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
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
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
2024
Conference Publication
Eliciting stakeholder views on ethical, legal and social issues of genomics in the context of disability: a modified Delphi study
Faragher, R., Nankervis, K., Vassos, M., Boyle, F., Smith, S. and Kelly, J. (2024). Eliciting stakeholder views on ethical, legal and social issues of genomics in the context of disability: a modified Delphi study. 17th IASSIDD World Congress, Chicago, IL United States, 5 - 8 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/jir.13166
2024
Journal Article
Data from four consecutive cohorts of students in Australia (2019-2022) show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international university students' mental health
Dingle, Genevieve A., Han, Rong, Alhadad, Sakinah S. J., Beckman, Emma, Bentley, Sarah V., Gomersall, Sjaan R., Hides, Leanne, Maccallum, Fiona, McKimmie, Blake M., Rossa, Kalina, Smith, Simon S., Walter, Zoe C., Williams, Elyse and Wright, Olivia (2024). Data from four consecutive cohorts of students in Australia (2019-2022) show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international university students' mental health. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 58 (6), 528-536. doi: 10.1177/00048674241233111
2024
Journal Article
Heart rate variability as an indicator of fatigue: A structural equation model approach
Srinivasan, Arvind Gnani, Smith, Simon S., Pattinson, Cassandra L., Mann, Dwayne, Sullivan, Karen, Salmon, Paul and Soleimanloo, Shamsi Shekari (2024). Heart rate variability as an indicator of fatigue: A structural equation model approach. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 103, 420-429. doi: 10.1016/j.trf.2024.04.015
2024
Journal Article
Exploring the relationship between age at nap cessation and social-emotional functioning in children
Loeffler, Anna, Rankin, Peter, Smith, Simon S., Thorpe, Karen and Staton, Sally (2024). Exploring the relationship between age at nap cessation and social-emotional functioning in children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 45 (2), e150-e158. doi: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001259
2024
Journal Article
Reducing crash risk for young drivers: Protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to improve young driver sleep
Smith, Simon S., Rossa, Kalina R., Soleimanloo, Shamsi Shekari, Pattinson, Cassandra L., Mann, Dwayne L., Edmed, Shannon L., Salmon, Paul M. and Sullivan, Karen A. (2024). Reducing crash risk for young drivers: Protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to improve young driver sleep. Heliyon, 10 (5) e27066, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27066
2023
Journal Article
Sleep mediates the relationship between precarious employment and mental health
Jaydarifard, Saeed, Smith, Simon S., Rossa, Kalina R., Mann, Dwayne, Nikooharf Salehi, Elahe and Shekari Soleimanloo, Shamsi (2023). Sleep mediates the relationship between precarious employment and mental health. Sleep Medicine: X, 6 100092, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.sleepx.2023.100092
2023
Journal Article
Objective measurement of posture and movement in young children using wearable sensors and customised mathematical approaches: a systematic review
Hendry, Danica, Rohl, Andrew L., Rasmussen, Charlotte Lund, Zabatiero, Juliana, Cliff, Dylan P., Smith, Simon S., Mackenzie, Janelle, Pattinson, Cassandra L., Straker, Leon and Campbell, Amity (2023). Objective measurement of posture and movement in young children using wearable sensors and customised mathematical approaches: a systematic review. Sensors, 23 (24) 9661, 1-35. doi: 10.3390/s23249661
2023
Other Outputs
Understanding sleep routines: A novel mixed methods approach to understand promoters and barriers of healthy sleep
Rossa, Kalina, Pattinson, Cassandra L., Edmed, Shannon L., Coles, Laetitia, Allan, Alicia and Smith, Simon S. (2023). Understanding sleep routines: A novel mixed methods approach to understand promoters and barriers of healthy sleep. LCC Working Paper Series. 2023-21. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/e03665f
2023
Conference Publication
Exploring environmental light exposure in children: a novel pilot spectrometer study
Pattinson, C., Mann, D., McKenzie, J., Rossa, K., Edmed, S., Westwood, E. and Smith, S. (2023). Exploring environmental light exposure in children: a novel pilot spectrometer study. 2023 Sleep DownUnder, Adelaide, SA Australia, 8-11 November 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad035.059
2023
Journal Article
Questioning the effectiveness of behavioural sleep interventions for infants
Pattinson, Cassandra L., Edmed, Shannon, Smith, Simon S. and Douglas, Pamela S. (2023). Questioning the effectiveness of behavioural sleep interventions for infants. The Journal of Pediatrics, 261 113335, 113335. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.01.012
