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
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
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
2016
Journal Article
What parents want: parent preference regarding sleep for their preschool child when attending early care and education
Sinclair, Dominique, Staton, Sally, Smith, Simon S., Pattinson, Cassandra L., Marriott, Annette and Thorpe, Karen (2016). What parents want: parent preference regarding sleep for their preschool child when attending early care and education. Sleep Health, 2 (1), 12-18. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.11.002
2016
Journal Article
Supporting sleep in early care and education: an assessment of observed sleep times using a sleep practices optimality index
Staton, Sally, Marriott, Annette, Pattinson, Cassandra, Smith, Simon, Sinclair, Dominique and Thorpe, Karen (2016). Supporting sleep in early care and education: an assessment of observed sleep times using a sleep practices optimality index. Sleep Health, 2 (1), 30-34. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.12.005
2016
Journal Article
Feasibility of a stepped wedge cluster RCT and concurrent observational sub-study to evaluate the effects of modified ward night lighting on inpatient fall rates and sleep quality: a protocol for a pilot trial
Chari, Satyan R. , Smith, Simon , Mudge, Alison , Black, Alex A., Figueiro, Mariana, Ahmed, Muhtashimuddin, Devitt, Mark and Haynes, Terry P. (2016). Feasibility of a stepped wedge cluster RCT and concurrent observational sub-study to evaluate the effects of modified ward night lighting on inpatient fall rates and sleep quality: a protocol for a pilot trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2 (1) 1. doi: 10.1186/s40814-015-0043-x
2016
Journal Article
The on-road experiences and awareness of sleepiness in a sample of Australian highway drivers: a roadside driver sleepiness study
Watling, Christopher N., Armstrong, Kerry A., Smith, Simon S. and Wilson, Adrian (2016). The on-road experiences and awareness of sleepiness in a sample of Australian highway drivers: a roadside driver sleepiness study. Traffic Injury Prevention, 17 (1), 24-30. doi: 10.1080/15389588.2015.1033690
2016
Conference Publication
Psychophysiology of challenge in play: EDA and self-reported arousal
Klarkowski, Madison, Johnson, Daniel, Wyeth, Peta, Phillips, Cody and Smith, Simon (2016). Psychophysiology of challenge in play: EDA and self-reported arousal. CHI 2016: The 34th CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, San Jose, CA United States, 2-12 May 2016. New York, NY United States: ACM . doi: 10.1145/2851581.2892485
2016
Conference Publication
Group napping patterns in relation to duration of mandatory naptimes in childcare settings
Staton, Sally, Smith, Simon, Hurst, C., Pattinson, Cassandra and Thorpe, Karen (2016). Group napping patterns in relation to duration of mandatory naptimes in childcare settings. SLEEP, Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, Boston, MA USA, 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Operationalising and evaluating sub-optimal and optimal play experiences through challenge-skill manipulation
Klarkowski, Madison, Johnson, Daniel, Wyeth, Peta, McEwan, Mitchell, Phillips, Cody and Smith, Simon (2016). Operationalising and evaluating sub-optimal and optimal play experiences through challenge-skill manipulation. 34th Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI4GOOD), San Jose, CA, United States, 7-12 May, 2016. New York, United States: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/2858036.2858563
2016
Conference Publication
Comparison of the effects of the light and caffeine on subjective sleepiness and reaction times of partially sleep‐deprived young drivers
Soleimanloo, Shamsi Shekari, Smith, Simon, White, Melanie and Hansen, Veronica Garcia (2016). Comparison of the effects of the light and caffeine on subjective sleepiness and reaction times of partially sleep‐deprived young drivers. International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2-5 August 2016. Online: Iceberg Events.
2016
Conference Publication
Sleep when the baby sleeps: infant daytime sleep predicts maternal depressive symptomology
Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Cockshaw, W., Pattinson, C. and Smith, S. (2016). Sleep when the baby sleeps: infant daytime sleep predicts maternal depressive symptomology. Conference of the American Sleep Physicians Association, Denver, CO, United States, June 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Prospective measurement of daily sleep, stress, and affect in college students
Rossa, K. R., Sullivan, K. A. and Smith, S. S. (2016). Prospective measurement of daily sleep, stress, and affect in college students. In: SLEEP 2016 - the 30th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, Denver, CO, United States, (). 11-15 June 2016.
2016
Other Outputs
Sleep Practices in Early Childhood: Report on research and translation for babies and toddlers aged birth to 3 years
Staton, S., Thorpe, K., Smith, S.S., Irvine, S., Pattinson, C., Sinclair, D., Hassell, S. and Wihardjo, K. (2016). Sleep Practices in Early Childhood: Report on research and translation for babies and toddlers aged birth to 3 years. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Department of Education, Queensland Government.
2016
Conference Publication
Day and night sleep duration as predicators of children’s weight status
Pattinson, C., Staton, S., Thorpe, K. and Smith, S. (2016). Day and night sleep duration as predicators of children’s weight status. Conference of the American Sleep Physicians Association, Denver, CO, United States, June 2016.
2015
Journal Article
The sleeping elephant in the room: practices and policies regarding sleep/rest time in early childhood education and care
Staton, Sally, Irvine, Susan, Pattinson, Cassandra, Smith, Simon and Thorpe, Karen (2015). The sleeping elephant in the room: practices and policies regarding sleep/rest time in early childhood education and care. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 40 (4), 77-86. doi: 10.1177/183693911504000410
2015
Conference Publication
Physiological consequences of light exposure in preschool children
Pattinson, Cassandra, Allan, Alicia, Staton, Sally, Thorpe, Karen and Smith, Simon (2015). Physiological consequences of light exposure in preschool children. 27th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 22 – 24 October 2015. London, United Kingdom: Springer . doi: 10.1111/sbr.12132
2015
Conference Publication
Children’s sleep patterns on days attending and not attending childcare
Staton, Sally, Pattinson, Cassandra, Smith, Simon, Wihardjo, Kylie and Thorpe, Karen (2015). Children’s sleep patterns on days attending and not attending childcare. 27th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 22–24 October 2015. London, United Kingdom: Springer . doi: 10.1111/sbr.12132
2015
Conference Publication
Awaking the sleeping elephant in the room: Translating sleep science into sleep practice in Early Childhood Education and Care
Staton, S., Smith, S., Pattinson, C., Irvine, S., Theobald, M., Nothard, M. and Thorpe, K. (2015). Awaking the sleeping elephant in the room: Translating sleep science into sleep practice in Early Childhood Education and Care. Improving Children's Lives: Translating Research for Practice, Policy and Community Conference, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, September 2015.
2015
Journal Article
Effects of resistance training on measures of muscular strength in people with Parkinson's Disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Roeder, Luisa, Costello, Joseph T., Smith, Simon S., Stewart, Ian B. and Kerr, Graham K. (2015). Effects of resistance training on measures of muscular strength in people with Parkinson's Disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 10 (7) e0132135, e0132135. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132135
2015
Journal Article
Assessment method influences the severity and type of symptoms reported after self-reported mild traumatic brain injury
Edmed, Shannon L., Sullivan, Karen A., Allan, Alicia C. and Smith, Simon S. (2015). Assessment method influences the severity and type of symptoms reported after self-reported mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 37 (6), 641-652. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2015.1038984
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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