The University of Western Australia

Asst/Prof Karen Martin

Research Assistant Professor
School of Population Health

Contact details

Address

School of Population Health
The University of Western Australia (M431)
35 Stirling Highway
CRAWLEY WA 6009
Australia

Phone

6488 1267

Fax

6488 1188

Email

karen.martin@uwa.edu.au

Qualifications

BSc PhD W.Aust.

Biography

Karen’s PhD investigated children’s school time physical activity, and her research focus continues to be children’s health. She was a chief investigator on the 2008 Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANs) and worked previously on a project investigating children’s food consumption at school. Karen has undertaken consultancies for government agencies on the benefits of physical activity for children’s physical, mental and social health, and learning. She has a keen interest on how the current culture of extended sedentary activity is impacting upon children’s well-being and is passionate about creating opportunities for children to play in outdoor and natural settings. Karen is interesed in exploring innovative strategies to improve the health of disadvantaged children.

Key research

Children's physical activity in the school setting (PhD).

Treat or trap: child and parents' perceptions of food in the school environment.

Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANS) 2008.

Child's play; child, parent and stakeholders' perspectives of playspace.

Relationship between children's learning, behaviour and development and physical activity.

Benefits of nature for children.

Loneliness for children: building a model for mental health promotion

Publications

1.Martin K, Rosenberg, M, Miller, M, Tartaglia J and Shields B. 2011, Western Australian Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition (Capans) Survey 2008 Study Protocol, The University of Western Australia, Perth.
2.Martin K, 2010 Brain boost: Sport and physical activity enhance children’s learning, Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia, Perth.
3.Rosenberg M, Mills C, McCormack G, Martin K, Grove B, Pratt S and Braham R. 2010, Physical Activity Levels of Western Australian Adults 2009: Findings from the Physical Activity Taskforce Adult Physical Activity Survey. Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, The University of Western Australia, Perth.
Published papers and abstracts
4.Trapp G, Giles-Corti B, Martin K, Villanueva V, Timperio A, Conducting field research in a primary school setting: methodological considerations for maximising response rates, data quality and quantity. Health Ed J In Press
5.Martin K, French S, Rosenberg M, Miller M et al 2010, Move and Munch; Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANS) 2008; Full Report.
6.Martin K, French S, Rosenberg M, Miller M. 2010 ,Move and Munch; Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANS) 2008; Key Findings.
7.Martin K, 2007Association Between Participation in Organised Community Sport and Recreation and Academic Achievement National Physical Activity Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, October 2007 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 2007 (Supplement1) 10(1):149
8.Martin K, Giles-Corti B, Rosenberg M, McCaul K, Salmon J, 2005 Active Schools = Active Kids, Fifth National Physical Activity Conference Melbourne, 2005 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 2005 (Supplement) 8(4):249
9.McCormack G, Giles-Corti B, Lange A., Smith T, Martin K, Pikora T. An update of recent evidence of the relationship between objective and self-report measures of the physical environment and physical activity behaviours. J of Science & Med in Sport. 2004; 7 (1 Suppl): 81-92.
10.Kristjanson L, McPhee I, Pickstock S, Wilson D, Oldham L, Martin K. Palliative care nurses’ perceptions of good and bad deaths and care expectations: a qualitative analysis. Int J of Palliat Nurs 2001; 7 (3): 128-40
11.McNamara B, Martin K, Waddell C, Yuen K. Palliative care in a multicultural society: perceptions of health care professionals. Palliat Med 1997; 11 (5): 359-67
12.Capes D, Martin K and Underwood R. Performance of a restrictive flow device and an electronic syringe driver for continuous subcutaneous infusion J of Pain Sympt Manag. 1997; 14 (4): 210-7
13.Stacey B, Martin K, Underwood R. A continuum of palliative care: reflections on an Australian model of care. J Palliat Care 1997; 13 (2): 45-9
14.Dean A, Martin K, Yuen K, Olham L, Ewence K. Morphine and clonazepam combinations in the Springfusor 30 infusion device (letter) Palliat Med 1997; 11(3): 256
15.Porock D, Martin K, Oldham, L, Underwood R. Relocation stress syndrome: the case of palliative care patients Palliat Med 1997; 11 (6): 444-60

Funding received

Martin K, Wood L, Carter M. Childs Play - Factors that Encourage Play in Neighbourhood Parks & Playgrounds, Healthway Starter Grant, $30 000
Wood L, Martin K, Child’s Play Exploration of the factors that encourage play in neighbourhood parks and playgrounds. Kings Park and Botanical Gardens $10 000
Rosenberg M, Martin K, Mills C, Braham R, McCormack G, Graham V, Grove R. Physical Activity Adult Survey Department of Sport and Recreation, Premier’s Physical Activity Taskforce 2009 $164 945
Rosenberg M, Martin K, Miller M. Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey: 2008
Department of Sport and Recreation, Premier’s Physical Activity Taskforce 2008 $546 908
Wood L, Martin K, Rosenberg M. Treat or Trap Healthway Starter Grant 2007 $19 949
Martin K, Doctor of Philosophy Scholarship Healthway 2004-2007
Martin K, Giles-Corti B. The ACTIVE Schools Project The Department of Education and Training, Government of Western Australia 2006 $60 000
Giles-Corti B, Martin K, Accelerometer and support equipment National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) Equipment Grant 2005 $21 411
Martin K, Giles-Corti B, McCaul K, Salmon J. School Environment and Policy Correlates of Physical Activity in Schools, Healthway 2004 $19 624
Kristjanson L, Martin K, McPhee I, Pickstock S, Wilson D. Palliative Care Nurse's Perception of a "Good Death" and Care Expectations: A Qualitative Analysis Olive Anstey Nursing Fund Incorporated 1998-1999 $5 578
Waddell C, Yuen K, McNamara B, Martin K, Ethnic Diversity in Dying, Death and Bereavement and the Delivery of Culturally Appropriate Care Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health: Research and Development Grants 1997 $33 726

Industrial relevance

Project industry partners:
Department of Education, Government of Western Australia
Physical activity Taskforce
Department of Sport and Recreation
Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority

Useful links

Loneliness in children; sph.uwa.edu.au/research/cbeh/projects/trek2
Child's Play; sph.uwa.edu.au/research/cbeh/projects/childsplay
Nature benefits for children;
Summary: sph.uwa.edu.au/research/cbeh/projects/?a=1617547 Full report:natureplaywa.org.au/putting-nature-back-into-nurture-the-benefits-of-nature-for-children
Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANS) 2008; beactive.wa.gov.au/resources_research_capans.asp
Treat or trap; sph.uwa.edu.au/research/cbeh/projects/tot

Research profile

Research profile and publications