Professor Simon Smith
Professor

Simon Smith

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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.

https://lifecoursecentre.org.au

https://digitalchild.org.au

Availability

Professor Simon Smith is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Adolescent health Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cardiovascular medicine and haematology Clinical sciences Infant and child health Paediatrics Pain Respiratory diseases

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Monash University
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Melbourne
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne

Search Professor Simon Smith’s works on UQ eSpace

285 works between 2000 and 2025
All (285) Journal Article (130) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (133) Book (2) Other Outputs (17)

121 - 140 of 285 works

2017

Conference Publication

Is there an association between perceived hypersomnolence and academic results?

Ludwig, B., Heussler, H. and Smith, S. (2017). Is there an association between perceived hypersomnolence and academic results?. World Sleep 2017 , Prague, Czech Republic, October 7-11, 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.585

Is there an association between perceived hypersomnolence and academic results?

2017

Conference Publication

Supporting sleep development in early childhood: What role does childcare play?

Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Smith, S., Irvine, S. and Thorpe, K. (2017). Supporting sleep development in early childhood: What role does childcare play?. 18th European Conference of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2017.

Supporting sleep development in early childhood: What role does childcare play?

2017

Conference Publication

Providing safe and supportive sleep environments in early childhood education and care

Staton, S., Pattison, C., Irvine, S., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2017). Providing safe and supportive sleep environments in early childhood education and care. Early Start Conference, Wollongong, Australia, 2017.

Providing safe and supportive sleep environments in early childhood education and care

2017

Conference Publication

At what age do children demonstrate an understanding of the vocabulary associated with sleep?

Ludwig, B., Heussler, H. and Smith, S. (2017). At what age do children demonstrate an understanding of the vocabulary associated with sleep?. World Sleep 2017, Prague, Czech Republic, October 7-11, 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.586

At what age do children demonstrate an understanding of the vocabulary associated with sleep?

2017

Conference Publication

Choosing Rest: Finding Effective Alternatives to Mandated Rest-times in ECEC

Staton, S., Thorpe, K., Irvine, S., Smith, S., Pattinson, C., McArdle, F., McNellie, P., Oakes, C. and Houen, S. (2017). Choosing Rest: Finding Effective Alternatives to Mandated Rest-times in ECEC. Queensland Government Department of Education and Training Research Forum, Brisbane, 2017.

Choosing Rest: Finding Effective Alternatives to Mandated Rest-times in ECEC

2017

Conference Publication

Decreased time in bed predicts risky driving in young adults: a prospective, naturalistic study

Rossa, K., Allan, A., Sullivan, K., Wong, I., Kyle, G. and Smith, S. (2017). Decreased time in bed predicts risky driving in young adults: a prospective, naturalistic study. The 2017 Joint Congress of World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) & World Sleep Federation (WSF), Prague, Czech Republic, 7-11 October 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.829

Decreased time in bed predicts risky driving in young adults: a prospective, naturalistic study

2017

Conference Publication

Severe sleep restriction in expedition adventure race competitors

St Pierre, L., Allan, A., Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Thorpe, K. and Smith, S. (2017). Severe sleep restriction in expedition adventure race competitors. Joint Congress of World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) & World Sleep Federation (WSF), Prague, Czech Republic, 7-11 October 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.023

Severe sleep restriction in expedition adventure race competitors

2017

Conference Publication

Sleep disturbance mediates the relationship between injury severity and executive function difficulties in children 18 months following traumatic brain injury

Edmed, S., Rossa, K., Kenardy, J., Anderson, V. and Smith, S. (2017). Sleep disturbance mediates the relationship between injury severity and executive function difficulties in children 18 months following traumatic brain injury. 14th World Sleep Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 7-11 October 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.828

Sleep disturbance mediates the relationship between injury severity and executive function difficulties in children 18 months following traumatic brain injury

2017

Other Outputs

Professional development package and resources for guiding sleep practices in early childhood education and care services in Queensland - Phase 2 Follow-up Final Report

Staton, S., Thorpe, K., Smith, S.S., Irvine, S., Pattinson, C,, Rankin, P., Oakes, C., Teo, Y. and Cooke, E. (2017). Professional development package and resources for guiding sleep practices in early childhood education and care services in Queensland - Phase 2 Follow-up Final Report. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Department of Education, Queensland Government.

