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Professor John Cairney
Professor

John Cairney

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56241

Overview

Background

Professor John Cairney is the Head of School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences. He is an academic leader in the field of paediatric exercise medicine and child health research and is particularly well-known for his work on developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and its impact on the health and well-being of children. Prof John Cairney started at UQ in January 2020.

Until the end of 2019, he was the Director of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and Director of the Infant and Child Health (INCH) Research Laboratory at both the University of Toronto and McMaster University. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University and a core scientist with the Offord Centre for Child Studies, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster University, and the independent Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.

Professor Cairney completed his PhD studies at the University of Western Ontario and has held academic appointments at Brock University, the University of Toronto and McMaster University before his current UQ role. He has held, among other research leadership positions, a Canada Research Chair in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and a Professorship in Child Health, and subsequently a Research Chair, in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University.

Professor Cairney has been the recipient of ~$A17 million in research grants as a principal investigator and has some 310 published works with a Scopus h index of 51 (Aug 2022).

Professor Cairney is a former President of the North American Society of Pediatric Exercise Medicine.

Availability

Professor John Cairney is:
Available for supervision

Research interests

  • Physical activity and health

    Professor Cairney's broad interest is in the association between physical activity and health (physical and mental), with a specific interest in the role that physical activity plays in the health and quality of life of children with chronic disease.

Research impacts

From 2012-2015, Professor John Cairney co-led the evaluation of the multi-ministerial Children’s Mental Health Strategy in Canada, and since 2013 he has been the Scientific Lead of the screening arm of the Special Needs Strategy for Children in Ontario. These roles have allowed him to influence policy development in Ontario.

Works

Search Professor John Cairney’s works on UQ eSpace

410 works between 1996 and 2025

341 - 360 of 410 works

2008

Journal Article

What should we do to help children with DCD

Cairney, John (2008). What should we do to help children with DCD. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 50 (8), 566-566. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2008.03056.x

What should we do to help children with DCD

2008

Book Chapter

Tracking the relationship between motor proficiency and BMI over a 24-month period among Canadian school children

Hay, J., Veldhuizen, S. and Cairney, J. (2008). Tracking the relationship between motor proficiency and BMI over a 24-month period among Canadian school children. Children and Exercise XXIV. (pp. 129-133) Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. doi: 10.4324/9780203890851

Tracking the relationship between motor proficiency and BMI over a 24-month period among Canadian school children

2008

Journal Article

Characteristics of physically active smokers and implications for harm reduction

DeRuiter, Wayne K., Faulkner, Guy, Cairney, John and Veldhuizen, Scott (2008). Characteristics of physically active smokers and implications for harm reduction. American Journal of Public Health, 98 (5), 925-931. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.120469

Characteristics of physically active smokers and implications for harm reduction

2008

Journal Article

Screening for motor coordination challenges in children using teacher ratings of physical ability and activity

Faught, Brent E., Cairney, John, Hay, John, Veldhuizen, Scott, Missiuna, Cheryl and Spironello, Cristina A. (2008). Screening for motor coordination challenges in children using teacher ratings of physical ability and activity. Human Movement Science, 27 (2), 177-189. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2008.02.001

Screening for motor coordination challenges in children using teacher ratings of physical ability and activity

2008

Journal Article

Generalized self-efficacy and performance on the 20-metre shuttle run in children

Cairney, John, Hay, John A., Faught, Brent E., Léger, Luc and Mathers, Brittany (2008). Generalized self-efficacy and performance on the 20-metre shuttle run in children. American Journal of Human Biology, 20 (2), 132-138. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.20690

Generalized self-efficacy and performance on the 20-metre shuttle run in children

2008

Journal Article

Perceived unmet need for mental health care for Canadians with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders

Urboanoski, Karen A., Cairney, John, Bassani, Diego G. and Rush, Brian R. (2008). Perceived unmet need for mental health care for Canadians with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Psychiatric Services, 59 (3), 283-289. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.59.3.283

Perceived unmet need for mental health care for Canadians with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders

