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
2021
Conference Publication
Using N-of-1 tests to identify responders to melatonin for sleep disturbance in Parkinson’s Disease
Nikles, J., Mitchell, G. K., Smith, S. S., McGree, J. M., McDonald, S., Poli, N., Senior, H., Tan, S., Dissanyaka, N., Ritchie, A. and O'Sullivan, J. D. (2021). Using N-of-1 tests to identify responders to melatonin for sleep disturbance in Parkinson’s Disease. Australian Clinical Trials Alliance conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, November 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
P039 Interventions used to increase sleep duration in young people: a systematic review
Gadam, S., Pattinson, C., Soleimanloo, S., Rossa, K., Moore, J., Begum, T., Srinivasan, A. and Smith, S. (2021). P039 Interventions used to increase sleep duration in young people: a systematic review. 2021 Australasian Sleep Association Abstracts, Virtual, 10-13 October 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.087
2021
Conference Publication
P089 Loneliness and sleep duration among healthy older adults in Southeast Queensland, Australia
Lam, J., Mann, D., Pattinson, C., Allan, A., Smith, S. and Baxter, J. (2021). P089 Loneliness and sleep duration among healthy older adults in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Sleep DownUnder 32nd annual scientific meeting of Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) & Australian and New Zealand Sleep Science Association (ANZSSA), Online, 10 - 13 October, 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.133
2021
Conference Publication
Sleep health promotion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: untapped potential of Indigenous youth workers as sleep coaches
Jabran, S., Smith, S., Fatima, Y. and King, S. (2021). Sleep health promotion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: untapped potential of Indigenous youth workers as sleep coaches. 32nd annual scientific meeting of Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) & Australian and New Zealand Sleep Science Association (ANZSSA), Online, 10-13 October 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.006
2021
Conference Publication
Children’s sleep and fathers’ health and wellbeing: a systematic review
Coles, L., Thorpe, K., Smith, S., Hewitt, B., Ruppanner, L., Bayliss, O., O’Flaherty, M. and Staton, S. (2021). Children’s sleep and fathers’ health and wellbeing: a systematic review. 32nd annual scientific meeting of Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) & Australian and New Zealand Sleep Science Association (ANZSSA), Online, 10 - 13 October 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.072
2021
Journal Article
Polysomnographic predictors of treatment response to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in participants with co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Sweetman, Alexander, Lechat, Bastien, Catcheside, Peter G., Smith, Simon, Antic, Nick A., O’Grady, Amanda, Dunn, Nicola, McEvoy, R. Doug and Lack, Leon (2021). Polysomnographic predictors of treatment response to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in participants with co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology, 12 676763, 676763. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.676763
2021
Other Outputs
BeYou Value for Money (VfM) conceptual framework
Potia, Azhar Hussain, Brown, Richard and Smith, Simon (2021). BeYou Value for Money (VfM) conceptual framework. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2021
Other Outputs
Emerging Minds Value for Money (VfM) conceptual framework
Potia, Azhar Hussain, Brown, Richard and Smith, Simon (2021). Emerging Minds Value for Money (VfM) conceptual framework. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2021
Journal Article
Effect of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms on response to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in patients with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial
Sweetman, Alexander, Lack, Leon, McEvoy, R. Doug, Catcheside, Peter G., Antic, Nick A., Chai-Coetzer, Ching Li, Douglas, James, O'Grady, Amanda, Dunn, Nicola, Robinson, Jan, Paul, Denzil and Smith, Simon (2021). Effect of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms on response to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in patients with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17 (3), 545-554. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8944
2021
Journal Article
Environmental light exposure, rest-activity rhythms, and symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity: an observational study of Australian preschoolers
Ulset, Vidar Sandsaunet, Czajkowski, Nikolai Olavi, Staton, Sally, Smith, Simon, Pattinson, Cassandra, Allen, Alicia, Thorpe, Karen and Bekkhus, Mona (2021). Environmental light exposure, rest-activity rhythms, and symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity: an observational study of Australian preschoolers. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 73 101560, 101560. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101560
2021
Other Outputs
Final report for the overarching evaluation of the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program
Smith, Simon, Salom, Caroline, Edmed, Shanon, Marrington, Shelby, Mamun, Abdullah, Huda, M. Mamun, Potia, Azhar Hussain, Thorpe, Karen, Cross, Donna and Runions, Kevin (2021). Final report for the overarching evaluation of the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program. Canberra, Australia: Department of Heath and Aged Care.
