
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
2015
Conference Publication
If given the opportunity would you want your child to sleep in childcare?
Thorpe, K., Sinclair, D., Staton, S., Pattinson, C. and Smith, S. (2015). If given the opportunity would you want your child to sleep in childcare?. Conference of the American Sleep Physicians Association, Seattle, WA, United States, June 2015. Basel, Switzerland: S. Karger .
2015
Conference Publication
The effects of light on cognitive performance of partially sleep-deprived young drivers
Shekari Soleimanloo, Shamsi, Simon Smith, Melanie White, Veronica Garcia-Hansen and Matthew Leong (2015). The effects of light on cognitive performance of partially sleep-deprived young drivers. 27th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 22-24 October 2015. London, United Kingdom: Springer.
2015
Conference Publication
Napping, development and health from 0-5 years: A systematic review
Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Sawyer, E., Pattinson, C. and Smith, S. (2015). Napping, development and health from 0-5 years: A systematic review. Conference of the American Sleep Physicians Association, Seattle, WA, United States, June 2015. Basel, Switzerland: S. Karger .
2014
Journal Article
Continuing to drive while sleepy: the influence of sleepiness countermeasures, motivation for driving sleepy, and risk perception
Watling, Christopher N., Armstrong, Kerry A., Obst, Patricia L. and Smith, Simon S. (2014). Continuing to drive while sleepy: the influence of sleepiness countermeasures, motivation for driving sleepy, and risk perception. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 73, 262-268. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2014.09.021
2014
Journal Article
Stop and revive? The effectiveness of nap and active rest breaks for reducing driver sleepiness
Watling, Christopher N., Smith, Simon S. and Horswill, Mark S. (2014). Stop and revive? The effectiveness of nap and active rest breaks for reducing driver sleepiness. Psychophysiology, 51 (11), 1131-1138. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12256
2014
Conference Publication
Mandatory sleep practices in early childhood education and care settings: Implications for children's night-time sleep
Staton, S., Smith, S., Pattinson, C. and Thorpe, K. (2014). Mandatory sleep practices in early childhood education and care settings: Implications for children's night-time sleep. AARE-NZARE conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2014.
2014
Journal Article
Toward the multilevel older person’s transportation and road safety model: a new perspective on the role of demographic, functional, and psychosocial factors
Wong, Ides Y., Smith, Simon S., Sullivan, Karen A. and Allan, Alicia C. (2014). Toward the multilevel older person’s transportation and road safety model: a new perspective on the role of demographic, functional, and psychosocial factors. Journals of Gerontology. Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 71 (1), 71-86. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbu099
2014
Conference Publication
On-road driver sleepiness: what are Australian drivers experiences and awareness of sleepiness while driving?
Watling, C. N., Wilson, A., Armstrong, K. A. and Smith, S. S. (2014). On-road driver sleepiness: what are Australian drivers experiences and awareness of sleepiness while driving?. 22nd Congress of the European-Sleep-Research-Society, Tallinn Estonia, Sep 16-20, 2014. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2014
Conference Publication
Sleep, Eat Play: Childcare as settings to establish lifetime foundations of physical and emotional health
Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Pattinson, C. and Smith, S. (2014). Sleep, Eat Play: Childcare as settings to establish lifetime foundations of physical and emotional health. Australia-China Centre for Public Health Research Forum, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2 August 2014.
2014
Journal Article
The effects of sleep restriction on executive inhibitory control and affect in young adults
Rossa, Kalina R., Smith, Simon S., Allan, Alicia C. and Sullivan, Karen A. (2014). The effects of sleep restriction on executive inhibitory control and affect in young adults. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55 (2), 287-292. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.034
2014
Journal Article
Liking for high fat foods in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Smith, Simon S., Waight, Catherine, Doyle, Geoffrey, Rossa, Kalina R. and Sullivan, Karen A. (2014). Liking for high fat foods in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Appetite, 78, 185-192. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.03.019
2014
Journal Article
Management of over-the-counter insomnia complaints in Australian community pharmacies: A standardized patient study
Kashyap, Krishneeta C., Nissen, Lisa M., Smith, Simon S. and Kyle, Greg (2014). Management of over-the-counter insomnia complaints in Australian community pharmacies: A standardized patient study. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 22 (2), 125-134. doi: 10.1111/ijpp.12052
2014
Journal Article
A study protocol: A community pharmacy-based intervention for improving the management of sleep disorders in the community settings
Mohamad Noor, Zaswiza, Smith, Alesha J., Smith, Simon S. and Nissen, Lisa M. (2014). A study protocol: A community pharmacy-based intervention for improving the management of sleep disorders in the community settings. BMC Health Services Research, 14 (1) 74, 74. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-74
2014
Conference Publication
Sleep and weight status of Australian children: The effects of day, night and total sleep
Pattinson, Cassandra, Smith, Simon, Staton, Sally and Thorpe, Karen (2014). Sleep and weight status of Australian children: The effects of day, night and total sleep. Sleep DownUnder 2014 ASM, Sleep Frontiers, 26th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Perth, WA Australia, 9–11 October 2014. London, United Kingdom: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1111/sbr.12082
2014
Conference Publication
Are sleep policies and practices in childcare a cause for concern?
Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Smith, S. and Pattinson, C. (2014). Are sleep policies and practices in childcare a cause for concern?. SRCD conference: Connecting policy Practice and Research, Alexandria Old Town, VA, United States, 2014.
2014
Journal Article
Impact of sleep practices in childcare on child well being
Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Pattinson, C. and Smith, S. (2014). Impact of sleep practices in childcare on child well being. Sleep, 37, A304.
2014
Journal Article
Emotional climate and behavioral management during sleep time in early childhood education settings
Pattinson, Cassandra L., Staton, Sally L., Smith, Simon S., Sinclair, Dominique M. and Thorpe, Karen J. (2014). Emotional climate and behavioral management during sleep time in early childhood education settings. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 29 (4), 660-668. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2014.07.009
2014
Conference Publication
Mandatory sleep time in childcare associated with increased day-time napping and decreased duration of night-time sleep
Staton, Sally, Pattinson, Cassandra, Smith, Simon and Thorpe, Karen (2014). Mandatory sleep time in childcare associated with increased day-time napping and decreased duration of night-time sleep. Sleep DownUnder 2014 ASM, Sleep Frontiers, 26th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Perth, WA Australia, 9–11 October 2014. Springer Nature. doi: 10.1111/sbr.12082
2014
Conference Publication
The relationship between history of childcare and age of cessation of napping in preschool aged children
Staton, S., Smith, S., Pattinson, C. and Thorpe, K. (2014). The relationship between history of childcare and age of cessation of napping in preschool aged children. Conference of the American Sleep Medicine Association, United States, 2014. Basel, Switzerland: S. Karger.
2014
Conference Publication
Impact of sleep practices in childcare settings on child well-being
Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Marriott, A., Pattinson, C. and Smith, S. (2014). Impact of sleep practices in childcare settings on child well-being. SLEEP, Conference of the American Sleep Medicine Association, United States, 2014.
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
Sleep, Health, and Social Consequences of Precarious Employment.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Kalina Rossa, Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Pattinson, 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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