Biography
Miranda is an Alfred Deakin Post-doctoral Research Fellow within the Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention.
Miranda leads a research program within the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Food Retail EnvironmentS for Health (RE-FRESH) network of researchers and policy makers. Her research focuses on the implementation of healthy food retail initiatives and policies, with a particular interest in evaluating and leveraging diverse stakeholder perspectives to support initiatives. Miranda's research approach uses novel and mixed methods and embeds knowledge translation, including by engaging with partners, such as Nutrition Australia, VicHealth, local governments, and the Victorian Department of Health, in all stages of research.
Miranda is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian, an Institute for Health Transformation-Nutrition Australia Partnership Liaison, chair of the Dietitians Australia Food Regulation and Policy Advocacy Working Group, and member of the Nourish Network Advisory Committee.
Read more on Miranda's profileBiography summary
Miranda is an Alfred Deakin Post-doctoral Research Fellow within the Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention. Miranda leads a research program within the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Food Retail EnvironmentS for Health (RE-FRESH) network of researchers and policy makers on the implementation of healthy food retail policies.
Career highlights
2021 Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
2018 Institute for Health Transformation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
2018 VicHealth Award; Promoting healthy eating: "Sport and Recreation Healthy Eating in the West" - In partnership with Wyndham City Counci
2014 University Medal for undergraduate academic achievement; Monash University
2012 Sir John Monash Medal for Outstanding Achievement; Monash University
2012 Dux of Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics; Monash University
Research interests
Food policy
Healthy food retail
Commercial determinants of health
Obesity prevention
Implementation science
Affiliations
Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Dietitians Australia
Professional activities
Team Lead, Nourish Network Local Government Food Policy Research Action Team
Member of Nourish Network Advisory Committee (NNAC)
Chair, Food Regulation and Policy Advocacy Working Group, Dietitians Australia
Associate Editor, Public Health Nutrition
Research groups
Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE)
NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Food Retail Environments for Health (REFRESH)
Awards
2022 Young Achiever Award; Dietitians Australi
2018 VicHealth Award; Promoting Healthy Eating: "Sport and Recreation Healthy Eating in the West" – with Wyndham City Council
2018 VicHealth Award; Finalist- Research In Action "The business case for healthy food retail”
2016 Australian Health Economics Society Doctoral Workshop, best student presentation
2016 ICD LEAP travel grant; Dietitians’ Association of Australia
2015-18 Australian Postgraduate Award, PhD scholarship; Monash University; $86,000
2015-17 Bright Sparks Top-up Scholarship; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute; $18,000
2015 Monash University postgraduate epidemiology student award; Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA)
2014 University Medal for undergraduate academic achievement; Monash University
2013 Wilson Clay/Hoover Prize, Best research poster award; International Lactation Consultant's Association
2013 Monash Global Scholarship; Monash University; $4,000
2012 Sir John Monash Medal for Outstanding Achievement; Monash University
2012 Dux of Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics; Monash University
2009-12 Academic Merit Scholarship; Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; $24,000
Projects
Key projects include:
Promoting CHANGE (Community Health, and Nutrition and Government Engagement) to promote healthy food environments in local government-owned facilities
