Our people

Dr Ann-Marie Gibson

Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology

Areas of expertise: Evidence-based teaching and learning practices; Transition pedagogy; Retention; Psychological determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour

Email: Ann-Marie.Gibson@acu.edu.au

Location: ACU Blacktown Campus

Location: ACU Strathfield Campus

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2516-7985

As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an INSPIRE ambassador at ACU, Ann-Marie has a vested interest and enthusiasm for enhancing the student experience by advocating the benefits of evidence-based practice to both academic and non-academic staff. Her particular focus is on the first-year students and creating a culture of evidence-based practice across all areas related to the student learning experience. She is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and her research interests focus on behaviour change and the psychological determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, with a specific focus in children and adolescents.

Select publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles (last 5 years)

• Wong, L. S., Gibson, A. M., Farooq, A., & Reilly, J. J. (2021). Interventions to Increase Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Elementary School Physical Education Lessons: Systematic Review. Journal of School Health. (IF = 1.673) https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13070
• Malden, S., Gillespie, J., Hughes, A., Gibson, A. M., Farooq, A., Martin, A., Summerbell, C. & Reilly, J. J. (2021). Obesity in young children and its relationship with diagnosis of asthma, Vitamin D deficiency, Iron deficiency, specific allergies and flat footedness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews. (IF = 9.213) https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13129
• Haile C, Kirk A, Cogan N, Janssen X, Gibson A. M., MacDonald B. Pilot Testing of a Nudge-Based Digital Intervention (Welbot) to Improve Sedentary Behaviour and Wellbeing in the Workplace (2020). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 5763. (IF = 3.39) https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph17165763
• MacDonald, B., Gibson, A. M., Janssen, X., & Kirk, A. (2020). A Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Digital Intervention to Improve Sedentary Behaviour Across Multiple Workplace Settings. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 239 (IF = 3.39) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124538
• Gillespie J., Hughes, A. R., Gibson, A. M., Haines, J., Taveras, E., Stewart, L. & Reilly, J. J. (2020). Healthy Habits, Happy Homes Scotland (4HS) Feasibility Study: Translation of a home-based early childhood obesity prevention intervention evaluated using RE-AIM framework. Public Health in Practice, 1 (IF = 1.648). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100026
• MacDonald, B., Gibson, A. M., Janssen, X., Hutchinson, J., Headley, S., Matthews, T., & Kirk, A. (2020). Should We Scale-Up? A Mixed Methods Process Evaluation of an Intervention Targeting Sedentary Office Workers Using the RE-AIM QuEST Framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 239 (IF = 3.39) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010239
• Malden, S., Reilly, J. J., Gibson, A. M., Bardid, F. & Hughes, A. (2020). Procedures and challenges of adapting an existing public health intervention for use in another setting: The ToyBox-Scotland preschool obesity prevention programme. SAGE Research Methods Cases (IF = N/A) https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781529724547
• Malden, S., Reilly, J. J., Hughes, A., Bardid, F., et al., & Gibson, A. M. (2019). Assessing the acceptability of intervention components, delivery methods, and outcome measures of an adapted preschool obesity prevention programme: ToyBox-Scotland. Child: Care, Health and Development (IF = 1.201) https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12736
• Malden, S., Reilly, J. J., Gibson, A. M., Bardid, F., Summerbell, C., De Craemer, M., ... & Hughes, A. (2019). A feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of a preschool obesity prevention intervention: ToyBox-Scotland. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 5(1), 128 (IF = 0.877) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0521-7
• Farooq, A., Martin, A., Janssen, X., Wilson, M., Gibson, A. M., Hughes, A. and Reilly, J. J. (2019) Longitudinal changes in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews (IF = 9.213) https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12953
• Donnelly, S., Buchan, D. S., Gibson, A. M., Mclellan, G., & Arthur, R. (2019). An Insight Into the Involvement of Mothers of Low Socioeconomic Status in Scottish Primary School Health Education Activities. Health Education & Behavior (IF = 2.61) https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198119871329
• Gillespie J., Hughes, A. R., Gibson, A. M., Haines, J., Taveras, E., & Reilly, J. J. (2019). Protocol for Healthy Habits Happy Homes Scotland. Feasibility of a participatory approach to adaptation and implementation of a study aimed at early prevention of obesity. BMJ Open (IF = 2.43) https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e028038.full
• Verma, N., Eklund, R. C., Arthur, C. A., Howle, T. C., & Gibson, A. M. (2019). Transformational Teaching, Self-Presentation Motives, and Identity in Adolescent Female Physical Education. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (IF = 2.76) https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2017-0299
• Buchan, D., Donnelly, S., McLellan, G., Gibson, A. M., & Arthur, R. (2019). A feasibility study with process evaluation of a teacher led resource to improve measures of child health. PLOS ONE (IF = 2.76) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218243
• MacDonald, B., Janssen, X., Kirk, A., Patience, M., & Gibson, A. M. (2018). An integrative, systematic review exploring the Research, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in office workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF = 2.14) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122876
• Malden, S., Hughes, A. R., Gibson, A. M., & Reilly, J. J. (2018). Adapting the ToyBox obesity prevention intervention for use in Scottish pre-schools: Protocol for a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open (IF = 2.43) http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023707corr1
• Hill, M., Wagerman, S., Gibson, A. M., Flores, E., & Kelly, L. (2018). The effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on state anxiety and cognitive function. Science & Sports. (IF = 0.76) doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2018.09.004
• Farooq, A., Gibson, A. M., Reilly, J. J., & Gaoua, N. (2018). The association between obesity and cognitive function in otherwise healthy premenopausal Arab women. Journal of Obesity. (IF = N/A) doi: 10.1155/2018/1741962
• McMichan, L., Rowe, D. A., & Gibson, A. M. (2018). Classroom-Based Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Interventions in Adolescents - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Physical Activity and Health (IF = 1.946) 10.1123/jpah.2017-0087
• Gibson, A. M., Kelly, L., Muggeridge, D., Hughes, A., & Kirk, A. (2017). An examination of objectively-measured sedentary behavior and mental well-being in adults across week days and weekends. PLOS ONE. (IF = 2.806) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0185143
• Marshall, E. A. & Gibson, A. M. (2017). The effect of an imagery training intervention on self-confidence, anxiety and performance in acrobatic gymnastics - A pilot study. Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity (IF = 0.40) https://doi.org/10.1515/jirspa-2016-0009
• Hayball, F., McCrorie, P., Kirk, A., Gibson, A. M., & Ellaway, A. (2017). Exploring children's perceptions of their local environment in relation to time spent outside. Children & Society, 32(1), 14-26 (IF = 0.802) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/chso.12217/full

