Metadata
Title
John Cairney
Category
general
UUID
6e1d7b94caad4e37ac8bf00047365d20
Source URL
https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/25474
Parent URL
https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-institutes/hmbs/about/leaders
Crawl Time
2026-03-23T11:58:34+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown 
# John Cairney

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/25474
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-institutes/hmbs/about/leaders

Professor

# John Cairney

Email:
:   [j.cairney@uq.edu.au](mailto:j.cairney@uq.edu.au)

Phone:
:   [+61 7 336 56241](tel:+61 7 336 56241)

## Positions

Centre Director of Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
:   Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
:   Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Head of School
:   Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Affiliate of Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
:   Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
:   Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

### Background

Professor John Cairney is the Head of School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences. He is an academic leader in the field of paediatric exercise medicine and child health research and is particularly well-known for his work on developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and its impact on the health and well-being of children. Prof John Cairney started at UQ in January 2020.

Until the end of 2019, he was the Director of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and Director of the Infant and Child Health (INCH) Research Laboratory at both the University of Toronto and McMaster University. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University and a core scientist with the Offord Centre for Child Studies, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster University, and the independent Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.

Professor Cairney completed his PhD studies at the University of Western Ontario and has held academic appointments at Brock University, the University of Toronto and McMaster University before his current UQ role. He has held, among other research leadership positions, a Canada Research Chair in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and a Professorship in Child Health, and subsequently a Research Chair, in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University.

Professor Cairney has been the recipient of ~$A17 million in research grants as a principal investigator and has some 310 published works with a Scopus h index of 51 (Aug 2022).

Professor Cairney is a former President of the North American Society of Pediatric Exercise Medicine.

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### Availability

Professor John Cairney is:
:   Available for supervision

### Fields of research

[Biomedical and Clinical Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4760)
[Clinical sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4979)
[Epidemiology](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4897)
[Health Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4759)
[Paediatrics](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4812)
[Sports science and exercise](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4986)

### Research interests

- #### Physical activity and health

  Professor Cairney's broad interest is in the association between physical activity and health (physical and mental), with a specific interest in the role that physical activity plays in the health and quality of life of children with chronic disease.

  Read more
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### Research impacts

From 2012-2015, Professor John Cairney co-led the evaluation of the multi-ministerial Children’s Mental Health Strategy in Canada, and since 2013 he has been the Scientific Lead of the screening arm of the Special Needs Strategy for Children in Ontario. These roles have allowed him to influence policy development in Ontario.

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[Search Professor John Cairney’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/6504025)

[All
(425)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/25474/all)
[Book
(3)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/25474/4747)
[Journal Article
(396)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/25474/4748)
[Other Outputs
(3)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/25474/4749)
[Conference Publication
(6)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/25474/4751)
[Book Chapter
(17)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/25474/4752)

2026

Journal Article

##### Experiences, influencing factors, and perceived outcomes from physical literacy interventions: a qualitative meta-synthesis

Barratt, Jaime, Goss, Hannah, Erskine, Noah, James, Maeghan, Töpfer, Clemens, Pfeifer, Klaus, Cairney, John and Carl, Johannes (2026). Experiences, influencing factors, and perceived outcomes from physical literacy interventions: a qualitative meta-synthesis. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 21 (1) 2613973. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2026.2613973

[Experiences, influencing factors, and perceived outcomes from physical literacy interventions: a qualitative meta-synthesis](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:7b0ed01)

2025

Book Chapter

##### Trauma-Informed Partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Hall, Emily, Louth, Sharon, Phillips, Murray, Cairney, John and Wheeler, Kai (2025). Trauma-Informed Partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Understanding and Implementing Trauma-Informed Practice in Schools. (pp. 166-186) London: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003436034-9

[Trauma-Informed Partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:dacf86f)

2025

Book Chapter

##### Multi-Disciplinary Partnering in School-Based Trauma-Informed Active Play

Lawson, Ellie, Barratt, Jaime, Hall, Emily, Cairney, John and Wheeler, Kai (2025). Multi-Disciplinary Partnering in School-Based Trauma-Informed Active Play. Understanding and Implementing Trauma-Informed Practice in Schools. (pp. 210-224) London: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003436034-11

[Multi-Disciplinary Partnering in School-Based Trauma-Informed Active Play](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:49f5cf6)

2025

Journal Article

##### An analysis of people with disabilities in Australia by age, sex, disability type and severity – Implications for leveraging the 2032 Paralympic games to increase physical activity participation

