Overview
Background
Dr George Thomas is a Research Fellow in the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences at The University of Queensland and a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. His research focuses on children’s digital technology use, family digital routines, healthy screen use, and child health and wellbeing.
George leads an integrated program of research focused on understanding and improving how families manage children’s screen use. His work spans digital health, behavioural science, public health, and research translation through partnerships with government and industry.
His research has informed international policy and guidelines, including reports from UNESCO and the World Health Organization, and contributes to global initiatives such as the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance.
George is also committed to education and mentorship, having supervised more than 40 student research projects across psychology, dietetics, and exercise science, and supporting students to work on real-world policy and community initiatives.
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
Dr Thomas's research is helping shape healthier digital habits, improve child wellbeing, and support families, schools, and communities to navigate the challenges of growing up in a digital world.
Key impacts include:
Informing policy and global guidelines
George’s research has informed more than 40 policy documents from international and national organisations, including UNESCO and the World Health Organization, contributing to global discussions on children’s digital wellbeing and health.
Improving how children’s screen use is measured and understood
His research has helped shift the field beyond simple “screen time” measures toward understanding family digital routines, influencing how researchers, governments, and organisations approach children’s digital behaviour and health.
High research influence and uptake
With more than 30 publications, over 1,300 citations, and a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 5.16 (cited 416% more than the global average), George’s research is widely used by researchers, policymakers, and organisations worldwide. His work has been cited across more than 100 countries and multiple disciplines including medicine, psychology, engineering, and social sciences.
Translation into real-world programs and workforce development
George works closely with Health and Wellbeing Queensland to translate research into practice, including contributing to preventive health training programs reaching more than 4,500 Child and Family Health staff across Queensland who support families with young children.
Leadership of funded research addressing real-world problems
He has secured more than $2.5 million in competitive research funding and leads projects focused on improving children’s digital wellbeing, family health behaviours, and community health programs.
Works
Search Professor George Thomas’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Device-based measurement of office-based physical activity and sedentary time: a systematic review
Bongers, Noah, Healy, Genevieve N., Thomas, George and Clark, Bronwyn K. (2024). Device-based measurement of office-based physical activity and sedentary time: a systematic review. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 7 (1), 10-22. doi: 10.1123/jmpb.2024-0011
2024
Journal Article
Early childhood screen use contexts and cognitive and psychosocial outcomes : a systematic review and meta-analysis
Mallawaarachchi, Sumudu, Burley, Jade, Mavilidi, Myrto, Howard, Steven J., Straker, Leon, Kervin, Lisa, Staton, Sally, Hayes, Nicole, Machell, Amanda, Torjinski, Marina, Brady, Brodie, Thomas, George, Horwood, Sharon, White, Sonia L. J., Zabatiero, Juliana, Rivera, Clara and Cliff, Dylan (2024). Early childhood screen use contexts and cognitive and psychosocial outcomes : a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 178 (10), 1017-1026. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.2620
2024
Journal Article
What could be considered as effective support for autistic females in high school? A systematic literature review
Ayirebi, Katie and Thomas, George (2024). What could be considered as effective support for autistic females in high school? A systematic literature review. The Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 24 (3), 441-453. doi: 10.1111/1471-3802.12641
2024
Journal Article
Intense and problematic social media use and sleep difficulties of adolescents in 40 countries
Khan, Asaduzzaman, Thomas, George, Karatela, Shamshad, Morawska, Alina and Werner-Seidler, Aliza (2024). Intense and problematic social media use and sleep difficulties of adolescents in 40 countries. Journal of Adolescence, 96 (5), 1116-1125. doi: 10.1002/jad.12321
2024
Conference Publication
Device-based measurement of office-based physical behaviour: a systematic review
Clark, Bronwyn, Thomas, George, Bongers, Noah and Healy, Genevieve (2024). Device-based measurement of office-based physical behaviour: a systematic review. International Society for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, Rennes, France, 17-21 June 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Measurement method options to investigate digital screen technology use by children and adolescents: a narrative review
Beynon, Amber, Hendry, Danica, Lund Rasmussen, Charlotte, Rohl, Andrew L., Eynon, Rebecca, Thomas, George, Stearne, Sarah, Campbell, Amity, Harris, Courtenay, Zabatiero, Juliana and Straker, Leon (2024). Measurement method options to investigate digital screen technology use by children and adolescents: a narrative review. Children, 11 (7) 754, 754. doi: 10.3390/children11070754
2024
Conference Publication
Accuracy and Acceptability of the Desk Positioning System (DPS): a new sit-stand desk measurement device
Thomas, George, Clark, Bronwyn and Healy, Genevieve (2024). Accuracy and Acceptability of the Desk Positioning System (DPS): a new sit-stand desk measurement device. International Society for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, Rennes, France, 17-21 June 2024.