2020
Book Chapter
Digital media and sleep in children
Allan, Alicia and Smith, Simon (2020). Digital media and sleep in children. The Routledge companion to digital media and children. (pp. 403-413) New York, NY USA: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781351004107-38
2020
Journal Article
The effect of cognitive and behavioral therapy for insomnia on week-to-week changes in sleepiness and sleep parameters in patients with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial
Sweetman, Alexander, McEvoy, R Doug, Smith, Simon, Catcheside, Peter G., Antic, Nick A., Chai-Coetzer, Ching Li, Douglas, James, O'Grady, Amanda, Dunn, Nicola, Robinson, Jan, Paul, Denzil, Williamson, Paul and Lack, Leon (2020). The effect of cognitive and behavioral therapy for insomnia on week-to-week changes in sleepiness and sleep parameters in patients with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. Sleep, 43 (7) ZSAA002. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa002
2020
Journal Article
Staff knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to mobilisation in a rehabilitation setting: short report of a multidisciplinary survey
Mudge, Alison M., Bew, Paul, Smith, Simon and McRae, Prue (2020). Staff knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to mobilisation in a rehabilitation setting: short report of a multidisciplinary survey. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 39 (3), 225-229. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12793
2020
Journal Article
Many naps, one nap, none: a systematic review and meta-analysis of napping patterns in children 0-12 years
Staton, Sally, Rankin, Peter S., Harding, Mollie, Smith, Simon S., Westwood, Emily, LeBourgeois, Monique K. and Thorpe, Karen J. (2020). Many naps, one nap, none: a systematic review and meta-analysis of napping patterns in children 0-12 years. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 50 101247, 101247. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101247
2020
Conference Publication
0136 Bright light could be an alternative to the caffeine for improving driving performance in chronically sleep-deprived young drivers
Shekari Soleimanloo, S., Garcia-Hansen, V., White, M. and Smith, S. S. (2020). 0136 Bright light could be an alternative to the caffeine for improving driving performance in chronically sleep-deprived young drivers. 34th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, Philadelphia, PA United States, 27-30 August 2020. Westchester, IL United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.134
2020
Journal Article
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia reduces sleep apnoea severity: a randomised controlled trial
Sweetman, Alexander, Lack, Leon, McEvoy, R. Doug, Antic, Nick A., Smith, Simon, Chai-Coetzer, Ching Li, Douglas, James, O'Grady, Amanda, Dunn, Nicola, Robinson, Jan, Paul, Denzil, Eckert, Danny and Catcheside, Peter G. (2020). Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia reduces sleep apnoea severity: a randomised controlled trial. ERJ Open Research, 6 (2) 00161-2020, 00161-2020. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00161-2020
2020
Other Outputs
Evaluation of the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program: value for money literature review
Potia, Azhar Hussain, Brown, Richard and Smith, Simon (2020). Evaluation of the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program: value for money literature review. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2020
Journal Article
An observational study of physical, cognitive and social activities in rehabilitation inpatients
McRae, Prue, Bew, Paul, Smith, Simon and Mudge, Alison (2020). An observational study of physical, cognitive and social activities in rehabilitation inpatients. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 39 (3) ajag.12785, 217-224. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12785
2020
Other Outputs
Keep Queenslanders Healthy Evaluation Framework Report
McDaid, Lisa, Cleary, Anne, Fatima, Yaqoot, Inch, Zeb, Reddel, Tim, Smith, Simon, Western, Mark and Mamun, Abdullah (2020). Keep Queenslanders Healthy Evaluation Framework Report. Indooroopilly, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research .
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
The Role of Heart Rate Variability in Fatigue Assessment: A Multimodal Approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Cassandra Pattinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Return to safe driving after upper limb surgery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo
-
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
-
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
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
-
Master Philosophy
The impact of digital technology use on sleep and wellbeing in young children
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, cognition and cerebrovascular functioning across the lifespan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Jenna Taylor
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Developmental Significance of Sleep Transitions in Early Childhood
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Associate Professor Sally Staton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Co-design of a Psychological Therapy for Hypersomnia: Feasibility, Acceptability and Preliminary Effectiveness
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shannon Edmed
-
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 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
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, cognition and cerebrovascular functioning across the lifespan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Jenna Taylor
-
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
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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