Martin O'Flaherty
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/17886 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/934
Dr
Martin O'Flaherty
Email: : m.oflaherty@uq.edu.au
Positions
Affiliate of ARC COE for Children and Families Over the Lifecourse : ARC COE for Children and Families Over the Lifecourse : Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Research Fellow : School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences : Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Overview
Background
Dr Martin O’Flahertyis a research fellow in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course located in the Institute for Social Science Research. Martin has made important contributions to the evaluation of nationally significant social policy, often working with the Department of Social Services. Notable highlights include designing the impact evaluation for the $90 million Try, Test, and Learn Fund and leading the evaluation of the Building Capacity in Australia’s Parents trial and the National Community Awareness Raising initiative. He is the quantitative lead for recently announced Community Refugee Integration and Sponsorship Pilot, funded by the Department of Home Affairs, which is investigating the feasibility of alternative settlement pathways for unlinked humanitarian migrants.
Martin’s broader research centres on the intersection of family, health, and disadvantage over the life course, using advanced quantitative methods to unlock causal and longitudinal perspectives on important social problems. Recent work has investigated patterns and determinants of children’s and adolescents’ time-use, including for adolescents with disability and LGBTQ adolescents. He has also led research using state-of-the-art machine learning methodology to study heterogeneous effects of teenage motherhood on later life mental health. Martin’s current research is primarily focussed on understanding the nature, causes of, and solutions to, poverty and financial insecurity among children with disabilities and their families. His work has appeared in leading international journals including Demography, Child Development, and The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health among others.
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Availability
Dr Martin O'Flaherty is: : Available for supervision
Fields of research
Applied and developmental psychology Applied sociology, program evaluation and social impact assessment Child and adolescent development Demography Epidemiology Family and household studies Health Sciences Human Society Policy and administration Psychology Social epidemiology Social policy Social work Sociological methodology and research methods Sociology Sociology of family and relationships Sociology of health Sociology of inequalities Sociology of the life course
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Martin O'Flaherty’s works on UQ eSpace
All (82) Book (1) Journal Article (42) Other Outputs (24) Conference Publication (15)
2026
Journal Article
Examining health behaviour profiles among children with autism and ADHD using latent profile analysis
Bourke, Matthew, O'Flaherty, Martin, Fortnum, Kathryn, Thomas, George and Walker, Jacqueline L. (2026). Examining health behaviour profiles among children with autism and ADHD using latent profile analysis. Research in Autism, 130 202751, 202751. doi: 10.1016/j.reia.2025.202751
2025
Other Outputs
Administrative capital and the reproduction of inequality: Understanding unequal access to support for children with disabilities in Australia
O'Flaherty, Martin, Hill, Jessica and Smith-Merry, Jennifer (2025). Administrative capital and the reproduction of inequality: Understanding unequal access to support for children with disabilities in Australia. LCC Working Paper Series. 2025-24. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/f244954
2025
Other Outputs
Child autism and parental income trajectories: a nationwide longitudinal study from New Zealand
O'Flaherty, Martin, Underwood, Lisa, Dacombe, Joanne and Bowden, Nick (2025). Child autism and parental income trajectories: a nationwide longitudinal study from New Zealand. LCC Working Paper Series. 2025-25. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/acad889
Child autism and parental income trajectories: a nationwide longitudinal study from New Zealand
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
2025
Other Outputs
Vertical and horizontal equity in support for children with disabilities: a cross-sectional analysis of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme
O'Flaherty, Martin, Hill, Jessica and Smith-Merry, Jennifer (2025). Vertical and horizontal equity in support for children with disabilities: a cross-sectional analysis of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme. LCC Working Paper Series. 2025-23. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/1401ed6
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
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
2025
Journal Article
Understanding Inequality Within a Personalised System of Disability Support: Australian Children With Disabilities' Unmet Support Needs
O'Flaherty, Martin, Hill, Jessica and Smith‐Merry, Jennifer (2025). Understanding Inequality Within a Personalised System of Disability Support: Australian Children With Disabilities' Unmet Support Needs. Australian Journal of Social Issues ajs4.70062. doi: 10.1002/ajs4.70062
2025
Journal Article
Exploring the Effectiveness of Community-Based, Intensive Transdisciplinary Early Intervention for Autistic Children in Australia: An Observational Study of 577 Children
Mead, Jessica, Lee, Tae-Jun, O’Flaherty, Martin, Judd, Courtney, Kliese, Jaime-Lee and Bullot, Ashleigh (2025). Exploring the Effectiveness of Community-Based, Intensive Transdisciplinary Early Intervention for Autistic Children in Australia: An Observational Study of 577 Children. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education 02711214251358817. doi: 10.1177/02711214251358817
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
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
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