2024
Journal Article
An umbrella review of the benefits and risks associated with youths’ interactions with electronic screens
Sanders, Taren, Noetel, Michael, Parker, Philip, Del Pozo Cruz, Borja, Biddle, Stuart, Ronto, Rimante, Hulteen, Ryan, Parker, Rhiannon, Thomas, George, De Cocker, Katrien, Salmon, Jo, Hesketh, Kylie, Weeks, Nicole, Arnott, Hugh, Devine, Emma, Vasconcellos, Roberta, Pagano, Rebecca, Sherson, Jamie, Conigrave, James and Lonsdale, Chris (2024). An umbrella review of the benefits and risks associated with youths’ interactions with electronic screens. Nature Human Behaviour, 8 (1), 82-99. doi: 10.1038/s41562-023-01712-8
2023
Conference Publication
Associations between excessive and problematic social media use and psychosomatic complaints among adolescents: does physical activity moderate the associations?
Khan, Asad and Thomas, George (2023). Associations between excessive and problematic social media use and psychosomatic complaints among adolescents: does physical activity moderate the associations?. Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity, Wellington, New Zealand, 27 - 29 November 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: A qualitative study
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason, De Cocker, Katrien and Biddle, Stuart (2023). Exploring contemporary screen time in Australian adolescents: A qualitative study. Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity, Wellington, New Zealand, 27-29 November.
2023
Conference Publication
Using automated wearable cameras to categorise the type and context of screen-based behaviours among adolescents: an observational study
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason, De Cocker, Katrien, Andriyani, Fitria Dwi and Biddle, Stuart (2023). Using automated wearable cameras to categorise the type and context of screen-based behaviours among adolescents: an observational study. Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity, Wellington, New Zealand, 27-29 November 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Lifestyle management of youth impacted by type 2 diabetes: A systematic review
Fortnum, Kathern, Thomas, George, Too, Kiara, Tam, Athena, Tilley, Kate, Cairney, John and Gomersall, Sjaan (2023). Lifestyle management of youth impacted by type 2 diabetes: A systematic review. Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity, Wellington, New Zealand, 27-29 November 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
On the centrality of (movement) creativity to enrich the sustainability of physical literacy
Richard, Veronique, Thomas, George, Gomersall, Sjaan and Cairney, John (2023). On the centrality of (movement) creativity to enrich the sustainability of physical literacy. International Physical Literacy Conference, New York, United States, 1-3 May 2023.
2022
Journal Article
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of female adolescents in Indonesia: a multi-method study on duration, pattern and context
Andriyani, Fitria Dwi, Biddle, Stuart J. H., Priambadha, Aprida Agung, Thomas, George and De Cocker, Katrien (2022). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of female adolescents in Indonesia: a multi-method study on duration, pattern and context. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 20 (2), 128-139. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.02.002
2022
Journal Article
Using wearable cameras to categorize the type and context of screen-based behaviors among adolescents: observational study
Thomas, George, Bennie, Jason A., De Cocker, Katrien, Dwi Andriyani, Fitria, Booker, Bridget and Biddle, Stuart J. H. (2022). Using wearable cameras to categorize the type and context of screen-based behaviors among adolescents: observational study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 5 (1) e28208, e28208. doi: 10.2196/28208
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.
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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