The University of Western Australia
W/Prof Billie Giles-Corti
Winthrop Professor/Director, Centre for the Built Environment and Health
Contact details
| Address | School of Population Health The University of Western Australia (M707) 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009 Australia |
|---|---|
| Phone | 6488 1257 |
| Fax | 6488 1199 |
| Billie.Giles-Corti@uwa.edu.au |
Biography
Professor Billie Giles-Corti is Director of the Centre for the Built Environment and Health at the School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia and an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow. For more than a decade, she and a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and post-graduate research students have been studying the impact of the built environment on health, social and health behavior outcomes including walking, cycling, public transport use, overweight and obesity, social capital and dog walking. A leading health promotion researcher in Australia and recognized internationally for her research on the built form, Professor Giles-Corti collaborates with researchers at Deakin University, University of Queensland, QUT, Stanford University, University of British Colombia and Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada. She serves on numerous international, national and state committees and boards. In 2007, she was awarded a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award that enabled her spend four months at Stanford University, USA.
Key research
- Urban design and health behaviours (physical activity) and health outcomes (mental health, obesity)
- Social determinants of health
Major research interests
- Urban design—impact on health
- Urban design—impact on physical activity
- Social capital, mental health and the environment
- Social ecological research
Qualifications
BAppSc W.A.I.T., MAppSc Curtin, PhD W.Aust.
Roles, responsibilities and expertise
Professor
Director of the NHMRC Centre for the Built Environment and Health
Longitudinal studies evaluating the impact of the built environment and health
Director of the NHMRC Centre for the Built Environment and Health
Longitudinal studies evaluating the impact of the built environment and health
Future research
The impact of the built environment across the life course
Funding received
International grants
1. Shiell A, Giles-Corti B, Auld MC, Smithers WL, Friedenreich CM. Eco-EUFORIA. Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2007-2009: Cnd. $593,644 (2007: $269,032; 2008: $220,583; 2009: 104,029)
Nationally competitive grants (NHMRC, NHF, ARC)
1. Giles-Corti B. Research Fellowship NHMRC 2008-2012. #503712 $575,000.
2. Turrell G, Oldenburg B, Giles-Corti B, Burton N, Giskes K, Haynes M, Brown W. A longitudinal multilevel study of change in physical activity in mid-age and factors associated with change. NHMRC #497236. 2008-2010. $705,000
3. Sly P, Franklin P, McMichael T, Hanna E, Giles-Corti B, Immig J. Children’s environmental health in Australia: Setting a research agenda. ARACY ARC/NHMRC Research Network Seeding Grant Program. $39,566.
4. Giles-Corti B, Knuiman M, Almedia O, Van Niel K, Donovan RJ, Durack R, Affleck F, Zubrick S. The impact of urban design on physical and mental health: Building capacity for research across the life course. NHMRC #458668: 2007-2011, $2,067,750 ($413,550/year).
5. Giles-Corti B, Sheill A, Geelhoed E, Beggs S, Pikora T. EcoRESIDE: An economic evaluation of urban design as a means of promoting physical activity and health. NHMRC # 458768: 2007-2009, $363,875 (2007: $141,875; 2008: $113,500; 2009: $108,500).
6. Giles-Corti B, Van Niel K, Timperio A, Pikora T, McCormack G. The impact of urban design on active transportation patterns in children. NHMRC #403933: 2006-2008, $355,000 (2006: $126,000; $119,000, $109,000).
7. Giles-Corti B. NHMRC/NHF Partnership Career Development Award, NHMRC/NHF #254688, 2003-2008. $417,000.
8. Clifford RM, Everett AW, Giles-Corti B. Weight management. Pharmacy Guild of Australia. 2005. $175,000.
9. Turrell G, Oldenburg B, Giles-Corti B, Burton N, Leslie E. A multi-level study of socioeconomic position and physical activity: environmental and individual-level determinants. NHMRC #339718: 2005-2006, $426,500 (2005: $325,750, 2006: $100,750).
10. Giles-Corti B, Van Neil K, Knuiman M, Kenworthy J, Bulsara M. Timperio A. De Villiers P. Sustainability and urban design: An evaluation of the impact of liveable neighbourhoods. ARC Linkage Grant. # LP0455453: 2004-2007, $382,000 ($67,855, $138,675, $123,194, $52,374).
