Mardie Townsend
Role and profile
Associate Professor Townsend teaches in the areas of Public Health and Family and Society in the School of Health and Social Development. She teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level and also supervises higher degree students. She is an active researcher whose research interests include: the human health benefits of interaction with nature; urban and rural contexts for health and wellbeing; social and health impact assessment; and housing and homelessness. Teaching responsibilities
Unit Chair HSH736Unit Chair HSH740 4 PhD students 1 masters major project student 2 masters minor project students 1 honours student Research interests
Associate Professor Townsend is involved, in collaboration with Parks Victoria and other partner organisations, in investigating the benefits of contact with nature for human health and wellbeing. Current and recent research includes: an investigation of health and wellbeing outcomes of differing levels of access to nature for residents of high-rise housing; a study of mental health benefits of hands-on nature based activities in primary schools; a nature based intervention program for people suffering depression, anxiety and/or social isolation; an assessment of health benefits of a visiting companion animal program in an acute care hospital; several projects exploring the health and wellbeing outcomes of ‘bush adventure therapy’ programs in Australia; several projects exploring the benefits of environmental volunteering; and a project assessing the valuing and use of parks in high and low SES areas. Other recent research undertaken by Associate Professor Townsend has included: several studies of the use of parks and open spaces; a study of the cumulative impacts of policy change on two small Victorian rural communities; a study for the UK Housing Corporation on the housing needs and aspirations of British women between 2000 and 2020; and a study of the role of physical activity and sport in building social capital in rural communities. Awards and prizes
• 1999 Recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching • 2004 Recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellent Contributions to the Community • 2005 Recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning Memberships
Public Health Association of AustraliaInternational Union for Health Promotion and Education International Association for Ecology and Health Service to the University, discipline or community
Associate Professor Townsend is involved in a range of School, Faculty and University committees:She is a member of the following Deakin committees and groups: Deakin University Environmental Policy Sub Committee Deakin Graduate School of Business Advisory Board School of Health and Social Development School Board She is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the journal EcoHealth, and regularly reviews articles for the following journals: Health Promotion International, International Journal of Consumer Studies, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, and Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. Conferences
• Human Nature Connections : 'The importance of green spaces and urban parks for health and wellbeing'. Invited keynote presentation at Agencies for Nutrition Action Conference, Wellington, NZ, May 2009•'A World without Parks?' It Makes You Sick to Think of it!' Invited keynote presentation at Parks Forum Conference, Auckland, NZ, May 2008. • 'The Nature Connection', Presentation to the 'Stirring the Possum' Public Forum, run by the South Australian Department of Environment and Natural Resources, at The Sanctury, Adelaide Zoo, April 2011. • ‘Healthy Environments, Healthy People: The effect of biodiversity on health and wellbeing of individuals and families in rural communities’, Presentation to Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Board, ‘Brush with Biodiversity’ Conference, Kingscote, KI October 2010 • ‘Climate Change and Human Health’, Presentation to the Frankston City Council Community Workshop, May 2010 • ‘Healthy Parks = Healthy People? The Importance of Nature and the Outdoor Life’, Presentation to the City of Melbourne’s ‘Melbourne Conversations’ Public Forum, April 2010 • ‘Investing in Wellbeing: Healthy People, Healthy Business’, Presentation to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia Forum, March 2010 |
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21st May 2012