2025
Journal Article
Unpacking the relationship between autism, sport participation, and adolescent health: a causal mediation analysis
O'Flaherty, Martin, Hill, Jessica, Bourke, Matthew, Fortnum, Kathryn, Thomas, George, Gomersall, Sjaan R. and Cairney, John (2025). Unpacking the relationship between autism, sport participation, and adolescent health: a causal mediation analysis. Disability and Health Journal, 18 (3) 101832, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2025.101832
2025
Journal Article
Association between 24-hour movement behaviors and adiposity in children and adolescents: A compositional data meta-analysis
Bourke, Matthew, Harrison, Zoe, Fortnum, Kathryn, Thomas, George, O'Flaherty, Martin, Mulcahy, Samantha K., Gomersall, Sjaan R., Alsop, Tahlia, Trost, Stewart G., Koplin, Jennifer J., Bruijns, Brianne A., Phillips, Sophie M., Vanderloo, Leigh M., Tucker, Patricia, Hesketh, Kylie D., Kwan, Matthew Y. W. and Cairney, John (2025). Association between 24-hour movement behaviors and adiposity in children and adolescents: A compositional data meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews, 26 (5) e13884, e13884. doi: 10.1111/obr.13884
2025
Journal Article
Equity effect of a community-based primary healthcare program on the incidence of childhood morbidity in rural Northern Ghana
Kanmiki, Edmund Wedam, Mamun, Abdullah A., Phillips, James F. and O’Flaherty, Martin (2025). Equity effect of a community-based primary healthcare program on the incidence of childhood morbidity in rural Northern Ghana. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 26 e23, e23-26. doi: 10.1017/s1463423625000106
2024
Other Outputs
Australian children with disabilities’ unmet support needs: Evidence from the Better Support for Kids with Disabilities survey
O'Flaherty, Martin, Hill, Jessica and Smith-Merry, Jennifer (2024). Australian children with disabilities’ unmet support needs: Evidence from the Better Support for Kids with Disabilities survey. LCC Working Paper Series. 2024-37. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/db88eeb
2024
Conference Publication
Meta-analysis of association between 24-hour movement behaviours and social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in youth
Bourke, Matthew, Thomas, George, Fortnum, Kathryn, O'Flaherty, Martin and Gomersall, Sjaan (2024). Meta-analysis of association between 24-hour movement behaviours and social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in youth. International Society for Physical Activity and Health, Paris, France, 28-31 October 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Coming of age on the margins: a life course perspective on the time use of Australian adolescents with disabilities
O’Flaherty, Martin, King, Tania and Kavanagh, Anne (2024). Coming of age on the margins: a life course perspective on the time use of Australian adolescents with disabilities. Social Forces, 102 (4) soad127, 1608-1628. doi: 10.1093/sf/soad127
2024
Other Outputs
Heterogeneous effects of stroke and traumatic brain injury on spouses’ income and employment: evidence from New Zealand
O'Flaherty, Martin, Huang, Yanshu, Underwood, Lisa, Bowden, Nick, Lam, Jack, Baxter, Janeen and Milne, Barry (2024). Heterogeneous effects of stroke and traumatic brain injury on spouses’ income and employment: evidence from New Zealand. LCC Working Paper Series. 2024-15. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/bfc1285
2023
Journal Article
Impact of a community-based primary healthcare programme on childhood diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DPT3) immunisation coverage in rural northern Ghana
Kanmiki, Edmund Wedam, Mamun, Abdullah A., Phillips, James F. and O’Flaherty, Martin (2023). Impact of a community-based primary healthcare programme on childhood diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DPT3) immunisation coverage in rural northern Ghana. Research in Health Services & Regions, 2 (1) 18, 1-10. doi: 10.1007/s43999-023-00032-8
Funding
Current funding
- 2025 - 2026
Digitalisation of the Support Needs Assessment Tool Sports and Exercise
Beyond Sports Foundation
Open grant - 2022 - 2026
FamilyLinQ Evaluation Framework and Plan
Queensland Department of Education
Past funding
- 2022 - 2025
Evaluation of the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP)
Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
Open grant - 2021 - 2022
Life-course impact of chronic health conditions on partners and carers (NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment grant led by University of Auckland)
University of Auckland
Open grant - 2018 - 2021
Evaluation of the Try, Test and Learn Fund
Commonwealth Department of Social Services
Open grant - 2018 - 2020
Evaluation of the Building Capacity in Australian Parents (BCAP) trial and the National Community Awareness Raising (NCAR) strategy
Commonwealth Department of Social Services
Open grant - 2017 - 2018
Design of an Evaluation Framework for IUIH Family Wellbeing Services
Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
Open grant - 2013
Flexible Social Analysis Platforms
UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Open grant - 2013
Vulnerable families in Australia: What we know and what we need to know
UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
View all 7 past funded projects View less
Supervision
Availability
Dr Martin O'Flaherty is: : Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### The effects of children's behaviour problems on parental mental health and health behaviours in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Abdullah Mamun - Doctor Philosophy
##### Advancing knowledge in the measurement of movement behaviors in children with neurodevelopmental challenges
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stewart Trost, Dr Jessica Hill, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall
Completed supervision
- 2024
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter - 2024
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Abdullah Mamun - 2022
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Abdullah Mamun
Media
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