11. Crawford D, Salmon K, Timperio A, Ball K, Giles-Corti B, Baur L, Contextual influences on children's and adolescent's physical activity, NHMRC Project Grant #274309: 2004-2006, $158,000, $108 000, $168 000.
12. Crawford, Salmon, Timperio, Ball, Giles-Corti, Baur. An examination of the importance of the neighbourhood environment on children's physical activity. Financial Markets Foundation for Children 2003-2004: $98,000.
13. Giles-Corti B. NHMRC/NHF Partnership Career Development Award, NHMRC/NHF #254688: 2003-2008 $417,000.
14. English DR, Cross D, Corti B, Milne E, Kidskin: an intervention to reduce sun exposure in children NHMRC #110221: 2000-2002, $352,675 (2000 $101449; 2001 $169564; 2002 $81662).
15. Corti B, Bull F, Donovan RJ, Clarkson J, Jamrozik K, Knuiman M. Physical environmental factors that influence transport related and recreational walking and cycling. NHMRC #9937753, 1999-2001: $176,994 (1999 $60,398; 2000 $92,901; 2001 $23,695).
16. English D, Cross D, Corti B. Reducing sun exposure in children, Program Grant, PHRDC (NHMRC) #954601: 1995-1999, $759,855 ($144,574 1995, $145,437 1996, $148,993 1997, $147,942 1998, 172,909 1999).
17. Saunders B, Corti B, Phillips M. Self regulation of alcoholic beverage advertising. Department of Community Services and Health, 1988: $35,135.
18. Corti B, Binns CW, Howat PA, Blaze-Temple D. Women, Drugs and Alcohol: Risk Factors and Health Beliefs. Department of Community Services and Health, 1986: $34,000.
State competitive grants (Healthway)
1. Wood L, Giles-Corti B. Visiting Research Fellow. Healthway. 2008: $35,000
2. Giles-Corti B, Knuiman M, Delaney J, Bull F, Pikora T. Liveable neighbourhoods: do they increase physical activity? Healthway, #11828: 2003-2007: $574,000.
3. Wood LJ, Giles-Corti B, Pennebaker D, Pikora T, Knuiman M Social capital, sense of community and mental health: how do these relate to each other and the environments in which people live? Healthway. #10555: 2003 $50,000.
4. Giles-Corti B, Pikora T, Bull F, Bulsara M. What factors influence active-commuting in University staff and students? Healthway, #11851: 2003: $56,000.
5. Wood LJ, Giles-Corti B, Williams AA, Mackay SM, Social capital, physical environments and health Healthway, #9304: 2000-2002: $19,000.
6. Clarkson JP, Corti B and Donovan RJ. A Study of Smoking Promotion in the Mass Media Healthway, #6811: 1999-2001: $166,092.
1. Shiell A, Giles-Corti B, Auld MC, Smithers WL, Friedenreich CM. Eco-EUFORIA. Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2007-2009: Cnd. $593,644 (2007: $269,032; 2008: $220,583; 2009: 104,029)
Nationally competitive grants (NHMRC, NHF, ARC)
1. Giles-Corti B. Research Fellowship NHMRC 2008-2012. #503712 $575,000.
2. Turrell G, Oldenburg B, Giles-Corti B, Burton N, Giskes K, Haynes M, Brown W. A longitudinal multilevel study of change in physical activity in mid-age and factors associated with change. NHMRC #497236. 2008-2010. $705,000
3. Sly P, Franklin P, McMichael T, Hanna E, Giles-Corti B, Immig J. Children’s environmental health in Australia: Setting a research agenda. ARACY ARC/NHMRC Research Network Seeding Grant Program. $39,566.
4. Giles-Corti B, Knuiman M, Almedia O, Van Niel K, Donovan RJ, Durack R, Affleck F, Zubrick S. The impact of urban design on physical and mental health: Building capacity for research across the life course. NHMRC #458668: 2007-2011, $2,067,750 ($413,550/year).
5. Giles-Corti B, Sheill A, Geelhoed E, Beggs S, Pikora T. EcoRESIDE: An economic evaluation of urban design as a means of promoting physical activity and health. NHMRC # 458768: 2007-2009, $363,875 (2007: $141,875; 2008: $113,500; 2009: $108,500).
6. Giles-Corti B, Van Niel K, Timperio A, Pikora T, McCormack G. The impact of urban design on active transportation patterns in children. NHMRC #403933: 2006-2008, $355,000 (2006: $126,000; $119,000, $109,000).