Water in Sport initiative to reduce the availability of sugary drinks in sporting facilities
Systems Thinking Approach for Retail Transformation (START) map which supports researchers and health promotion practitioners to identify key opportunities and points of tension in the implementation of healthy food retail initiatives
Publications
Consumer willingness to pay for healthier food products: A systematic review
M Alsubhi, M Blake, T Nguyen, I Majmudar, M Moodie, J Ananthapavan
(2023), Vol. 24, Obesity Reviews, C1
A Gupta, L Alston, C Needham, E Robinson, J Marshall, T Boelsen-Robinson, M Blake, C Huggins, A Peeters
(2022), Vol. 14, pp. 1-18, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1
J Ananthapavan, G Sacks, L Orellana, J Marshall, E Robinson, M Moodie, M Blake, A Brown, R Carter, A Cameron
(2022), Vol. 14, pp. 1-18, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Change in the Healthiness of Foods Sold in an Australian Supermarket Chain Following Implementation of a Shelf Tag Intervention Based on the Health Star Rating System
A Cameron, A Brown, L Orellana, J Marshall, E Charlton, W Ngan, J Ananthapavan, J Isaacs, M Blake, G Sacks
(2022), Vol. 14, pp. 1-12, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Implementation and sales impact of a capacity building intervention in Australian sporting facility food outlets: A longitudinal observational study
M Blake, H Romaniuk, D Riesenberg, T Boelsen-Robinson, A Cameron, L Orellana, A Peeters
(2022), Vol. 5, pp. 171-181, BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health, C1
Understanding Enablers and Barriers to the Implementation of Nutrition Standards in Publicly Funded Institutions in Victoria
E Rosewarne, W Chislett, B McKenzie, C Mhurchu, T Boelsen-Robinson, M Blake, J Webster
(2022), Vol. 14, Nutrients, C1
Local government policies on healthy food promotion and obesity prevention: results from a national Australian survey
D Riesenberg, M Blake, T Boelsen-Robinson, A Peeters, A Cameron
(2022), Vol. 46, pp. 696-703, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, C1
Exploring the effects of added sugar labels on food purchasing behaviour in Australian parents: An online randomised controlled trial
D Riesenberg, A Peeters, K Backholer, J Martin, C Mhurchu, M Blake
(2022), Vol. 17, PLoS ONE, C1
The impact of primary school nutrition policy on the school food environment: a systematic review
L Grigsby-Duffy, R Brooks, T Boelsen-Robinson, M Blake, K Backholer, C Palermo, A Peeters
(2022), Vol. 37, Health promotion international, C1
Integrating nutrition and obesity prevention considerations into institutional investment decisions regarding food companies: Australian investment sector perspectives
E Robinson, C Parker, R Carey, A Foerster, M Blake, G Sacks
(2022), Vol. 18, Globalization and Health, C1
Retailer-led healthy pricing interventions: A pilot study within aquatic and recreation centres in Victoria, Australia
O Huse, L Orellana, M Ferguson, C Palermo, A Jerebine, C Zorbas, T Boelsen-Robinson, M Blake, A Peeters, J Brimblecombe, M Moodie, K Backholer
(2021), Vol. 36, pp. 430-448, Health Promotion International, England, C1
E Robinson, M Blake, G Sacks
(2021), Vol. 10, pp. 857-870, International journal of health policy and management, Iran, C1
M Blake, T Boelsen-Robinson, L Hanna, A Ryan, A Peeters
(2021), Vol. 24, pp. 2669-2680, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1
A Gupta, N Billich, N George, M Blake, O Huse, K Backholer, T Boelsen-Robinson, A Peeters
(2021), Vol. 79, pp. 1165-1181, Nutrition Reviews, United States, C1
Mapping factors associated with a successful shift towards healthier food retail in community-based organisations: A systems approach
T Boelsen-Robinson, M Blake, A Brown, O Huse, C Palermo, N George, A Peeters
(2021), Vol. 101, Food Policy, C1
The 'Eat Well @ IGA' healthy supermarket randomised controlled trial: process evaluation
M Blake, G Sacks, C Zorbas, J Marshall, L Orellana, A Brown, M Moodie, C Ni Mhurchu, J Ananthapavan, F Etilé, A Cameron