Professional development package and resources for guiding sleep practices in early childhood education and care services in Queensland - Phase 2 Follow-up Final Report

2017

Other Outputs

Professional development package and resources for guiding sleep practices in early childhood education and care services in Queensland - Phase 1

Staton, S., Thorpe, K., Smith, S., Irvine, S., Pattinson, C,, Sinclair, D., Hassell, S., Fuller, T. and Wihardjo, K. (2017). Professional development package and resources for guiding sleep practices in early childhood education and care services in Queensland - Phase 1. Queensland: Department of Education and Training, Queensland Government.

Professional development package and resources for guiding sleep practices in early childhood education and care services in Queensland - Phase 1

2016

Journal Article

Sleep-related vehicle crashes on low speed roads

Filtness, A. J., Armstrong, K. A., Watson, A. and Smith, S. S. (2016). Sleep-related vehicle crashes on low speed roads. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 99 (Part A), 279-286. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2016.12.002

Sleep-related vehicle crashes on low speed roads

2016

Journal Article

Poor sleep predicts subacute postconcussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury

Sullivan, Karen A., Berndt, Sara L., Edmed, Shannon L., Smith, Simon S. and Allan, Alicia C. (2016). Poor sleep predicts subacute postconcussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 23 (6), 426-435. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2016.1172229

Poor sleep predicts subacute postconcussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury

2016

Other Outputs

Sleepiness and other driving risks in young adults

Rossa, Kalina, Smith, Simon, Sullivan, Karen, Kyle, G. and Wong, Ides (2016). Sleepiness and other driving risks in young adults. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Australasian College of Road Safety.

Sleepiness and other driving risks in young adults

2016

Conference Publication

Role of sleep misperceptions in relationship between co-morbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea

Sweetman, A., Lack, L., Catcheside, P., Antic, N., Chai-Coetzer, C. -L., Smith, S., Douglas, J., O'Grady, A., Paul, D., Dunn, N. and Mc Evoy, D. (2016). Role of sleep misperceptions in relationship between co-morbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. 23rd Congress of the European-Sleep-Research-Society, Bologna Italy, Sep 13-16, 2016. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Role of sleep misperceptions in relationship between co-morbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea

2016

Conference Publication

Examining insomnia subtypes in patients with co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea

Sweetman, A., Lack, L., Catcheside, P., Antic, N., Chai-Coetzer, C. -L., Smith, S., Douglas, J., O'Grady, A., Paul, D., Dunn, N. and Mc Evoy, D. (2016). Examining insomnia subtypes in patients with co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea. 23rd Congress of the European-Sleep-Research-Society, Bologna Italy, Sep 13-16, 2016. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Examining insomnia subtypes in patients with co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea

2016

Conference Publication

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia patients with co-morbid obstructive sleep apnea

Lack, L., Sweetman, A., Smith, S., Dunn, N., Catcheside, P., Antic, N., Chai-Coetzer, C. -L., Douglas, J., O'Grady, A., Paul, D. and Mc Evoy, D. (2016). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia patients with co-morbid obstructive sleep apnea. 23rd Congress of the European-Sleep-Research-Society, Bologna Italy, Sep 13-16, 2016. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia patients with co-morbid obstructive sleep apnea

2016

Journal Article

A feasibility study: use of actigraph to monitor and follow-up sleep/wake patterns in individuals attending community pharmacy with sleeping disorders

Noor, Zaswiza Mohamad, Smith, Alesha J., Smith, Simon S. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2016). A feasibility study: use of actigraph to monitor and follow-up sleep/wake patterns in individuals attending community pharmacy with sleeping disorders. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 8 (3), 173-180. doi: 10.4103/0975-7406.171739

A feasibility study: use of actigraph to monitor and follow-up sleep/wake patterns in individuals attending community pharmacy with sleeping disorders

2016

Journal Article

Psychosocial factors significantly predict driving self-regulation in Australian older adults

Wong, Ides Y., Smith, Simon S. and Sullivan, Karen A. (2016). Psychosocial factors significantly predict driving self-regulation in Australian older adults. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 35 (2), 133-138. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12252

Psychosocial factors significantly predict driving self-regulation in Australian older adults

2016

Journal Article

Crash risk perception of sleepy driving and its comparisons with drink driving and speeding: which behavior is perceived as the riskiest?

