Dr Anne Martin
- Research Fellow (MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit)
email: Anne.Martin@glasgow.ac.uk
MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Berkeley Square, 99 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR
Biography
I have joined the Complexity in Health Improvement Programme at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit in November 2017. My role involves evaluating and developing complex public health interventions.
I am a physiotherapist and nutritionist and completed both degrees in Germany. In 2009, I moved to Glasgow to obtain an M.Sc. (Med Sci) in Human Nutrition with specialisation in Obesity and Weight Management (University of Glasgow). I completed my Ph.D. in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh in 2014.
I worked previously as post-doctoral Research Associate at the University of Edinburgh’s Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC) and the Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute for Population Health Sciences and Informatics. Since completion of my doctoral degree I also have been involved in a number of short-term research projects at the Physical Activity for Health Group, University of Strathclyde.
Research interests
Research interests
- Impact of nature-based childcare on health and wellbeing of children, families and communities
- Educator and parental perception of risks and benefits of active outdoor play
- Intergenerational physical activity and outdoor play intervention
- Child and adolescent healthy weight interventions
- Improving sleep and mental health of young people
- Co-design of mobile and wearable technology for adoelscent health and wellbeing
- Association between childhood obesity, physical activity, cognitive function and academic achievement
Ongoing research projects
I am co-leading a programme of work aiming to answer: What is the impact of outdoor learning and play on the health and wellbeing of children, families and childcare staff? The ongoing research projects are:
- Nature-based early childhood education for child health, wellbeing and development: a systematic review
- Outdoor play: Investigating parental and practitioner perceptions of risks, benefits and competencies
- Empowering stakeholders in Early Learning in Childcare to evaluate and implement outdoor childcare
In addition, I am leading two systematic reviews:
- Comparison of outdoor and indoor time and environmental factors of early childhood education and care settings on children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour
- Longitudinal and experimental evidence on young people's screen time, sleep and mental health
Recent research projects
- NAP SACC UK trial (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment in Childcare)
- Children Create: Amplifying the voices of children in the translation of physical activity related scientific evidence
- Guidance for exploratory studies for complex public health interventions (GuESt)
Summer internship projects
- 2020: Outdoor play: Investigating parental perceptions of risks, benefits and competencies (Funder: Glasgow Children's Hospital Research Fund)
- 2019: Exploring the potential of outdoor nurseries for health and wellbeing of children and families (Funder: MVLS Wellcome Trust Institute Strategic Support Fund)
Non-academic partners
- Early Learning and Childcare Directorate, Scottish Government
- Early Learning and Childcare, Glasgow City Council
- NHS Ayrshire and Arran
- Inspiring Scotland
- Children's Parliament
- Actify
Recent and upcoming conference presentations
- "From the Glasgow Effect to the Scottish Paradox: Outdoor play and learning in early childhood for health and wellbeing". 16th International Congress on Behavioral Medicine 2021, 7-11 June
- "Systematic literature review of the relationship between adolescents’ screen time, sleep and mental health". 16th International Congress on Behavioral Medicine 2021, 7-11 June
- "Association between nature-based Early Learning and Childcare and pre-schoolers’ cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioural development". 16th UKSBM Annual Scientific Meeting 2021, 13-14 January
Professional & learned societies
- Since Janauary 2021, I am an Executive Committee member (Membership Secretary) of the UK Society for Behavioural Medicine
- Since February 2019, I co-chair the Early Care and Education special interest group of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA).
- Since June 2018, I chair the Scotland Network for the Association for the Study of Obesity
Conference Planning and Local Organising Committees
- 2021: ISBNPA XChange Initiative 2021, 8-10 June
- 2021: International Congress of Behavioral Medicine 2021, 7-11 June
- 2019: European Congress on Obesity 2019 , 28 April - 1 May
Grants
Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.
- World Class Labs Captial Funding 2020/22
Medical Research Council
2020 - 2021
- Systematic review on the potential of outdoor nurseries for promoting learning, social relationships, health and wellbeing in early childhood
Scottish Government
2019 - 2020
- Rapid Review of the Relationships between Adolescents' Screen Time, Sleep and Mental Health and Wellbeing
Scottish Government
2019 - 2019
- Children Create: Amplifying the voices of children in the translation of physical activity related scientific evidence
Scottish Government
2019 - 2020
Supervision
I welcome enquiries for PhD student supervision related to:
- Outdoor physical activity, active play, 24-hour movement behaviours with children
- Intervention development and evaluation in early years and school settings
- Child and adolescent obesity prevention
Current supervisions
- Thomson, Meigan
- Traynor, Oliver
Evaluation of outdoor nursery provision for child, family and community health and wellbeing
Teaching
I am co-leading the short course on Systematic Review Methodology hosted by the Edinburgh Clinical Research Facilities.