2008

Journal Article

Comorbid depression and anxiety in later life: Patterns of association, subjective well-being, and impairment

Cairney, John, Coma, Laurie M., Veldhuizen, Scott, Herrmann, Nathan and Streiner, David L. (2008). Comorbid depression and anxiety in later life: Patterns of association, subjective well-being, and impairment. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16 (3), 201-208. doi: 10.1097/01.JGP.0000300627.93523.c8

Comorbid depression and anxiety in later life: Patterns of association, subjective well-being, and impairment

2008

Journal Article

Re: The social causes of psychosis in North American psychiatry: A review of a disappearing literature [3]

Cairney, John (2008). Re: The social causes of psychosis in North American psychiatry: A review of a disappearing literature [3]. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53 (1), 74-74. doi: 10.1177/070674370805300116

Re: The social causes of psychosis in North American psychiatry: A review of a disappearing literature [3]

2008

Journal Article

The social epidemiology of affective and anxiety disorders in later life in Canada

Cairney, John, Corna, Laurie M., Veldhuizen, Scott, Kurdyak, Paul and Streiner, David L. (2008). The social epidemiology of affective and anxiety disorders in later life in Canada. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53 (2), 104-111. doi: 10.1177/070674370805300205

The social epidemiology of affective and anxiety disorders in later life in Canada

2008

Journal Article

Negative life events and age-related decline in mastery: Are older adults more vulnerable to the control-eroding effect of stress?

Cairney, John and Krause, Neal (2008). Negative life events and age-related decline in mastery: Are older adults more vulnerable to the control-eroding effect of stress?. Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 63 (3). doi: 10.1093/geronb/63.3.S162

Negative life events and age-related decline in mastery: Are older adults more vulnerable to the control-eroding effect of stress?

2008

Journal Article

Left-handedness and developmental coordination disorder

Cairney, John, Schmidt, Louis A., Veldhuizen, Scott, Kurdyak, Paul, Hay, John and Faught, Brent E. (2008). Left-handedness and developmental coordination disorder. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53 (10), 696-699. doi: 10.1177/070674370805301009

Left-handedness and developmental coordination disorder

2008

Journal Article

The epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in Quebec's older adult population

Préville, Michel, Boyer, Richard, Grenier, Sébastien, Dubé, Micheline, Voyer, Philippe, Punti, Rosita, Baril, Marie-Claire, Streiner, David L., Cairney, John and Brassard, Joëlle (2008). The epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in Quebec's older adult population. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53 (12), 822-832. doi: 10.1177/070674370805301208

The epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in Quebec's older adult population

2008

Journal Article

The impact of a smoking cessation policy on visits to a psychiatric emergency department

Kurdyak, Paul, Cairney, John, Sarnocinska-Hart, Anna, Callahan, Russell C. and Strike, Carol (2008). The impact of a smoking cessation policy on visits to a psychiatric emergency department. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53 (11), 779-782. doi: 10.1177/070674370805301110

The impact of a smoking cessation policy on visits to a psychiatric emergency department

2007

Journal Article

Evaluating the CSAPPA subscales as potential screening instruments for developmental coordination disorder

Cairney, John, Veldhuizen, Scott, Kurdyak, Paul, Missiuna, Cheryl, Faught, Brent E. and Hay, John (2007). Evaluating the CSAPPA subscales as potential screening instruments for developmental coordination disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 92 (11), 987-991. doi: 10.1136/adc.2006.115097

Evaluating the CSAPPA subscales as potential screening instruments for developmental coordination disorder

2007

Journal Article

Panic disorder in later life: Results from a national survey of Canadians

Corna, Laurie M., Cairney, John, Herrmann, Nathan, Veldhuizen, Scott, McCabe, Laura and Streiner, David (2007). Panic disorder in later life: Results from a national survey of Canadians. International Psychogeriatrics, 19 (6), 1084-1096. doi: 10.1017/S1041610207004978

