The Kids Research Institute Australia and University of Western Australia physical activity researcher Hayley Christian has been named WA Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year at the 2020 WA Young Tall Poppy Science Awards.
Associate Professor Christian was one of seven WA Young Tall Poppy scientists to be selected this year, with the recipients honoured during a special ceremony at the Australia II Gallery within the WA Museum in Fremantle, and Associate Professor Christian being named overall Tall Poppy.
The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards are run by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) to honour up-and-coming scientists who combine world-class research with a passionate commitment to communicating science. The awards are held on a state-by-state basis to celebrate researchers across science, engineering and mathematics.
Associate Professor Christian’s research focuses on improving children’s physical activity, health and development through interventions that are focused on the child, the family, and social and built environments.
The Kids Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis congratulated Associate Professor Christian, saying her research and advocacy was helping to set the agenda on key aspects of child health and development.
“I’m delighted that Hayley’s hard work – which is sought after nationally and internationally by policymakers and practitioners due to the unique insights it provides – has been recognised in this way,” Professor Carapetis said.
“At a time when one in five Australian children aged 2-4 are overweight or obese, physical activity is a vital tool in our quest to create happy, healthy kids.
“Hayley’s research program contributes significantly to our understanding of the way children, families and communities respond to their environment, and is playing a critical role in helping to promote more active childhoods.”