Tweedy, Sean, Fortnum, Kathryn, Thomas, George, Cole, Damien, Demetriou, Bridget, Dutia, Iain, Hill, Jessica, Cairney, John and Beckman, Emma (2025). An analysis of people with disabilities in Australia by age, sex, disability type and severity – Implications for leveraging the 2032 Paralympic games to increase physical activity participation. JSAMS Plus, 6 100110, 100110. doi: 10.1016/j.jsampl.2025.100110

[An analysis of people with disabilities in Australia by age, sex, disability type and severity – Implications for leveraging the 2032 Paralympic games to increase physical activity participation](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a541927)

2025

Journal Article

##### Send in the Squad—Podsquad! Using Design Thinking as a Framework to Develop a Public Health Promotion Programme

Farletti, Rebecca, Walker, Jacqueline L., Chai, Li Kheng, Campbell, Miranda, Munro, Joanna, Thomas, George, Cairney, John and Littlewood, Robyn (2025). Send in the Squad—Podsquad! Using Design Thinking as a Framework to Develop a Public Health Promotion Programme. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 37 (1) e70136, e70136. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70136

[Send in the Squad—Podsquad! Using Design Thinking as a Framework to Develop a Public Health Promotion Programme](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:f74af3a)

2025

Journal Article

##### School-based strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in students with disability: protocol of the TransformUs All Abilities hybrid type II implementation-effectiveness trial

Mazzoli, Emiliano, Contardo Ayala, Ana Maria, Koorts, Harriet, Timperio, Anna, Lander, Natalie, Lubans, David Revalds, Ridgers, Nicola D., Anderson, Kate Louise Mccann, Cairney, John, Barnett, Lisa Michele and Salmon, Jo (2025). School-based strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in students with disability: protocol of the TransformUs All Abilities hybrid type II implementation-effectiveness trial. BMJ Open, 15 (11) e105311, 1-12. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-105311

[School-based strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in students with disability: protocol of the TransformUs All Abilities hybrid type II implementation-effectiveness trial](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:5f1cafd)

2025

Journal Article

##### The role of lifestyle factors in type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Fortnum, Kathryn, Thomas, George, Too, Kiara, Tam, Athena, Tilley, Kate, Cairney, John, Healy, Genevieve N. and Gomersall, Sjaan (2025). The role of lifestyle factors in type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 25 (1) 3675, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23767-0

[The role of lifestyle factors in type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: a systematic review](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:bc81e03)

2025

Journal Article

##### The utility of the MABC-2 for measuring motor impairment in children with ADHD: Examining measurement invariance in children with and without symptoms of ADHD

Bourke, M., Kwan, M.Y., Fortnum, K., O'Flaherty, M., King-Dowling, S. and Cairney, J. (2025). The utility of the MABC-2 for measuring motor impairment in children with ADHD: Examining measurement invariance in children with and without symptoms of ADHD. Human Movement Science, 103 103389, 103389-103. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2025.103389

[The utility of the MABC-2 for measuring motor impairment in children with ADHD: Examining measurement invariance in children with and without symptoms of ADHD](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9fc356f)

2025

Journal Article

##### Associations between screen time, sleep quality, diet quality and food selectivity among school-aged autistic children

Wang, Hiu Fei Wendy, Smith, Simon S., O’Flaherty, Martin, Trost, Stewart G., Thomas, George, Walker, Jacqueline L., Fortnum, Kathryn, McNaughton, Sarah, Cairney, John and Bourke, Matthew (2025). Associations between screen time, sleep quality, diet quality and food selectivity among school-aged autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-14. doi: 10.1007/s10803-025-07064-8

[Associations between screen time, sleep quality, diet quality and food selectivity among school-aged autistic children](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:5ce3d22)

2025

Journal Article

##### Bone health in autistic children: evidence from a population-representative Australian Cohort Study

O'Flaherty, Martin, Gomersall, Sjaan, Hill, Jessica, Fortnum, Kathryn, Bourke, Matthew, Cairney, John, Munns, Craig, Simm, Peter and Erlandson, Marta (2025). Bone health in autistic children: evidence from a population-representative Australian Cohort Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi: 10.1007/s10803-025-07051-z

[Bone health in autistic children: evidence from a population-representative Australian Cohort Study](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a33efdb)

2025

Journal Article

##### Association between 24-h movement behaviors and mental health in children and adolescents: a systematic review and compositional data meta-analysis