(2021), Vol. 18, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, England, C1
Business outcomes of healthy food service initiatives in schools: A systematic review
C Thorpe, T Boelsen-Robinson, A Cameron, M Blake
(2021), Vol. 22, Obesity Reviews, England, C1
T Boelsen-Robinson, A Jerebine, A Kurzeme, B Gilham, O Huse, M Blake, K Backholer, A Chung, A Peeters
(2021), Vol. 24, pp. 5166-5175, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1
M Blake, A Peeters, C Livaditis, A Cameron
(2021), Vol. 121, pp. 2201-2209.e14, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, United States, C1
A Proposed Research Agenda for Promoting Healthy Retail Food Environments in the East Asia-Pacific Region
A Cameron, E Reeve, J Marshall, T Scapin, O Huse, D Riesenberg, D Jeyapalan, S Demaio, F Watson, R Kupka, K Correa, M Blake, K Backholer, A Peeters, G Sacks
(2021), Vol. 10, pp. 267-281, Current Nutrition Reports, United States, C1
Recreation centre managers' perceptions of pricing interventions to promote healthy eating
Oliver Huse, Christina Zorbas, Alethea Jerebine, Ari Kurzeme, Miranda Blake, Megan Ferguson, Claire Palermo, Anna Peeters, Liliana Orellana, Julie Brimblecombe, Marj Moodie, Kathryn Backholer
(2020), Vol. 35, pp. 682-691, Health promotion international, Oxford, Eng., C1
C Needham, L Orellana, S Allender, G Sacks, M Blake, C Strugnell
(2020), Vol. 17, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
A Ryan, O Huse, M Blake, T Boelsen-Robinson, K Noble, A Peeters
(2020), Vol. 23, pp. 1832-1837, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1
D Riesenberg, M Blake, T Boelsen-Robinson, A Peeters, A Cameron
(2020), Vol. 44, pp. 240-244, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Chichester, Eng., C1
M Blake, S Dubey, J Swait, E Lancsar, P Ghijben
(2020), Vol. 117, pp. 44-57, Journal of business research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
B Vicki, T Huong, B Miranda, L Rachel, M Marj
(2020), Vol. 18, Health Research Policy and Systems, England, C1
Implementing healthy food policies in health services: a qualitative study
Tara Boelsen-Robinson, Miranda Blake, Kathryn Backholer, Janitha Hettiarachchi, Claire Palermo, Anna Peeters
(2019), Vol. 76, pp. 336-343, Nutrition and dietetics, Chichester, Eng., C1
Sugar-sweetened beverage price elasticities in a hypothetical convenience store
M Blake, E Lancsar, A Peeters, K Backholer
(2019), Vol. 225, pp. 98-107, Social Science and Medicine, England, C1
C Zorbas, B Gilham, T Boelsen-Robinson, M Blake, A Peeters, A Cameron, J Wu, K Backholer
(2019), Vol. 43, pp. 346-351, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Australia, C1
Investigating business outcomes of healthy food retail strategies: a systematic scoping review
M Blake, K Backholer, E Lancsar, T Boelsen-Robinson, C Mah, J Brimblecombe, C Zorbas, N Billich, A Peeters
(2019), Vol. 20, pp. 1384-1399, Obesity Reviews, Chichester, Eng., C1
Devorah Riesenberg, Kathryn Backholer, Christina Zorbas, Gary Sacks, Anna Paix, Josephine Marshall, Miranda Blake, Rebecca Bennett, Anna Peeters, Adrian Cameron
(2019), Vol. 109, pp. 1434-1439, American journal of public health, Washington, D.C., C1
M Blake, A Peeters, E Lancsar, T Boelsen-Robinson, K Corben, C Stevenson, C Palermo, K Backholer
(2018), Vol. 118, pp. 1027-1036.e8, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Miranda Blake, Emily Lancsar, Anna Peeters, Kathryn Backholer
(2018), Vol. 126, pp. 156-162, Appetite, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
N Billich, M Blake, K Backholer, M Cobcroft, V Li, A Peeters
(2018), Vol. 128, pp. 233-241, Appetite, England, C1
Healthy Eating in the West- Follow-up evaluation: City of Wyndham
Miranda Blake, Angela Ryan, Anna Peeters
(2018), Geelong, Vic., A6
The effect of a change to healthy vending in a major Australian health service on sales of healthy and unhealthy food and beverages
T Boelsen-Robinson, K Backholer, K Corben, M Blake, C Palermo, A Peeters
(2017), Vol. 114, pp. 73-81, Appetite, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
