Overview
Background
Dr George Thomas is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland’s Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation and a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. His work focuses on understanding children’s engagement with digital technologies and how this shapes their health, wellbeing, and development.
George has over 15 years of experience in public health and behavioural sciences, with expertise spanning:
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Digital health and healthy screen use in childhood
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Health behaviour change and family-based interventions
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Translation of research into community programs
He began his career with a UK government taskforce on weight management, delivering healthy lifestyle programs for school children and families. Since then, his research has focused on bridging science and practice, ensuring evidence informs policy and community action.
George is also committed to education and mentorship. He has taught research methods and public health to undergraduate students in paramedicine and sport and exercise sciences, consistently receiving excellent feedback, and has supervised more than 30 student research projects.
A passionate advocate for promoting healthy behaviours, George works to create practical solutions that support families, schools, and communities.
Availability
- Dr George Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of Gloucestershire
- Masters (Research) of Health Sciences (Public Health), University of Bristol
- Doctor of Philosophy of Behavioural Science, University of Southern Queensland
Research interests
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Physical activity and health
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Measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour
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Screen use in children and adolescents
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Pragmatic evaluation of health promotion interventions
Research impacts
George’s research is making a difference in how families, schools, and communities support children’s healthy engagement with digital technologies and physical activity. His work provides evidence that guides policy, informs community programs, and shapes the way health organisations address children’s wellbeing.
Key impacts include:
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High international reach and influence: 25 publications since 2018 have attracted more than 2,500 citations, with one study ranked the highest cited article since 2017 in Psychology of Sport and Exercise. These findings have helped set the agenda for research and practice in youth sport and screen use.
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Evidence translated into practice: Research has informed healthy lifestyle programs for school children and families, contributing to better approaches to weight management, behaviour change, and digital wellbeing.
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Recognition and leadership: Awarded Best Oral Presentation at the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) Congress, highlighting the relevance of his findings to international health and wellbeing communities.
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Capacity building and collaboration: Investigator on grants exceeding $4M, including $300,000 from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, supporting large-scale projects that bring researchers, government, and communities together to create real-world solutions.
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Contributing to quality science: Regular reviewer for leading journals in psychology and public health, ensuring high standards of evidence in the field.
Through this work, George is helping to shape healthier futures for children by ensuring research translates beyond the academic world into practical, lasting impact.
Works
Search Professor George Thomas’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Other Outputs
Screen time. In Active Healthy Kids Australia (2022). Reboot! Reimagining Physically Active Lives: 2022 Australian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People
Zabatiero, Juliana, Thomas, George and Straker, Leon (2022). Screen time. In Active Healthy Kids Australia (2022). Reboot! Reimagining Physically Active Lives: 2022 Australian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People. Melbourne, Australia: Active Health Kids Australia.
2020
Journal Article
Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from a 4-year follow-up study
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien, Ireland, Michael J. and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (2020). Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from a 4-year follow-up study. Preventive Medicine, 141 106258, 106258. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106258
2020
Journal Article
Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: a qualitative study
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien and Biddle, Stuart J.H. (2020). Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: a qualitative study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 32 (S2), 238-247. doi: 10.1002/hpja.440
2020
Conference Publication
Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from 2010 to 2014
Thomas, G., Bennie, J., De Cocker, K., Sanders, T. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2020). Screen-based behaviors in Australian adolescents: longitudinal trends from 2010 to 2014. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Online, 15-25 June 2020.
2019
Conference Publication
Physical activity and self-esteem outcomes in young people: what can we conclude from research syntheses?
Biddle, S. J. H., Ciaccioni, S., Thomas, G. and Vergeer, I. (2019). Physical activity and self-esteem outcomes in young people: what can we conclude from research syntheses?. Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine , Christchurch, New Zealand, 15-17 February 2019.
2018
Conference Publication
Benefits and risks associated with children and adolescents' interactions with electronic screens: A synthesis of 474 systematic reviews
Lonsdale, Chris, Biddle, Stuart, Parker, Phil, Salmon, Jo, Hesketh, Kylie, Thomas, George, Weeks, Nicole and Sanders, Taren (2018). Benefits and risks associated with children and adolescents' interactions with electronic screens: A synthesis of 474 systematic reviews. CHAMPAIGN: HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC.
2018
Journal Article
Australian fitness professionals’ level of interest in engaging with high health-risk population subgroups: findings from a national survey
Bennie, J. A., Thomas, G., Wiesner, G. H., van Uffelen, J. G.Z., Khan, A., Kolbe-Alexander, T., Vergeer, I. and Biddle, S. J.H. (2018). Australian fitness professionals’ level of interest in engaging with high health-risk population subgroups: findings from a national survey. Public Health, 160, 108-115. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.035
2018
Conference Publication
Screen time use among children and adolescents: methodology for a scoping review and preliminary findings
Thomas, G., Bennie, J., De Cocker, K. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2018). Screen time use among children and adolescents: methodology for a scoping review and preliminary findings. Exercise and Sports Science Australia: Research to Practice , Brisbane, Australia, 27-29 March 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Physical activity and self-esteem in children and adolescents: update of review of reviews
Ciaccioni, S., Thomas, G., Vergeer, I. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2018). Physical activity and self-esteem in children and adolescents: update of review of reviews. European College of Sport Science , Dublin, Ireland, 4-7 July 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Time-use in screen-based devices among children and adolescents: a systematic scoping review of large population-based studies published since 2000
Thomas, G., Bennie, J., De Cocker, K. and Biddle, S. J. H. (2018). Time-use in screen-based devices among children and adolescents: a systematic scoping review of large population-based studies published since 2000. International Society for Physical Activity and Health, London, United Kingdom, 15-17 October 2018. CHAMPAIGN: HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC.
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr George Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
We currently have opportunities available for multiple higher degree research (HDR) students to join the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In 2022, UQ received foundation funding from Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) to co-fund the creation of the Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation (HWCRI). In partnership with HWQld, HWCRI provides clinical and research expertise in in the fields of physical activity and nutrition with a population and preventative health focus, to inform HWQld’s program design, delivery and evaluation. HWCRI conducts innovative and novel high impact transdisciplinary research in community health and wellbeing across the lifecourse, to reduce health inequities and improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders. The UQ HWCRI aims to translate research and evaluation findings into concepts and products for population level, state-wide implementation; and to build and sustain capacity in health promotion expertise by providing ‘real world’ training opportunities for undergraduate, post-graduate and higher degree research (HDR) students and fellows.
Successful applicants will be part of the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences which is consistently ranked in the world’s Top 5 and is highly regarded nationally and internationally for its teaching, research and community outreach programs. The 2021 QS World Rankings by subject area ranked UQ first in Australia and second in the world in sports-related subjects. They will also be supported and conduct research in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) which is a Queensland Government prevention agency aimed at improving population health and reducing health inequities by reducing the burden of chronic disease across the state. The health and wellbeing of the next generation of Queensland children is a key focus for HWQld and offers a once in a life-time opportunity to change the lives of the next generation where every Queenslander can live their best life, regardless of where they live.
This opportunity would suit students with a background in allied health, health promotion, public health, health psychology, implementation science, or human movement studies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Experience working with industry stakeholders and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and behaviour change would be of benefit. First Nations applicants are particularly encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this exciting new research centre and engage with industry partners and government and specific programs of research can be tailored based on the applicant’s interest and previous experience and expertise.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Time cost and fatigue associated with sports participation for athletes with and without severe to profound disability and high support needs, a comparative analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr George Thomas directly for media enquiries about:
- Adolescents
- Children
- Physical activity
- Screen use
- Sedentary behaviour
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