Dr Kim Straun
BSc, MSc, PhD
Expertise
Kim's current research focuses on digital health and physical activity provisions for neurodivergent youth. Her teaching expertise includes behaviour change, child and adolescent health, and physical activity interventions.
Current positions
Honorary Research Associate
School for Policy Studies
Contact
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Biography
Kim has a background in Sports Science (BSc from the Technical University of Munich, Germany) and Physical Activity and Health (MSc from the University of Edinburgh and PhD from the University of the West of Scotland). Her interest in focusing her work on community interventions and youth populations stems from her work as a sports coach in clubs and schools in Germany and the UK.
Kim has worked as a Lecturer in Universities in Scotland and England, including at Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen), Oxford Brookes University, the AECC University College (now Health Sciences University, Bournemouth) and since 2023 at the University of Bristol. In 2024, Kim achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
In addition to her teaching, Kim has worked on a multi-million Euro Horizon 2020 funded project exploring the development, implementation and evaluation of exercise rehabilitation for paediatric oncology patients. Kim's work on the FORTEe project included project management and the development of an augmented reality app. More recently, Kim has secured research funding to explore inclusive physical activity provisions for neurodivergent teenage girls in Bristol.
In recent years, Kim has also been involved in the Early Career Network at the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (Secretary 02/2022-12/2022 and Chair 01/2023-11/2024) and has now joined the Journal of Physical Activity and Health as the Lead for the new Early Career Researcher Committee. Kim is also an Editorial Board member.
Kim has worked as a Lecturer in Universities in Scotland and England, including at Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen), Oxford Brookes University, the AECC University College (now Health Sciences University, Bournemouth) and since 2023 at the University of Bristol. In 2024, Kim achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
In addition to her teaching, Kim has worked on a multi-million Euro Horizon 2020 funded project exploring the development, implementation and evaluation of exercise rehabilitation for paediatric oncology patients. Kim's work on the FORTEe project included project management and the development of an augmented reality app. More recently, Kim has secured research funding to explore inclusive physical activity provisions for neurodivergent teenage girls in Bristol.
In recent years, Kim has also been involved in the Early Career Network at the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (Secretary 02/2022-12/2022 and Chair 01/2023-11/2024) and has now joined the Journal of Physical Activity and Health as the Lead for the new Early Career Researcher Committee. Kim is also an Editorial Board member.
Teaching
Kim has previously taught on the BSc in Childhood Studies and the MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health. On Childhood Studies, Kim taught SPOL10025 Critical Skills for Social Scientists (year 1) and convened SPOL20060 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Health (year 2). Kim also co-taught on SPOL30034 Child Nutrition, Activity and Health (year 3). On the MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health, Kim convened PHEDM4015 Physical Activity and Nutrition Interventions and PHEDM4014 Determinants of Physical Activity and Eating Behaviour.
Kim was also a dissertation supervisor for undergraduate and postgraduate students and acted as personal tutor across School for Policy Studies programmes.
Kim was also a dissertation supervisor for undergraduate and postgraduate students and acted as personal tutor across School for Policy Studies programmes.