Watling, Christopher N., Armstrong, Kerry A., Smith, Simon S. and Obst, Patricia L. (2016). Crash risk perception of sleepy driving and its comparisons with drink driving and speeding: which behavior is perceived as the riskiest?. Traffic Injury Prevention, 17 (4), 400-405. doi: 10.1080/15389588.2015.1096350

Crash risk perception of sleepy driving and its comparisons with drink driving and speeding: which behavior is perceived as the riskiest?

2016

Journal Article

Psychophysiological changes associated with self-regulation of sleepiness and cessation from a hazard perception task

Watling, Christopher N., Smith, Simon S. and Horswill, Mark S. (2016). Psychophysiological changes associated with self-regulation of sleepiness and cessation from a hazard perception task. Journal of Psychophysiology, 30 (2), 66-75. doi: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000156

Psychophysiological changes associated with self-regulation of sleepiness and cessation from a hazard perception task

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    Untapping the potential of sleep health to improve prevention and management of mental health problems in First Nations Children
    NHMRC MRFF Childhood Mental Health Research
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Comparative effectiveness of exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, and their combination for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain and poor sleep
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Chronic Pain Management Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Sleep for Strong Souls (3S): Multisectoral partnership and codesigned solutions to improve the sleep health of First Nations Adolescents
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    What causes low back pain to flare: Has a major opportunity to understand back pain been missed?
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2028
    ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child (ARC Centre of Excellence administered by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2027
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    The developmental significance of sleep transition in early childhood.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Impact of circadian and endocrine disruption on the pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (2023 MSHRSS Co-funded Collaboration Grant led by MSH).
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Wearable Predictive Diagnostics for Warfighter Maintenance (Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group project administered by QUT)
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    BALANCE: Promoting wellBeing in AdoLescent and young Adult cancer survivors
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Prediction of crash risk of school children at school zones via a machine learning approach
    Road Safety Innovation Fund
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Deep learning and physiology based approach to derive and link obstructive sleep apnoea phenotypes and symptomatology
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    'We need to talk' : Genomics and disability
    MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Project Grant administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Co-designed sleep health program to achieve better sleep and improved mental health symptoms in Indigenous adolescents
    NHMRC MRFF - Indigenous Health Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Evaluation Framework for the Keeping Queenslanders Healthy Priority
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Assessing Sleep, Activity and Behaviour in Children and Adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome (BDHP grant administered by CHQHHS)
    Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Reducing Crash Risk For Young Drivers: A Randomized Control Trial To Improve Sleep
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Evaluation of the national support for child and youth mental health program and longitudinal research plan
    Commonwealth Department of Health
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Sleep measurements in Friedreich's ataxia, Huntington's disease patients and healthy volunteers
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Equipment for naturalistic sleep-wake, circadian rhythm, and stress measurement
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Professional Development Package and Resources for Guiding Sleep Practices in Early Childhood Education and Care Services (through the State of QLD (acting through the Dept of Education and Training))
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Choosing rest: finding effective alternatives to mandates rest-times in ECEC services
    Education Horizon
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Designing healthy and efficient luminous environments in Green Buildings (ARC Linkage Project Administered by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Treating Insomnia Co-morbid with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (COMISA): A randomized controlled clinical effectiveness trial (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Flinders University of South Australia)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Motivational Interviewing (MI) to improve adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS): a randomized control clinical trial
    ResMed Foundation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Bright light effects on sleepiness and hazard perception
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Nurse implemented motivational interviewing to improve adherence to CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: A randomised control
    Prince Charles Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Sleepiness and hazard perception while driving
    Australian Transport Safety Bureau
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Motivational Interviewing to Improve Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome: A Randomized Control Clinical Trial
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Mental Health In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnea Syndrome
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant

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

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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