2023
Conference Publication
O047 Representations of sleep in social media: A Tik Tok case study
Voggenreiter, A, Rossa, K, Smith, S, Maravilla, J, Broccatelli, C and Pfeffer, J (2023). O047 Representations of sleep in social media: A Tik Tok case study. 2023 Sleep DownUnder: 34th annual scientific meeting of Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) & Australian and New Zealand Sleep Science Association (ANZSSA), Adelaide, SA Australia, 9 - 11 November 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad035.047
2023
Journal Article
P099 Use of Digital Technology During Child Bedtime Routines: A qualitative investigation
McKenzie, J, Pattinson, C., Rossa, K., Edmed, S., Loeffler, A and Smith, S. (2023). P099 Use of Digital Technology During Child Bedtime Routines: A qualitative investigation. Sleep Advances, 4 (Supplement_1), A71-A71. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad035.184
2023
Journal Article
Sleep duration is associated with young adult's heart rate variability response to stress
Gadam, S., Rossa, K., Pattinson, C., Shekari Soleimanloo, S., Mann, D., Salmon, P., Sullivan, K. and Smith, S. (2023). Sleep duration is associated with young adult's heart rate variability response to stress. Sleep Advances, 4 (Supplement_1) O045, A17-A17. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad035.045
2023
Journal Article
The ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics and disability: findings from a scoping review and their human rights implications
Vassos, Maria, Faragher, Rhonda, Nankervis, Karen, Breedt, Radostina, Boyle, Fran, Smith, Simon and Kelly, Jo (2023). The ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics and disability: findings from a scoping review and their human rights implications. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 8 (1), 151-166. doi: 10.1007/s41252-023-00362-1
2023
Journal Article
Australasian genetic counselors' attitudes toward disability and prenatal testing: Findings from a cross‐sectional survey
Yanes, Tatiane, Nathan, Vaishnavi, Wallingford, Courtney, Faragher, Rhonda, Nankervis, Karen, Jacobs, Chris, Vassos, Maria, Boyle, Fran, Carroll, Annemaree, Smith, Simon and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2023). Australasian genetic counselors' attitudes toward disability and prenatal testing: Findings from a cross‐sectional survey. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 33 (4), 1-12. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1788
2023
Journal Article
The effects of light in children: a systematic review
Westwood, Emily, Smith, Simon, Mann, Dwayne, Pattinson, Cassandra, Allan, Alicia and Staton, Sally (2023). The effects of light in children: a systematic review. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 89 102062, 102062. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102062
2023
Journal Article
Interventions to increase sleep duration in young people: a systematic review
Gadam, Sylistah, Pattinson, Cassandra L., Rossa, Kalina R., Shekari Soleimanloo, Shamsi, Moore, Jane, Begum, Tahmina, Gnani Srinivasan, Arvind and Smith, Simon S. (2023). Interventions to increase sleep duration in young people: a systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 70 101807, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101807
2023
Book Chapter
Light as a countermeasure to sleepiness and its potential for use in the transport industry
Soleimanloo, Shamsi Shekari and Smith, Simon (2023). Light as a countermeasure to sleepiness and its potential for use in the transport industry. The handbook of fatigue management in transportation. (pp. 351-361) edited by Christina M. Rudin-Brown and Ashleigh J. Filtness. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003213154-30
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
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
-
Master Philosophy
The impact of digital technology use on sleep and wellbeing in young children
Principal Advisor
-
Master Philosophy
The impact of digital technology use on sleep and wellbeing in young children
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, Health, and Social Consequences of Precarious Employment.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
Master Philosophy
The 24 hour movement behaviours and the impact on children's developmental outcomes
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, Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Dr Kalina Rossa
-
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 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, cognition and cerebrovascular functioning across the lifespan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Jenna Taylor
-
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
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
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, 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
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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