7. Giles-Corti B. NHMRC/NHF Partnership Career Development Award, NHMRC/NHF #254688, 2003-2008. $417,000.
8. Clifford RM, Everett AW, Giles-Corti B. Weight management. Pharmacy Guild of Australia. 2005. $175,000.
9. Turrell G, Oldenburg B, Giles-Corti B, Burton N, Leslie E. A multi-level study of socioeconomic position and physical activity: environmental and individual-level determinants. NHMRC #339718: 2005-2006, $426,500 (2005: $325,750, 2006: $100,750).
10. Giles-Corti B, Van Neil K, Knuiman M, Kenworthy J, Bulsara M. Timperio A. De Villiers P. Sustainability and urban design: An evaluation of the impact of liveable neighbourhoods. ARC Linkage Grant. # LP0455453: 2004-2007, $382,000 ($67,855, $138,675, $123,194, $52,374).
11. Crawford D, Salmon K, Timperio A, Ball K, Giles-Corti B, Baur L, Contextual influences on children's and adolescent's physical activity, NHMRC Project Grant #274309: 2004-2006, $158,000, $108 000, $168 000.
12. Crawford, Salmon, Timperio, Ball, Giles-Corti, Baur. An examination of the importance of the neighbourhood environment on children's physical activity. Financial Markets Foundation for Children 2003-2004: $98,000.
13. Giles-Corti B. NHMRC/NHF Partnership Career Development Award, NHMRC/NHF #254688: 2003-2008 $417,000.
14. English DR, Cross D, Corti B, Milne E, Kidskin: an intervention to reduce sun exposure in children NHMRC #110221: 2000-2002, $352,675 (2000 $101449; 2001 $169564; 2002 $81662).
15. Corti B, Bull F, Donovan RJ, Clarkson J, Jamrozik K, Knuiman M. Physical environmental factors that influence transport related and recreational walking and cycling. NHMRC #9937753, 1999-2001: $176,994 (1999 $60,398; 2000 $92,901; 2001 $23,695).
16. English D, Cross D, Corti B. Reducing sun exposure in children, Program Grant, PHRDC (NHMRC) #954601: 1995-1999, $759,855 ($144,574 1995, $145,437 1996, $148,993 1997, $147,942 1998, 172,909 1999).
17. Saunders B, Corti B, Phillips M. Self regulation of alcoholic beverage advertising. Department of Community Services and Health, 1988: $35,135.
18. Corti B, Binns CW, Howat PA, Blaze-Temple D. Women, Drugs and Alcohol: Risk Factors and Health Beliefs. Department of Community Services and Health, 1986: $34,000.
State competitive grants (Healthway)
1. Wood L, Giles-Corti B. Visiting Research Fellow. Healthway. 2008: $35,000
2. Giles-Corti B, Knuiman M, Delaney J, Bull F, Pikora T. Liveable neighbourhoods: do they increase physical activity? Healthway, #11828: 2003-2007: $574,000.
3. Wood LJ, Giles-Corti B, Pennebaker D, Pikora T, Knuiman M Social capital, sense of community and mental health: how do these relate to each other and the environments in which people live? Healthway. #10555: 2003 $50,000.
4. Giles-Corti B, Pikora T, Bull F, Bulsara M. What factors influence active-commuting in University staff and students? Healthway, #11851: 2003: $56,000.
5. Wood LJ, Giles-Corti B, Williams AA, Mackay SM, Social capital, physical environments and health Healthway, #9304: 2000-2002: $19,000.
6. Clarkson JP, Corti B and Donovan RJ. A Study of Smoking Promotion in the Mass Media Healthway, #6811: 1999-2001: $166,092.
Industrial relevance
Relevant to a number of sectors including: planning, transportation planning, property developers, environment and health
Languages
None
Memberships
International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Committee Member, South Western Pacific Regional Committee (2004-current )
Public Health Association of Australia and New Zealand. President, WA Branch, 1997-1998. Committee Member, WA Branch Treasure, 1992-1994. Committee Member, PHA's 1992 Health Promotion Evaluation Conference Organising Committee. Secretary, Women's Health Special Interest Group, 1988-1989.
Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals. Executive Committee member 1988-1989.
Honorary Life Member, Curtin Alumni Association.
Public Health Association of Australia and New Zealand. President, WA Branch, 1997-1998. Committee Member, WA Branch Treasure, 1992-1994. Committee Member, PHA's 1992 Health Promotion Evaluation Conference Organising Committee. Secretary, Women's Health Special Interest Group, 1988-1989.
Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals. Executive Committee member 1988-1989.
Honorary Life Member, Curtin Alumni Association.
Honours and awards
2008 Healthway Award in recognition of excellence in health promotion for the RESIDE project. Category: Research project grants targeting priority health issues or priority population groups: My role: Principal Investigator 2003-2008
2008 NHMRC Research Fellowship
2007 Fulbright Senior Scholar Award. In recognition of high academic and professional merit (Australian-American Fulbright Commission).
2006 Healthway Award Finalist. In recognition of excellence in health promotion for the Active Commuting Project. Category: research project grants targeting priority health issues or priority population groups. My role: Principal investigator.
2003 President’s Award in recognition of a distinguished contribution to the work of the National Heart Foundation of Australia (WA Division).
2003 NHMRC/NHF Career Development Award
2002 UWA awarded Australian University Teaching Award for its innovative and practical approach to the provision of educational services to the local and/or regional community in the Great Southern Region (UWA Albany Centre). (I was Foundation Director of the Centre 1999-2001).
2000 City of Albany and The University of Western Australia finalist in the Services to Remote and Rural Communities Category of the Premier’s awards. The application was based on the UWA Albany Centre. (I was Foundation Director of the Centre 1999-2001).
2000 Healthway and the Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, The University of Western Australia, finalist
In the Quality Management Category of the Premier’s awards. The application was based on
Healthway’s system evaluation which was designed by HPEU and commenced in 1992. (I was
Senior consultant with HPEU 1992-1994, Assistant Director 1995, Director 1996-1999 and
continue my association as a consultant).
1998 Public Health Association Prize for outstanding postgraduate student.
1996 Healthway PhD Scholarship (not accepted).
1989 Public Health Association Prize for best overall performance in Curtin University of Technology's
post graduate Public Health degree course.
1986 Alumni Medal for outstanding post graduate student, Curtin University of Technology, 1986.
2008 NHMRC Research Fellowship
2007 Fulbright Senior Scholar Award. In recognition of high academic and professional merit (Australian-American Fulbright Commission).
2006 Healthway Award Finalist. In recognition of excellence in health promotion for the Active Commuting Project. Category: research project grants targeting priority health issues or priority population groups. My role: Principal investigator.
2003 President’s Award in recognition of a distinguished contribution to the work of the National Heart Foundation of Australia (WA Division).
2003 NHMRC/NHF Career Development Award
2002 UWA awarded Australian University Teaching Award for its innovative and practical approach to the provision of educational services to the local and/or regional community in the Great Southern Region (UWA Albany Centre). (I was Foundation Director of the Centre 1999-2001).
2000 City of Albany and The University of Western Australia finalist in the Services to Remote and Rural Communities Category of the Premier’s awards. The application was based on the UWA Albany Centre. (I was Foundation Director of the Centre 1999-2001).
2000 Healthway and the Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, The University of Western Australia, finalist
In the Quality Management Category of the Premier’s awards. The application was based on
Healthway’s system evaluation which was designed by HPEU and commenced in 1992. (I was
Senior consultant with HPEU 1992-1994, Assistant Director 1995, Director 1996-1999 and
continue my association as a consultant).
1998 Public Health Association Prize for outstanding postgraduate student.
1996 Healthway PhD Scholarship (not accepted).
1989 Public Health Association Prize for best overall performance in Curtin University of Technology's
post graduate Public Health degree course.
1986 Alumni Medal for outstanding post graduate student, Curtin University of Technology, 1986.
Previous positions
Foundation Director, Centre for the Built Environment and Health, The University of Western Australia, 2007-current
Professor (since 2005), NHMRC/NHF Career Development Award Fellow (2003-2007), NHMRC Research Fellow (since 2008), School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia
Associate Professor (Health Promotion), School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, 2001-2002. (Sabbatical and long service leave in 2001)
Foundation Director, UWA Albany Centre, Albany. 1999-2001.
Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion, Department of Public Health, The University of Western Australia, 1998-2001 (0.2 FTE 1999-2001) and 1996-1997 I was Lecturer in Health Promotion.
Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, Department of Public Health (now known as School of Population Health), The University of Western Australia. 1992-2008.
National Education Manager, National Heart Foundation of Australia, Canberra, 1990-1992.