Projects

• What works in clinical supervision: Piloting an evidence centre for professional practice supervisors (2022) Funding agency/programme: FHS Learning and Teaching Grant; Role: Co-investigator; Collaborators: - Dr John Mahoney, Dr Adam Burston & Nicole Blakey- Australian Catholic University; Amount funded: $4272.50.
• Using a holistic, evidence-based approach to explore flexible learning needs and choice for students within the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (2022) Funding agency/programme: Directorate of Sport & Wellbeing, ACU; Role: Co-investigator; Collaborators: - Dr Justine Stynes & Dr Alyse Wilcox - Australian Catholic Universty; Amount funded: $12,000.
• The early bird catches the worm: Exploring student-centered retention strategies in first year (2021) Funding agency/programme: Learning and Teaching Centre, ACU; Role: Principal investigator; Collaborators: - Dr Justine Stynes & Dr Francesco Foroni - Australian Catholic University; Amount funded: $3804.50.
• Welbot: a collaborative, knowledge-exchange project with an external spin-out company, "Welbot", with a remit to validate and test a cross platform, personalised digital intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve physical and mental wellbeing at work (2018-2019). Funding agency/programme: Scottish Funding Council's Follow-on Innovation Voucher Scheme. Role: Co-Investigator. Collaborators: A Kirk, X Janssen, N. Coogan & S. Tersis - University of Strathclyde. Amount funded: £59,000.
• Healthy Habits Happy Homes: Translation of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention to socio-economically deprived families in Scotland (2015-2016). Funding agency/programme: Hannah Foundation for PhD Studentship; Role: PhD supervisor; Collaborators: J. Reilly & A. Hughes - University of Strathclyde; J. Haines - University of Guelph; E. Taveras - Harvard University; Amount funded: £74,700.
• Student recruitment collaboration with California Lutheran University (2015-2016). Funding agency/programme: University of Strathclyde, International Student Recruitment Initiatives Fund; Role: Lead applicant; Collaborators: A. Kirk - University of Strathclyde; L. Kelly - California Lutheran University. Amount funded: £1,250.
• Prevention of obesity, diabetes, and some cancers in early childhood: translation of the 'Toybox' pre-school intervention to Scotland (2015-2016). Funding agency/programme: Cunningham Trust; Role: PhD supervisor; Collaborators: J. Reilly, A. Hughes - University of Strathclyde; C. Summerbell - University of Durham; Amount funded: £81,097.
• Research collaboration with California Lutheran University (2015-2016). Funding agency/programme: University of Strathclyde, Global Engagement Fund; Role: Lead applicant; Collaborators: A. Kirk - University of Strathclyde; L. Kelly - California Lutheran University. Amount funded: £1,250.
• Increasing physical activity among teenage girls: Establishing the theoretical basis for an intervention (2016). Funding agency/programme: CSO Catalytic Grant Role: Co-I; Collaborators: Robert Eklund (PI) - University of Stirling; C. Arthur and T. Howle (Co-Is) - University of Stirling; Amount funded: £26,130.

Accolades and Awards

• Awarded the ACU Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (Team) in 2021
• Awarded a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2022)

Appointments and Affiliations

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Chartered Psychologist - British Psychological Society
• Associate Member of Australian Psychological Society
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Individual Accreditation (Sport and Exercise Scientist - Psychology) - September 2011 (re-accredited 2016)
• Professional Member of the Australasian Society for Physical Activity
• Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Exercise Science) - Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, NSW. January 2021 - present.
• Course Leader - BSc (Hons) Sport and Physical Activity. School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. April 2019-February 2020
• Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health. School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. April 2018 - February 2020

Public engagement activities

• Gibson, A. M. (2022) https://www.inspiretoolkit.com.au/post/does-size-really-matter
• Gibson, N. V. & Gibson, A. M. (2017). http://theconversation.com/a-five-point-checklist-for-getting-around-the-world-in-80-days-by-bicycle-76168