Overview
Background
Professor Brown's research interests focus on physical activity and the prevention and management of chronic illness at a population level. To date, much of her research has been in the areas of obesity and the health and well being of Australian women.
Professor Wendy Brown joined the UQ School of Human Movement Studies in 2000 as the first professor in physical activity and health. Her educational qualifications are in human biology and physiology, exercise physiology, and health and physical education. She has had a diverse career path, working in both secondary and tertiary education, as well as public and private health promotion. Prior to her move to Queensland, she was the Director of the Research Institute for Gender and Health at the University of Newcastle, where she was a founding investigator and manager of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health. This project has been tracking the health of over 40,000 women for ten years. She was also a Chief Investigator on the "10,000 Steps Rockhampton" project which aimed to increase the physical activity levels of a community of approximately 60,000 people. In addition to her teaching and research commitments, she devotes considerable time to professional and policy development through her work with government departments, the National Heart Foundation, and Sports Medicine Australia. In the last five years, she has contributed to research grants with a value of more than $26,000,000, published more than 120 articles in national and international journals, and written numerous research reports.
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Wendy Brown is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Birmingham
- Postgraduate Diploma, Loughborough University
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, Loughborough University
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
Research interests
-
Physical activity
Physical activity and its role in the prevention and management of chronic illness at a population level
-
Women's health
-
Obesity
Works
Search Professor Wendy Brown’s works on UQ eSpace
2005
Conference Publication
Australian women and their weight: A growing problem
Brown, W. (2005). Australian women and their weight: A growing problem. A meeting of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, Australia, 11 October 2005. Callaghan, N.S.W., Australia: Women's Health Australia.
2005
Conference Publication
Systematic evaluation of a community-based resistance training program designed for older adults
Cyarto, E. V., Brown, W. J. and Marshall, A. (2005). Systematic evaluation of a community-based resistance training program designed for older adults. Behaviour and Health: Evidence to Practice, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 10-12 February, 2005. Bundoora, Vic, Australia: ASBHM.
2005
Conference Publication
Is the CHAMPS physical activity questionnaire for older adults reliable in an older Australian sample?
Cyarto, E. V., Dickinson, R. K., Marshall, A. and Brown, W. J. (2005). Is the CHAMPS physical activity questionnaire for older adults reliable in an older Australian sample?. 2005 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sports, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 13-16 October, 2005. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.
2005
Journal Article
Prospective study of physical activity and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women
Brown, Wendy J., Ford, Jessica H., Burton, Nicola ., Marshall, Alison L. and Dobson, Annette J. (2005). Prospective study of physical activity and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 29 (4), 265-272. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2005.06.009
2005
Journal Article
Occupational sitting time and overweight and obesity in Australian workers
Mummery, W. K., Schofield, G. M., Steele, R., Eakin, E. G. and Brown, W. J. (2005). Occupational sitting time and overweight and obesity in Australian workers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 29 (2), 91-97. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2005.04.003
2005
Journal Article
International differences in management of physical activity data: Can they explain some of the difference in prevalence estimates?
Brown, W. J. and Miller, Y. D. (2005). International differences in management of physical activity data: Can they explain some of the difference in prevalence estimates?. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2 (4), 460-469. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2.4.460
2005
Conference Publication
Changes in cardiovascular health, well-being and physical activity: Results from a 12-week general practice based intervention
Armit, C. M., Brown, W. J., Marshall, A. and Ritchie, C. B. (2005). Changes in cardiovascular health, well-being and physical activity: Results from a 12-week general practice based intervention. 2005 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sports, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 13-16 October, 2005. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.
2005
Conference Publication
Relationships Between Occupational Sitting Time and Overweight and Obesity in Australian Workers
Mummery, K., Brown, W. J., Schofield, G., Eakin, E. and Steele, R. (2005). Relationships Between Occupational Sitting Time and Overweight and Obesity in Australian Workers. Third Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine Conference: Behaviour and Health: Evidence to Practice, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 10-12 February, 2005. Bundoora, Vic, Australia: ASBHM.
2004
Journal Article
Test-retest reliability of four physical activity measures used in population surveys
Brown, W. J., Trost, S. G., Bauman, A., Mummery, K. and Owen, N. (2004). Test-retest reliability of four physical activity measures used in population surveys. Journal of Science And Medicine In Sport, 7 (2), 205-215. doi: 10.1016/S1440-2440(04)80010-0
2004
Journal Article
Comparison of surveys used to measure physical activity
Brown, Wendy, Bauman, Adrian, Chey, Tien, Trost, Stewart and Mummery, Kerry (2004). Comparison of surveys used to measure physical activity. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 28 (2), 128-134. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-842X.2004.tb00925.x
2004
Conference Publication
Women and physical activity throughout the lifespan
Brown, W. J. (2004). Women and physical activity throughout the lifespan. Keeping the Dream Alive, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 6-9 July, 2004. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: ACHPER NSW.
