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Although physical activity (PA) interventions are widely studied, few are successfully implemented and sustained in community or healthcare settings, and when they are, they often fail to reach the populations who need them the most. The challenge lies less in what works to get people moving more and more in how to make what works effective in practice. Implementation science provides frameworks to bridge this gap, but the field remains complex, fragmented, and difficult for practitioners to apply consistently.

Information systems—structured ways of collecting, organising, and using data—offer an untapped opportunity to strengthen implementation science. Well-designed systems can help practitioners and policymakers navigate evidence, adapt interventions to context, and monitor implementation and sustainability processes over time. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may play a role in enhancing these systems, but the foundation lies in developing information structures that are accessible, usable, and grounded in real-world practice.

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.

This interdisciplinary PhD will leverage information systems research to enhance the implementation of physical activity interventions in real world settings. Specifically, it will involve:

1. developing an implementation science ontology to, systematically organise, synthesise, and apply implementation science theories for more effective and equitable implementation
2. developing a system prototype that helps practitioners and policymakers apply evidence in practice
3. evaluating the usability and effectiveness of the prototype in practice settings

This project is highly interdisciplinary, offering training and mentorship within physical activity promotion, implementation science, and information systems. The candidate will gain experience in both theory-building and empirical research, with opportunities for national and international collaboration.

Eligibility and Requirements:

The opportunity is open to domestic and international students. To be considered, applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following:

• Completion of a degree at Level 8 or 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework, with a minimum overall grade equivalent to a Deakin grade of 70%.
• The qualifying degree must include a research component equivalent to 25% of the final year’s full-time study and be in health promotion, implementation science, public health, nutrition or exercise science. If the degree was not completed in the last 5 years, relevant professional experience needs to be demonstrated.
• The research component must include a dissertation or equivalent assessed outputs, with a minimum achievement grade equivalent to a Deakin grade of 70%.
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative methodology.
• Fluency in verbal and written English (evidence of English proficiency is required), highly motivated and able to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Previous research or practice-based experience in artificial intelligence, information systems is desirable.
• Please refer to the entry pathways to higher degrees by research for further information.

Important:

In your first email of enquiry, please attach:

• Official academic transcript (with grading scale)
• Details of the research dissertation (weighting, grade, and length)
• Previous research or relevant practice experience
• Enquiries without this evidence cannot be considered.

Key dates and other information

• Start date: We are looking for a suitable candidate to start as soon as possible.
• Scholarship: We will work with suitably qualified applicants to apply for scholarship funding.
• To apply: Refer to our How to apply webpage for more information.