Picture books as a strategy to promote vegetable intake in pre-school aged children
This PhD builds on an emerging program of research investigating the use of vegetable picture books to promote healthy eating in early childhood.
At the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, we think of our PhD students as the research stars of the future.
We are committed to providing our PhD students with a supportive, positive and successful path to achieving their PhD.
Scroll down to find our current PhD opportunities.
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Find a research supervisor
Search for the topic that you’re interested in researching and discover all the possible supervisors within the Faculty of Health that could help you further your research career goals.
Current opportunities
Opportunities are currently available for domestic and international students currently residing in Australia.
Cotutelle PhDs – A cotutelle program is a PhD that is undertaken across two universities in two different countries. Deakin has cotutelle arrangements with several international universities. Students are co-enrolled and co-supervised by both universities. The PhD student is required to spend a period of time at both universities, then will graduate from both universities.
You can find our current cotutelle opportunities listed here, or for more information about the process see Cotutelle PhD Program | Deakin
Commercial infant and toddler foods and children’s food preferences
The first two years of life are a critical period for establishing healthy eating habits and food preferences, and with increasing availability and marketing of commercial foods for infants and young children, this PhD project explores why parents choose these products and how their use influences children's eating habits .
Digital health approaches to support and deliver the Mediterranean diet in cancer survivors
This PhD project aim to investigate how digital health interventions can be designed to support Mediterranean diet adherence in cancer survivors, with a focus on real-world feasibility, engagement, and meaningful health outcomes.
Understanding screen use in the toddler years
This PhD aims to explore the different ways toddlers use screens (e.g. tablets, smartphones, TVs), how this impacts on their development and how parents may influence this. The PhD will work towards the development of strategies for parents to promote their toddlers’ healthy screen use behaviours.
Understanding the metabolic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and exercise for patients with heart failure
This world first study will aim to better understand the metabolic impacts of GLP-1 treatments and effects of exercise in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Intelligent Information Systems for Enhancing Implementation and Sustainability of Physical Activity Interventions
This PhD will combine implementation science and information systems, to explore new ways of improving implementation and sustainability of physical activity interventions in real world contexts.
Exploring the process, challenges and impacts of school greening interventions in high-needs and mainstream primary schools
This PhD project will be nested within a larger project “Green Schools” which is exploring the process, challenges and impacts of real-life indoor and outdoor greening interventions at high-needs and mainstream primary schools in Victoria, Australia. This project will involve co-design with industry, school staff and students to design the greening interventions, as well as collaboration with industry throughout the life of the project. It will explore the barriers and enablers to green space innovation in this setting and help guide future greening projects.
Neural adaptations to exercise, nutritional, and pharmacological interventions in ageing and disease
This PhD project aims to use state-of-the-art technology, including High-Density Electromyography, to better understand the effects of acute and chronic exercise, nutritional, and/or pharmacological interventions on cortico-motor neuronal adaptations in ageing and disease. Additionally, it seeks to understand the potential contribution of neural adaptations to improvements in motor control and muscular strength in these populations.
The influence of muscle mass in estimated energy requirement in cancer
This PhD project aims to evaluate the influence of muscle mass, and proxies for predicting muscle mass, in estimated energy requirements in cancer.
Understanding healthy fat consumption in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Diet is one of the cornerstones of type 2 diabetes management and healthy dietary fats are known to provide several metabolic benefits. However, the relationship between recommendations from healthcare professionals, patients’ perceptions and consumption of healthy fats is not well understood.
Is park visitation associated with reduced stress levels?
We are currently undertaking research on park visitation in urban environments and we are interested in measuring the impact of park visitation on stress levels. In this project, the PhD student will start by undertaking a systematic review of the literature on the impact of exposure to natural outdoor environments on physiological and psychological stress levels. The student will then design and conduct one or more experiments among park users.
Our research areas
Learn how we’re focused on finding innovative solutions in active living, sport, food and nutrition. Explore how we’re translating scientific findings into practical applications.