2004
Conference Publication
Life-stage transitions and physical activity in Australian women
Brown, W. J. (2004). Life-stage transitions and physical activity in Australian women. Sport Science Through the Ages, Thessaloniki, Greece, 6-11 August, 2004. Greece: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
2004
Conference Publication
How much exercise do we need?
Brown, W. (2004). How much exercise do we need?. Controversies in Cardiology Medical Education Weekend, Gold Coast, Queensland, May 2004.
2004
Journal Article
Physical activity and health: Updating the evidence 2000-2003
Brown, W. J. (2004). Physical activity and health: Updating the evidence 2000-2003. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport: Physical Activity Supplement, 7 (1), 1-5. doi: 10.1016/s1440-2440(04)80272-x
2004
Conference Publication
A role for Qigong in the management of diabetes
Liu, X., Miller, Y. and Brown, W. (2004). A role for Qigong in the management of diabetes. 6th World Conference in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia, 29-31 October 2004.
2004
Conference Publication
Promoting physical activity to older adults in general practice
Armit, C. M., Brown, W. J., Ritchie, C. B., Marshall, A., Trost, S.G. and Green, A. (2004). Promoting physical activity to older adults in general practice. 2004 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport Hot topics from the Red Centre, Alice Springs Convention Centre Alice Springs, 6-9 October, 2004. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S1440-2440(04)80148-8
2004
Conference Publication
Just Walk It: A physical activity success story for Queensland
Foreman, R., Walsh, A., Brown, W., Marshall, A. and Abernethy, P. (2004). Just Walk It: A physical activity success story for Queensland. 4th Queensland Health and Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, Australia, 30 November-1 December 2004.
2004
Conference Publication
Australian longitudinal study of physical activity and women's health
Brown, W. (2004). Australian longitudinal study of physical activity and women's health. Physical Activity and Public Health 2004: A Postgraduate Course on Research Directions and Strategies and Community Interventions, Utah, U.S.A., September 2004.
2004
Journal Article
Steps and sitting in a working population
Miller, R. and Brown, W. (2004). Steps and sitting in a working population. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 11 (4), 219-224. doi: 10.1207/s15327558ijbm1104_5
2004
Conference Publication
Just walk it: a physical activity success story
Foreman, R. E., Walsh, A., Brown, W. J., Marshall, A. and Abernethy, P. (2004). Just walk it: a physical activity success story. 18th World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education, Melbourne, Australia, 26-30 April 2004. Paris, France: International Union for Health Promotion and Education.
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Wendy Brown is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Physical Activity and Reproductive Health Problems in Women
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gregore Iven Mielke
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Urinary incontinence in young to mid-aged women
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Emma Beckman
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Objective and subjective methods for measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour in older adults
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Master Philosophy
Physical Activity Patterns in Rural Australian Populations: An investigation of the relationship between location of residence and physical activity patterns
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring pole walking as a health enhancing physical activity for older adults
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Young women and weight gain: What is the role of patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour?
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Twelve month impact of the Just Walk It program on physical activity levels
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Older Australians and physical activity: measures, prevalence data, and issues
Principal Advisor
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
The efficacy of Tai Chi and Qigong in reducing indicators of risk of Type 2 diabetes in adults with elevated blood glucose
Principal Advisor
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN GENERAL PRACTICE: A RANDOMISED TRIAL TO TEST THE EFFICACY OF THREE STRATEGIES
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
PROACTIVE MUMS:PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG MOTHERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stewart Trost
-
Doctor Philosophy
COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF A HOME-BASED AND GROUP-BASED RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM ON THE FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND HEALTH OF OLDER AUSTRALIANS
Principal Advisor
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding differences in accumulation of device-measured physical activity in mid-aged adults: Does one size fit all?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gregore Iven Mielke
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Comparison of Low-Volume, High-Intensity Aerobic and Resistance Interval Training with Current Exercise Recommendations on Cardiometabolic Outcomes in People with Type 2 Diabetes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shelley Keating, Professor Jeff Coombes
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Physical activity in shift workers: building evidence to inform health promotion practice
Associate Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring and positively influencing physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adults with mental illness
Associate Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Physical activity patterns, attitudes and counselling among adults with mental illness
Associate Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding, describing and measuring workplace physical activity patterns in men from a regional area of Queensland, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicholas Gilson
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Occupational Sitting in Australian Office Workers: Measurement, Description and Strategies for Change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicholas Gilson
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Employee Presenteeism
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicholas Gilson
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF SINGAPOREAN ADOLESCENTS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stewart Trost
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING PEOPLE WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Abernethy, Professor Stewart Trost
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
INSULIN RESISTANCE AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN OBESE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stewart Trost
Media
Enquiries
Contact Emeritus Professor Wendy Brown directly for media enquiries about:
- Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
- Energy balance and weigh gain prevention
- Physical activity
- Sedentary behaviour and health
- Weight management
- Women's health
- Workplace health promotion
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: