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
Senior Research Associate
School for Policy Studies
Contact
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Biography
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.
Research interests
My research focuses on the development, implementation and evaluation of physical activity interventions for children and adolescents. I have a particular interest in enhancing provisions for children and young people with chronic conditions, including cancer, and exploring the use of mHealth within such interventions. My research in digital health includes the development of smartphone apps and text-messaging protocols for increasing physical activity levels, prescribing exercise, reducing sedentary behaviour and encouraging healthy eating.
As part of my research, I collaborate with educational, healthcare and community organisations and employ mixed methods protocols. My research expertise also includes conducting systematic reviews, feasibility studies, and using accelerometers to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
My current research projects centre around using co-production to explore physical activity preferences, barriers and facilitators for neurodivergent teenage girls. I am interested in how inclusive physical activity provisions can be created within communities in and around Bristol. For this work, I have been awarded a Knowledge Mobilisation Catalyst Award (£1500) from the University of Bristol Population Health Sciences Institute as well as funding from the Research England QR Participatory Research Fund (£15000) by Public Engagement University of Bristol (2024-25).
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Using co-production to explore physical activity participation and equitable provisions for neurodivergent teenage girls in Bristol
Principal Investigator
Description
This project explores physical activity participation and community provisions for neurodivergent teenage girls in Bristol. It uses co-production to gain insights into their views on the importance of being physically…Managing organisational unit
School for Policy StudiesDates
01/08/2024 to 31/07/2025
Nordic Walking for neurodivergent teenage girls – Exploring strategies for meaningful physical activity participation to improve health and wellbeing
Principal Investigator
Description
For this knowledge mobilisation project, a workshop will be conducted inviting practitioners supporting neurodivergent teenage girls, researchers working in neurodivergence and physical activity and health, as well as contributors with…Managing organisational unit
School for Policy StudiesDates
01/05/2024 to 31/07/2024
Publications
Recent publications
24/10/2024The development of an augmented reality application for exercise prescription within paediatric oncology
Health Informatics Journal
Exercise therapy in paediatric oncology - the FORTEe project
mHealth intervention to improve physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adolescents: A qualitative study exploring feasibility, preferences and effectiveness
Text-messaging intervention to improve physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adolescents
The effects of yoga compared to active and inactive controls on physical function and health related quality of life in older adults- systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Teaching
Kim was also a dissertation supervisor for undergraduate and postgraduate students and acted as personal tutor across School for Policy Studies programmes.