Research Fellow
BHSc (Hons), PhD
Karen is a Research Fellow with the Healing Kids, Healing Families team, working across a number of projects looking at the ways we can identify, target, intervene and improve the lives of children and young people who have experienced trauma. She is currently working on an intervention to improve the psychological recovery of children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
Karen completed her PhD in 2018, designing, implementing and evaluating of the impact of a body image professional development program for Early Childhood Educators. Her past roles have included investigating diverse research areas including COVID-19; social and emotional wellbeing and the arts; and a collaboration with other early career researchers to explore the ways in which health is depicted on social media.
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Projects
The DETECT-Schools Study was launched in May 2020 as a partnership between the WA Government Departments of Education and Health with the Telethon Kids Institute.
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Publications
June 2024
Where are the alcohol advertising hotspots near schools?
Physically locating liquor stores near schools can strongly influence the chances of youth accessing and consuming alcohol, and may also increase children's exposure to alcohol advertising. Investigating the association between the presence of a liquor store near a school and the prevalence of outdoor alcohol advertising is crucial from a policy perspective, as it can inform future regulations on the placement of liquor stores and outdoor advertising near educational institutions.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Child Physical Activity, Health and DevelopmentMay 2024‘Black Out Rage Gallon’ (aka borg): An investigation of a risky drinking trend on TikTok
A 'Black Out Rage Gallon' (borg) is a customised, individual alcoholic beverage popularised on TikTok, whereby half the water in a gallon jug is replaced with alcohol (usually spirits), flavourings, electrolytes and caffeine. We investigated the characteristics and portrayal of the emerging alcohol trend associated with the hashtag descriptor #borg on TikTok.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Youth Mental Health Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Technology & KidsMarch 2024Getting creative: Using art-based techniques to identify how arts organizations enhance young people’s well-being
Mental health concerns present significant challenges for Australian youth. Arts organizations play a key role in promoting preventative mental health strate-gies through enhancing the social and emotional well-being (SEWB) of youth. However, little is known about how the arts promote SEWB and the processes and contexts through which this occurs.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing School Attendance Youth Mental Health Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Mental health Physical activitySeptember 2023The queers are all right: a content analysis of LGBTQIA + mental health on TikTok
The formation of online communities instils a sense of connectedness which can ameliorate the mental health concerns that result from minority stressors for lesbian, gay, queer, intersex, asexual, and other diverse genders/sexualities (LGBTQIA+). The aim of this study was to explore how LGBTQIA + people communicate social and mental health concerns on TikTok.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Gender Diversity Youth Mental HealthDecember 2022Awake and Alert: Examining the Portrayal of Energy Drinks on TikTok
Energy drinks (EDs) are not recommended for minors' consumption due to a myriad of health risks, but marketing initiatives persist. This study explored the promotion of EDs on TikTok, a platform frequented by children and adolescents.
Published research Nutrition Child Disability Cardiometabolic Sunhealth Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Technology & Kids Food and Nutrition Child and adolescent healthJanuary 2022Acceptability of OP/Na swabbing for SARS-CoV-2: a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in Western Australian schools
When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, Governments responded with lockdown and isolation measures to combat viral spread, including the closure of many schools. More than a year later, widespread screening for SARS-CoV-2 is critical to allow schools and other institutions to remain open.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Infectious Diseases Human Development and Community Wellbeing School Attendance Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention COVID-19January 2022Western Australian adolescent emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been vast and are not limited to physical health. Many adolescents have experienced disruptions to daily life, including changes in their school routine and family’s financial or emotional security, potentially impacting their emotional wellbeing.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing School Attendance Youth Health Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and Development COVID-19February 2021DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools
Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Influenza Infectious Diseases Human Development and Community Wellbeing Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and Development -
Education and Qualifications
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Awards/Honours
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Active Collaborations