Bourke, Matthew, Wang, Hiu Fei Wendy, Fortnum, Kathryn, Thomas, George, O'Flaherty, Martin, Mulcahy, Samantha K., Gomersall, Sjaan R., Alsop, Tahlia, Trost, Stewart G., Bruijns, Brianne A., Phillips, Sophie M., Vanderloo, Leigh, Tucker, Patricia, Hesketh, Kylie D., Kwan, Matthew Y. W. and Cairney, John (2025). Association between 24-h movement behaviors and mental health in children and adolescents: a systematic review and compositional data meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 35 (8) e70120, e70120-8. doi: 10.1111/sms.70120

[Association between 24-h movement behaviors and mental health in children and adolescents: a systematic review and compositional data meta-analysis](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b2b39b6)

2025

Journal Article

##### Effectiveness of affordances on physical literacy and quality of life: investigating the nonlinear approach of fundamental movement skills and a selection of handball sports skills

Valadi, Saeed, Dehghanizadeh, Jalal, Gabbard, Carl and Cairney, John (2025). Effectiveness of affordances on physical literacy and quality of life: investigating the nonlinear approach of fundamental movement skills and a selection of handball sports skills. BMC Pediatrics, 25 (1) 575, 575-1. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-05916-x

[Effectiveness of affordances on physical literacy and quality of life: investigating the nonlinear approach of fundamental movement skills and a selection of handball sports skills](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:0aa3acd)

2025

Journal Article

##### How children with low motor competency cope in physical education lessons

Hannah, Sally A., Johnston, Leanne M., Cairney, John and Gard, Michael (2025). How children with low motor competency cope in physical education lessons. Education 3-13, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/03004279.2025.2520285

[How children with low motor competency cope in physical education lessons](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:115d04f)

2025

Journal Article

##### Comparing trajectories of sport participation for autistic- and non-autistic-youth: a group-based multi-trajectory modelling approach

O’Flaherty, Martin, Hill, Jessica, Bourke, Matthew, Gomersall, Sjaan, Tweedy, Sean and Cairney, John (2025). Comparing trajectories of sport participation for autistic- and non-autistic-youth: a group-based multi-trajectory modelling approach. Autism, 29 (10) 13623613251345345, 13623613251345345-2587. doi: 10.1177/13623613251345345

[Comparing trajectories of sport participation for autistic- and non-autistic-youth: a group-based multi-trajectory modelling approach](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:c047880)

2025

Journal Article

##### A systematic review of sample representativeness and homogeneity in exercise trials using group designs for people with cerebral palsy

Tweedy, S.M., Dutia, I.M., Caughey, L., Demetriou, B., Beckman, E.M. and Cairney, J. (2025). A systematic review of sample representativeness and homogeneity in exercise trials using group designs for people with cerebral palsy. JSAMS Plus, 5 100103, 100103. doi: 10.1016/j.jsampl.2025.100103

[A systematic review of sample representativeness and homogeneity in exercise trials using group designs for people with cerebral palsy](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4d690bf)

2025

Journal Article

##### Clusters of healthy lifestyle behaviours are associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Bourke, Matthew, Wang, Hiu Fei Wendy, McNaughton, Sarah A., Thomas, George, Firth, Joseph, Trott, Mike and Cairney, John (2025). Clusters of healthy lifestyle behaviours are associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 118 102585, 102585. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2025.102585

[Clusters of healthy lifestyle behaviours are associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:6678ae4)

2025

Journal Article

##### Comorbid developmental coordination disorder and ADHD: the effects on emotional and behavioural problems in young children

Fortnum, Kathryn, Bourke, Matthew, Kwan, Matthew, O’Flaherty, Martin, Dowling, Sara King and Cairney, John (2025). Comorbid developmental coordination disorder and ADHD: the effects on emotional and behavioural problems in young children. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 1-10. doi: 10.1007/s10578-025-01858-8

[Comorbid developmental coordination disorder and ADHD: the effects on emotional and behavioural problems in young children](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ad40f4f)

2025

Journal Article

##### Children's and Adolescents' Actual Motor Competence, Perceived Physical Competence and Physical Activity: A Structural Equation Modelling Meta-Analysis

Bourke, Matthew, Wang, Hiu Fei Wendy, Wicks, Hughston, Barnett, Lisa M., Cairney, John and Fortnum, Kathryn (2025). Children's and Adolescents' Actual Motor Competence, Perceived Physical Competence and Physical Activity: A Structural Equation Modelling Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 55 (8) e12953, 1-14. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02233-2

