Robyn Johnston
Senior Research Officer
BSc, Post Grad Dip, PhD
robyn.johnston@telethonkids.org.au
Robyn Johnston is a Health promotion researcher who works with young people, parents and community stakeholders to support young people to have a healthier start to life. Robyn believes in the importance of involving young people and their families in the development of interventions to improve young people’s health outcomes.
In 2023 Robyn has received Healthway funding to work with Cancer Council WA (CCWA) and 14-24 year olds in WA to develop sunsafety messaging relevant for young people. She is also working with CCWA on a Healthway grant developing vaping cessation messaging for young people.
Robyn’s current research interests include: sunsafety and vaping cessation messaging for young people; parents’ roles in reducing adolescent alcohol harm; reducing children’s exposure to alcohol in community settings; and the effects of Arts involvement on young people’s social and emotional wellbeing.
Robyn holds a PhD in Health Promotion from Edith Cown University.
Projects
SunSmart messaging for WA young people
Engaging young people in sun safety messaging is important because they are vulnerable to the harmful long-term effects of too much sun exposure.
Building social and emotional wellbeing through the arts
The ‘Building Social and Emotional Wellbeing Through the Arts Project’ was funded in 2021 by Healthway and supported through a partnership between The Kids Research Institute Australia and Edith Cowan University (ECU).
Maximising fathers’ roles in preventing adolescent alcohol-related harm. (Fathers and Adolescent Alcohol Use Project)
Published research
Where are the alcohol advertising hotspots near schools?
Physically locating liquor stores near schools can strongly influence the chances of youth accessing and consuming alcohol, and may also increase children's exposure to alcohol advertising. Investigating the association between the presence of a liquor store near a school and the prevalence of outdoor alcohol advertising is crucial from a policy perspective, as it can inform future regulations on the placement of liquor stores and outdoor advertising near educational institutions.
‘Black Out Rage Gallon’ (aka borg): An investigation of a risky drinking trend on TikTok
A 'Black Out Rage Gallon' (borg) is a customised, individual alcoholic beverage popularised on TikTok, whereby half the water in a gallon jug is replaced with alcohol (usually spirits), flavourings, electrolytes and caffeine. We investigated the characteristics and portrayal of the emerging alcohol trend associated with the hashtag descriptor #borg on TikTok.
Getting creative: Using art-based techniques to identify how arts organizations enhance young people’s well-being
Mental health concerns present significant challenges for Australian youth. Arts organizations play a key role in promoting preventative mental health strate-gies through enhancing the social and emotional well-being (SEWB) of youth. However, little is known about how the arts promote SEWB and the processes and contexts through which this occurs.
A novel skin cancer prevention strategy: Preservice teachers' perceptions of a sun safety intervention and experiences in schools
Teachers play a vital role in developing children's sun protection routines however upskilling preservice teachers (PSTs) while at university has not yet been trialled as a targeted skin cancer prevention strategy. Hence, this study investigated PSTs perceptions and experiences of sun safety following a brief pilot intervention and placement in primary schools in Western Australia.
Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children
Teachers are responsible for children at school during peak ultraviolet (UV) times of the day. It is paramount that teachers have knowledge and understanding of UV to effectively protect themselves and their students. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of a short intervention on preservice teachers’ sun protective behaviours, knowledge and perceived skill to teach sun safety.
Education and Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy – Edith Cowan University , 2007
- Post Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion – Curtin University, 1994
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) – University of Western Australia, 1989
Awards/Honours
- In December 2021 Robyn received The Kids Research Institute Australia VOTE Values Award: nominated by her colleagues as embodying the Institute’s value of Collaboration.
Active Collaborations
- Cancer Council of WA