Panic disorder in later life: Results from a national survey of Canadians

2007

Journal Article

Substance abuse and quality of life among severely mentally ill consumers

Urbanoski, Karen A., Cairney, John, Adlaf, Edward and Rush, Brian (2007). Substance abuse and quality of life among severely mentally ill consumers. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 42 (10), 810-818. doi: 10.1007/s00127-007-0236-6

Substance abuse and quality of life among severely mentally ill consumers

2007

Journal Article

Comparison of anthropometry and parent-reported height and weight among nine year olds

Banach, Alayna, Wade, Terrance J., Cairney, John, Hay, John A., Faught, Brent E. and O'Leary, Deborah D. (2007). Comparison of anthropometry and parent-reported height and weight among nine year olds. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 98 (4), 251-253. doi: 10.1007/bf03405397

Comparison of anthropometry and parent-reported height and weight among nine year olds

2007

Journal Article

Developmental coordination disorder and reported enjoyment of physical education in children

Cairney, John, Hay, John, Mandigo, James, Wade, Terrance, Faught, Brent E. and Flouris, Andreas (2007). Developmental coordination disorder and reported enjoyment of physical education in children. European Physical Education Review, 13 (1), 81-98. doi: 10.1177/1356336X07072678

Developmental coordination disorder and reported enjoyment of physical education in children

2007

Journal Article

The sensitivity of the K6 as a screen for any disorder in community mental health surveys: A cautionary note

Veldhuizen, Scott, Cairney, John, Kurdyak, Paul and Streiner, David L. (2007). The sensitivity of the K6 as a screen for any disorder in community mental health surveys: A cautionary note. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52 (4), 256-259. doi: 10.1177/070674370705200408

The sensitivity of the K6 as a screen for any disorder in community mental health surveys: A cautionary note

2007

Journal Article

Epidemiology of social phobia in later life

Cairney, John, McCabe, Laura, Veldhuizen, Scott, Corna, Laurie M., Streiner, David and Herrmann, Nathan (2007). Epidemiology of social phobia in later life. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15 (3), 224-233. doi: 10.1097/01.JGP.0000235702.77245.46

Epidemiology of social phobia in later life

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2026
    Digitalisation of the Support Needs Assessment Tool Sports and Exercise
    Beyond Sports Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    The 360-Kids community Network to support children with neurodevelopment challenges (HERA 2.0 partnership)
    Health and Wellbeing Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Health Economist Support for Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
    Health and Wellbeing Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    AI-Empowered and Video-Based uplift of Paralympic classification systems (AQIRP project administered by Follow Me AI)
    Follow Me AI Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Implementation and scale-up of a consumer co-designed physical activity promotion program for people with moderate-to-profound disabilities
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Effective Treatments and Therapies
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2027
    Health and Wellbeing Research Innovation Lab
    Health and Wellbeing Queensland
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Design of a First Nations Community Impact Framework for Athletics Australia
    Athletics Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Mob Moves: Co-designing a program to empower socioemotional learning through physical activity
    UQ Indigenous Research Engagement and Partnerships Fund
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    CATCHing up: A continuation of the Coordination and Activity Tracking in Children cohort study (CIHR Project Grant led by Brock University)
    Brock University
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor John Cairney is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The motor development of preschool children in the digital age

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Interventions to increase physical activity in children and youth with Autism

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Stewart Trost, Dr Michalis Stylianou, Dr Jessica Hill

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Examining the Efficacy of Attentional Focus Instruction on Typically and Atypically Developing Young Learners Performing a Postural Control Task

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy, Dr Gregore Iven Mielke

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Health literacy of rheumatic heart disease within non-family based care

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing a Motor Assessment Tool that is Feasible for Autistic Children with High Support Needs

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy, Associate Professor Emma Beckman

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Innovating physical literacy in childhood through the co-design of the MobMoves program

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Murray Phillips, Dr Kai Wheeler

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the Cultural Determinants of Physical Literacy in Diverse Communities

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Co-designing trauma informed practices for Exercise Physiologists working with children

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor John Cairney's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au