[Children's and Adolescents' Actual Motor Competence, Perceived Physical Competence and Physical Activity: A Structural Equation Modelling Meta-Analysis](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:93ad2ed)

2025

Journal Article

##### Physical literacy, physical activity, and health: a citation content analysis and narrative review

Fortnum, Kathryn, Weber, Meyene Duque, Dudley, Dean, Tudella, Eloisa, Kwan, Matthew, Richard, Veronique and Cairney, John (2025). Physical literacy, physical activity, and health: a citation content analysis and narrative review. Sports Medicine - Open, 11 (1) 44, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s40798-025-00827-8

[Physical literacy, physical activity, and health: a citation content analysis and narrative review](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:27b8a41)

2025

Journal Article

##### Developmental coordination disorder and early childhood trajectories of physical activity

King-Dowling, Sara, Veldhuizen, Scott, Wellman-Earl, Sarah, Price, David, Timmons, Brian W., Kwan, Matthew Y. W. and Cairney, John (2025). Developmental coordination disorder and early childhood trajectories of physical activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 57 (4), 800-806. doi: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003598

[Developmental coordination disorder and early childhood trajectories of physical activity](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a2943e4)

### Current funding

- 2025 - 2026

  Digitalisation of the Support Needs Assessment Tool Sports and Exercise

  Beyond Sports Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/66848)
- 2024 - 2026

  The 360-Kids community Network to support children with neurodevelopment challenges (HERA 2.0 partnership)

  Health and Wellbeing Queensland

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/65585)
- 2024 - 2027

  Health Economist Support for Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation

  Health and Wellbeing Queensland

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/65389)
- 2024 - 2027

  AI-Empowered and Video-Based uplift of Paralympic classification systems (AQIRP project administered by Follow Me AI)

  Follow Me AI Pty Ltd

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/66298)
- 2023 - 2027

  Implementation and scale-up of a consumer co-designed physical activity promotion program for people with moderate-to-profound disabilities

  NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Effective Treatments and Therapies

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/58317)
- 2021 - 2027

  Health and Wellbeing Research Innovation Lab

  Health and Wellbeing Queensland

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/53268)

### Past funding

- 2022 - 2023

  Design of a First Nations Community Impact Framework for Athletics Australia

  Athletics Australia

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/56725)
- 2022

  Mob Moves: Co-designing a program to empower socioemotional learning through physical activity

  UQ Indigenous Research Engagement and Partnerships Fund

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/55767)
- 2021 - 2024

  CATCHing up: A continuation of the Coordination and Activity Tracking in Children cohort study (CIHR Project Grant led by Brock University)

  Brock University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/50511)

### Availability

Professor John Cairney is:
:   Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on [how to choose a supervisor](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/how-to-choose-a-supervisor).

### Supervision history

#### Current supervision

- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Examining the Efficacy of Attentional Focus Instruction on Typically and Atypically Developing Young Learners Performing a Postural Control Task

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Sean Tweedy](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/225), [Dr Gregore Iven Mielke](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/17360)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Interventions to increase physical activity in children and youth with Autism

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Stewart Trost](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/934), [Dr Michalis Stylianou](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/11845), [Dr Jessica Hill](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29928)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### The motor development of preschool children in the digital age

  Principal Advisor
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Movement is not Separate from Culture, but is Culture: Yarning about Physical Literacy with the Yarrabah Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Murray Phillips](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/921), [Dr Kai Wheeler](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29913)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Co-designing trauma informed practices for Exercise Physiologists working with children

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Kai Wheeler](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29913)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Health literacy of rheumatic heart disease within non-family based care

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Kai Wheeler](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29913)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Investigating the Cultural Determinants of Physical Literacy in Diverse Communities

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Kai Wheeler](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29913), [Dr Veronique Richard](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/36239)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Developing a Motor Assessment Tool that is Feasible for Autistic Children with High Support Needs

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Sean Tweedy](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/225), [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)

#### Completed supervision

- 2024

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [The Development and Evaluation of a Self-Report Instrument to Measure Early Childhood Educators' Physical Literacy Capabilities, Knowledge, and Practices](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:923f66a)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Michalis Stylianou](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/11845)

### Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor John Cairney's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

[communications@uq.edu.au](mailto:communications@uq.edu.au)

## External profiles

- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2856-3967)
- [Scopus](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55173153600)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=ccDLFPUAAAAJ)

## Social media

- [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-cairney-20a5b232/?originalSubdomain=ca)
- [X](https://twitter.com/johncairney68?lang=en)

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