Early childhood is a critical period for establishing healthy eating habits and food preferences. This PhD builds on an emerging program of research investigating the use of vegetable picture books to promote healthy eating in early childhood.
Repeated exposure is one of the most effective strategies for increasing children’s acceptance of vegetables and other healthy foods. However, traditional repeated exposure (offering a food 10 or more time) can create frustration, food waste and conflict at mealtimes. As a result, many families find these approaches difficult to implement consistently.
Picture books offer a promising alternative by providing repeated, positive exposure to healthy foods in an enjoyable and engaging way. Emerging evidence suggests that picture books may help improve children’s vegetable intake. However, there is still much to learn about how picture book interventions can be designed, implemented and translated into real-world settings to support healthy eating in young children.
Working alongside an experienced multidisciplinary research team, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to this growing area of research and help shape the direction of the project.
The final PhD project will be developed collaboratively with the successful candidate and the supervisory team.
Supervisors
Location
Burwood or GEelong
Eligibility criteria
- The opportunity is open to domestic students only
- Applicants must meet Deakin’s PhD entry requirements, be enrolling full time and hold an Honours degree (First Class) or an equivalent standard Master’s degree with a substantial research component (including a Thesis component). Please refer to the entry pathways to higher degrees by research for further information.
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree with Honours or a Master’s degree with research component in health promotion, public health, psychology, nutrition science/dietetics, education, literature, children’s literature, or related field.
- Interest, basic skills or expertise in statistics, mathematics and/or quantitative analysis
- Interest in, or understanding of, qualitative approaches
- Good written and interpersonal communication skills
- Good attention to detail
- Initiative, problem-solving, and self-management skills
- Willingness to work with a multidisciplinary team
Key dates and other information
Please email your CV and a 1-page expression of interest by Friday 4 September.
Your CV/expression of interest should explicitly state how you meet all the prerequisites: https://www.deakin.edu.au/research/research-degrees/research-degree-entry-requirements and include:
- Qualifications, dates of completion, and thesis grade
- List of any peer review publications
- Previous research or relevant practice experience
- A copy of honours or masters thesis
We will work with a suitably qualified applicant to apply for scholarship funding in Oct 2026 round for 2027 commencement.