttige Madusha Nuwanthi, Perlo, Virginie, Punyadeera, Chamindie, Schmidt, Luke, Smith, Simon S., Spann, Kirsten, Stewart, Ian, Sullivan, Karen A. ... Parker, Tony J. (2025). Predictive biomarkers of performance under stress: a two-phase study protocol to develop a wearable monitoring system. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 11 (1) e002410, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002410
2024
Journal Article
From embodied abuse to mass disruption: generative, inter-reality threats in social, mixed-reality platforms
Baldry, Moya Kate, Happa, Jassim, Steed, Anthony, Smith, Simon and Glencross, Mashhuda (2024). From embodied abuse to mass disruption: generative, inter-reality threats in social, mixed-reality platforms. Digital Threats: Research and Practice, 5 (4) 38, 1-36. doi: 10.1145/3696015
2024
Journal Article
Using Psychophysiological Data to Facilitate Reflective Conversations with Children about their Player Experiences
MacKenzie, Janelle E., Klarkowski, Madison, Horton, Ella M., Theobald, Maryanne, Danby, Susan, Kervin, Lisa, Barrie, Lance, Amery, Philippa K., Andradi, Manesha, Smith, Simon S., Mandryk, Regan L. and Johnson, Daniel (2024). Using Psychophysiological Data to Facilitate Reflective Conversations with Children about their Player Experiences. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 8 (CHI PLAY) 347, 1-33. doi: 10.1145/3677112
2024
Conference Publication
Books, Bath, Bed and Beyond: The role of digital technology and family dynamics in the evening routines of primary school aged children
Hillier, E., Edmed, S., Rossa, K., Pattinson, C., MacKenzie, J. and Smith, S. (2024). Books, Bath, Bed and Beyond: The role of digital technology and family dynamics in the evening routines of primary school aged children. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.150
2024
Conference Publication
Exploring sleep in people experiencing homelessness: A scoping review
Edmed, S., de Waal, L., Rossa, K., Pattinson, C., Salom, C., Lorimer, N., Gadam, S. and Smith, S. (2024). Exploring sleep in people experiencing homelessness: A scoping review. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.201
2024
Journal Article
Should cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia be considered for preventing and managing chronic pain?
Klyne, David M., Smith, Simon S. and Hall, Michelle (2024). Should cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia be considered for preventing and managing chronic pain? . Sleep, 47 (10) zsae177. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsae177
2024
Conference Publication
The relationship between bedtime procrastination, habitual smartphone use, and sleep in young adults: Results from the Young Adult Health Study (YAHS)
Bild, E., Rossa, K., Edmed, S., Pattinson, C., Mann, D., Gadam, S., Srinivasan, A., Sullivan, K., Salmon, P. and Smith, S. (2024). The relationship between bedtime procrastination, habitual smartphone use, and sleep in young adults: Results from the Young Adult Health Study (YAHS). Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.151
2024
Conference Publication
The relationship between digital technology and sleep-wake behaviour in children aged 5-8 years
Pattinson, C., Edmed, S., Rossa, K., Mann, D., MacKenzie, J., de Waal, L. and Smith, S. (2024). The relationship between digital technology and sleep-wake behaviour in children aged 5-8 years. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.202
2024
Conference Publication
Sleep patterns and their associations with mental health and financial well-being in ride-hail drivers
Jaydarifard, S., Smith, S., Mann, D., Rossa, K. and Shekari Soleimanloo, S. (2024). Sleep patterns and their associations with mental health and financial well-being in ride-hail drivers. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.057
2024
Conference Publication
Sharper Minds Better Sleep: Results from a pilot brief intervention for improving sleep health in young adults
Rossa, K., Edmed, S., Lorimer, N. and Smith, S. (2024). Sharper Minds Better Sleep: Results from a pilot brief intervention for improving sleep health in young adults. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.091
2024
Conference Publication
Sleep in adults exposed to a major flooding event in Australia
Edmed, S., Rossa, K., Pattinson, C., Alam, M., Lorimer, N. and Smith, S. (2024). Sleep in adults exposed to a major flooding event in Australia. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.200
2024
Journal Article
Sleep deprivation and recovery: endurance racing as a novel model
Mann, Dwayne L., Pattinson, Cassandra L, Allan, Alicia, St Pierre, Liam, Staton, Sally, Thorpe, Karen, Rossa, Kalina and Smith, Simon S. (2024). Sleep deprivation and recovery: endurance racing as a novel model. European Journal of Sport Science, 24 (8), 1176-1185. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.12143
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Simon Smith is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
Master Philosophy
The impact of digital technology use on sleep and wellbeing in young children
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Return to safe driving after upper limb surgery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, Health, and Social Consequences of Precarious Employment.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Return to safe driving after upper limb surgery
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, Health, and Social Consequences of Precarious Employment.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kalina Rossa, Dr Dwayne Mann
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Heart Rate Variability in Fatigue Assessment: A Multimodal Approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo
-
Master Philosophy
The impact of digital technology use on sleep and wellbeing in young children
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Heart Rate Variability in Fatigue Assessment: A Multimodal Approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Cassandra Pattinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Signifiance of Nap Cessation for Children's Social-emotional Functioning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Rankin, Professor Karen Thorpe, Associate Professor Sally Staton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, Health, and Social Consequences of Precarious Employment.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
Master Philosophy
The 24 hour movement behaviours and the impact on children's developmental outcomes
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, cognition and cerebrovascular functioning across the lifespan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Jenna Taylor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep health promotion in Indigenous Australian communities: Untapped potential of Indigenous youth workers as 'Sleep Coaches'
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janin Chandra, Dr Ahmed Mehdi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Health and social impacts of precarious work: the role of sleep and fatigue.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep health promotion in Indigenous Australian communities: Untapped potential of Indigenous youth workers as 'Sleep Coaches'
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janin Chandra, Dr Ahmed Mehdi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, cognition and cerebrovascular functioning across the lifespan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Jenna Taylor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Disentangling the relationship between sleep, stress and pain.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Dr Manuela Besomi Molina, Dr David Klyne
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, cognition and cerebrovascular functioning across the lifespan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Jenna Taylor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Co-design of a Psychological Therapy for Hypersomnia: Feasibility, Acceptability and Preliminary Effectiveness
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shannon Edmed
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Developmental Significance of Sleep Transitions in Early Childhood
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Associate Professor Sally Staton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep health promotion in Indigenous Australian communities: Untapped potential of Indigenous youth workers as 'Sleep Coaches'
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Janin Chandra, Dr Ahmed Mehdi
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Dr Kalina Rossa, Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, Health, and Social Consequences of Precarious Employment.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Kalina Rossa, Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Significance of Nap Cessation for Children's Social-emotional Functioning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Rankin, Professor Karen Thorpe, Associate Professor Sally Staton
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
The Learning Implications for Children and Adolescents with Hypersomnolence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Honey Heussler
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Improving the management of sleep disorders in the community
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lisa Nissen
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the management of over the counter sleep requests in community pharmacy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lisa Nissen
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
The relationships between quality of life, psychopathology and group cognitive behavioural treatment outcome
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Tian Po Oei
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Using modifiable health beliefs to predict continuous positive airway pressure adherence: A motivational intervention improves adherence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Tian Po Oei
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Simon Smith directly for media enquiries about:
- Biological Rhythms
- Children's Health
- Digital Child
- Fatigue
- Sleep
- Sleep Disorders
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