The effect on drink sales of removal of unhealthy drinks from display in a self-service café
O Huse, M Blake, R Brooks, K Corben, A Peeters
(2016), Vol. 19, pp. 3142-3145, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1
M Blake, J Raker, K Whelan
(2016), Vol. 44, pp. 693-703, Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, England, C1
A mixed-methods impact evaluation of the feasibility of an initiative in small rural stores to improve access to fruit and vegetables
C Palermo, B Gardiner, C Gee, S Charaktis, M Blake
(2016), Vol. 22, pp. 545-553, Australian Journal of Primary Health, Australia, C1
Socioeconomic inequalities in diet quality: from identifying the problem to implementing solutions
A Peeters, M Blake
(2016), Vol. 5, pp. 150-159, Current nutrition reports, New York, N.Y., C1
B Gardiner, M Blake, R Harris, C Gee, S Charaktis, C Choong, R Lade, L Duff, C Palermo
(2013), Vol. 24, pp. 192-198, Health promotion journal of Australia, Chichester, Eng., C1-1
J Smith, M Blake
(2013), Vol. 37, pp. 337-344, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Chichester, Eng., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Capacity building health promotion practitioners to implement healthy food retail initiatives
Dr Tara Boelsen-Robinson, Dr Miranda Blake, Mr Andrew Brown, Prof Anna Peeters
NHMRC TAPPC (Sax Institute) Seed Funding Grant
- 2021: $5,000
Promoting CHANGE (Community Health And Nutrition, and Government Engagement): a Randomised Controlled Trial to accelerate healthy food retail in local government settings
Dr Miranda Blake, A/Prof Adrian Cameron, Prof Anna Peeters, Mrs Jaithri Ananthapavan, Dr Helena Romaniuk, Prof Steven Allender, Prof Gary Sacks, Dr Luke Wolfenden, Dr Emma McMahon
NHMRC - Partnership Project
- 2022: $16,911
Other Public Sector Funding
Evaluation Support Water in Sports Initiative 2017-2020 Proj ID: 27136
Prof Anna Peeters, Dr Miranda Blake, A/Prof Lukar Thornton, A/Prof Adrian Cameron, Dr Dominique Condo, Dr Tara Boelsen-Robinson
VicHealth
- 2021: $20,000
- 2020: $89,144
- 2019: $100,000
- 2018: $100,000
Food swamps, deserts or swampy deserts? Do regional Victorian children have access to healthy food retail? Does this influence weight status, dietary intake and wellbeing
Dr Claudia Strugnell, Dr Cindy Needham, Prof Liliana Orellana, Prof Steven Allender, Dr Miranda Blake, Ms Jane Jacobs, Prof Gary Sacks
VicHealth Partnerships for Impact Research Grant
- 2022: $30,000
- 2021: $150,000
A rapid review of international examples of sustainable change to food environments in public institutions, for the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity.
Prof Anna Peeters, Dr Tara Boelsen-Robinson, Dr Miranda Blake, Dr Shaan Naughton
VicHealth Grant - Research
- 2020: $30,000
Accelerating the implementation of healthy food and drink policies in Retail Outlets.
Prof Anna Peeters, Ms Victoria Hobbs, Dr Miranda Blake, Dr Tara Boelsen-Robinson, Dr Adyya Gupta
Department of Health and Human Services - Victoria
- 2020: $25,000
Healthy and sustainable cities: tool for assessing local government food policy
Prof Gary Sacks, A/Prof Adrian Cameron, Dr Belinda Reeve, Dr Miranda Blake, Prof Steven Allender, Dr Karen Anderson, Prof Timothy Skinner, Dr Davina Mann
VicHealth Impact Research Grant
- 2023: $10,000
- 2021: $90,000
Developing a research agenda to support improvement in urban food retail environments in LMICs from the Asia Pacific Region.
A/Prof Adrian Cameron, Prof Gary Sacks, Ms Josephine Marshall, Mr Oliver Huse, Dr Miranda Blake, Prof Kathryn Backholer, Prof Anna Peeters
VicHealth
- 2021: $15,432
Industry and Other Funding
Testing co-created implementation tools to support transformation of healthier food retail environments
Dr Tara Boelsen-Robinson, Dr Miranda Blake, Ms Sherridan Cluff, Ms Victoria Hobbs, Dr Courtney Barnes, Mx Tari Bowling, Dr Shaan Naughton, Ms Maria del Carmen Vargas Ares, Prof Anna Peeters, Dr Kate Huggins
The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre - Rapid Response Research Grant Program
- 2022: $25,000
Supervisions
No completed student supervisions to report