Professor (since 2005), NHMRC/NHF Career Development Award Fellow (2003-2007), NHMRC Research Fellow (since 2008), School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia
Associate Professor (Health Promotion), School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, 2001-2002. (Sabbatical and long service leave in 2001)
Foundation Director, UWA Albany Centre, Albany. 1999-2001.
Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion, Department of Public Health, The University of Western Australia, 1998-2001 (0.2 FTE 1999-2001) and 1996-1997 I was Lecturer in Health Promotion.
Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, Department of Public Health (now known as School of Population Health), The University of Western Australia. 1992-2008.
National Education Manager, National Heart Foundation of Australia, Canberra, 1990-1992.
Patents
None
Teaching
Health Promotion 1 – Master of Public Health Program(1)
Health Promotion 2 – Master of Public Health Program
Health Research Methods – Master of Public Health program
Behavioural Research in Public Health – Master of Public Health(1)
Health Promotion 302 – Bachelor of Health Science(2)
Health Research Design 205 – Bachelor of Health Science(2)
(1) I developed this unit.
(2) I developed this unit in consultation with colleagues.
Health Promotion 2 – Master of Public Health Program
Health Research Methods – Master of Public Health program
Behavioural Research in Public Health – Master of Public Health(1)
Health Promotion 302 – Bachelor of Health Science(2)
Health Research Design 205 – Bachelor of Health Science(2)
(1) I developed this unit.
(2) I developed this unit in consultation with colleagues.
Current external positions
International
• Expert Panel Member, European Project ALPHA, 2008-ongoing.
• Guest Editor, Journal of Health Policy, for special issue on the built environment and physical activity (associated with the Active Living Research Conference to be held in Washington DC April 2008).
• External Examiner, Defence PhD Committee, Ellen Haug, University of Bergen, Norway. September 2008.
• Reviewer, Active Living Policy and Environmental Studies (ALPES), San Diego. (Robert Wood Johnson funded research program) 2002-2004 (One per year).
• External Examiner, Oral Defence PhD Committee, Jennifer Robertson-Wilson, Queens University. July 2006.
• Member, International Reference Group, Scottish Physical Activity Research Collaboration (SPARColl). Strathclyde, Scotland, UK, 2005-current.
• Affiliate Member, Centre for Social and Physical Environments and Health, Markin Institute, Unversity of Calgary. 2006-current.
National
•• Member, NHF, National Physical Activity Committee, 2003-current (Chair from 2007).
State involvement
• Member, Premier’s Physical Activity Task Force, Premier & Cabinet, 2001-current.
• Member, Board, National Heart Foundation 2002-current.
• Chair, Cardiovascular Health Committee, National Heart Foundation 2002-2007.
• Expert Panel Member, European Project ALPHA, 2008-ongoing.
• Guest Editor, Journal of Health Policy, for special issue on the built environment and physical activity (associated with the Active Living Research Conference to be held in Washington DC April 2008).
• External Examiner, Defence PhD Committee, Ellen Haug, University of Bergen, Norway. September 2008.
• Reviewer, Active Living Policy and Environmental Studies (ALPES), San Diego. (Robert Wood Johnson funded research program) 2002-2004 (One per year).
• External Examiner, Oral Defence PhD Committee, Jennifer Robertson-Wilson, Queens University. July 2006.
• Member, International Reference Group, Scottish Physical Activity Research Collaboration (SPARColl). Strathclyde, Scotland, UK, 2005-current.
• Affiliate Member, Centre for Social and Physical Environments and Health, Markin Institute, Unversity of Calgary. 2006-current.
National
•• Member, NHF, National Physical Activity Committee, 2003-current (Chair from 2007).
State involvement
• Member, Premier’s Physical Activity Task Force, Premier & Cabinet, 2001-current.
• Member, Board, National Heart Foundation 2002-current.
• Chair, Cardiovascular Health Committee, National Heart Foundation 2002-2007.
Current projects
RESIDE: longitudinal natural experiment evaluating the state government's Liveable Neighbourhood Guidelines
TREK - Assessing the potential for children to walk to school.
Eco-RESIDE - Assessing the economic utility of creating more pedestrian friendly neighbourhoods
HABITAT - The impact of urban design on physical activity (a longitudinal study)
TREK - Assessing the potential for children to walk to school.
Eco-RESIDE - Assessing the economic utility of creating more pedestrian friendly neighbourhoods
HABITAT - The impact of urban design on physical activity (a longitudinal study)
RFCD
321206
Research profile
