Biography
Samantha is a public health sociologist in the Disability, Inclusion, and Advocacy Research team at the Centre for Population Health Research. She is also the Higher Degree Research Coordinator for the School of Health and Social Development.
She specialises in understanding the range of factors that may contribute to the prevention and reduction of gambling related harm. Samantha has conducted a range of studies in the area of gambling, including the impact of gambling advertising on young people, young men and sports betting, young women's gambling, and factors that may contribute to the normalisation of gambling.
Prior to joining Deakin, Samantha worked at the World Health Organisation (Geneva), King's College London, Monash University, and the University of Wollongong.
Samantha has an extensive track record in competitive grant funding, and has received grants from ARC, NHMRC, Victorian Department of Justice, and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.
Samantha is currently conducting research funded by the Australian Research Council on the impact of sports betting marketing on young men and young people. She is also lead investigator on two projects funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation on young women and gambling, and older adults and poker machine harm.
Samantha has provided expert testimony to a number of Australian Parliamentary Inquiries, most recently to the Australian Senate Committee on Gambling Reform. Her work is regularly featured in national and international press including ABC Four Corners.
She is currently an associate editor at Harm Reduction Journal.
Samantha currently supervises five PhD students in the area of gambling harm. Projects include young people and gambling (Hannah Pitt), community engagement with poker machine venues (Amy Bestman), stigma and gambling (Helen Miller), advocacy (Jennifer David), women and gambling related harm (Simone McCarthy).
Read more on Samantha's profileResearch interests
Samantha has an extensive track record in competitive grant funding, and has received grants from ARC, NHMRC, Victorian Department of Justice, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, and the AFL Research Board. Her two most recent ARC Discovery Grants explore the ways in which Australian families interpret and respond to weight messaging, and the impact of sports betting marketing on th gambling attitudes and behaviours of young men, and children.
Samantha is also conducting research funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation on the contributing factors to problem gambling stigma; mapping and monitoring gambling industry tactics; and understanding the processes that may lead to the normalisation of gambling.
Knowledge areas
Gambling.
Commercial determinants of health.
Qualitative research.
Publications
Parent and child perceptions of gambling promotions in Australian sport
Jennifer David, Samantha Thomas, Melanie Randle, Hannah Pitt, Mike Daube
(2020), Vol. 35, pp. 362-372, Health promotion international, Oxford, Eng., C1
A public health advocacy approach for preventing and reducing gambling related harm
J David, S Thomas, M Randle, M Daube
(2020), Vol. 44, pp. 14-19, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Chichester, Eng., C1
J David, S Thomas, M Randle, M Daube, S Balandin
(2019), Vol. 27, pp. 210-219, Addiction research and theory, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Amy Bestman, Samantha Thomas, Melanie Randle, Hannah Pitt, Mike Daube
(2019), Vol. 30, pp. 413-421, Health promotion journal of Australia, Chichester, Eng., C1
S Cowlishaw, S Merkouris, N Dowling, S Rodda, A Suomi, S Thomas
(2019), Vol. 92, pp. 32-37, Addictive behaviors, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Simone McCarthy, Samantha Thomas, Maria Bellringer, Rebecca Cassidy
(2019), Vol. 16, pp. 1-11, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
Natalie Djohari, Gavin Weston, Rebecca Cassidy, Martyn Wemyss, Samantha Thomas
(2019), Vol. 16, pp. 1-12, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
'Everyone knows grandma'. Pathways to gambling venues in regional Australia
Amy Bestman, Samantha Thomas, Melanie Randle, H Pitt, Rebecca Cassidy, Mike Daube
(2019), pp. 1-10, Health Promotion International, Oxford, Eng., C1
H Miller, S Thomas
(2018), Vol. 26, pp. 85-94, Addiction research and theory, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Industry interests in gambling research: lessons learned from other forms of hazardous consumption
S Cowlishaw, S Thomas
(2018), Vol. 78, pp. 101-106, Addictive Behaviors, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Amy Bestman, Samantha Thomas, Melanie Randle, Hannah Pitt, Mike Daube
(2018), Vol. 15, pp. 1-10, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
Helen Miller, Samantha Thomas, Priscilla Robinson
(2018), Vol. 15, pp. 1-10, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
Simone McCarthy, Samantha Thomas, Melanie Randle, Amy Bestman, Hannah Pitt, Sean Cowlishaw, Mike Daube
(2018), Vol. 15, pp. 1-12, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
Samantha Thomas, Amy Bestman, Hannah Pitt, Rebecca Cassidy, Simone McCarthy, Christian Nyemcsok, Sean Cowlishaw, Mike Daube
(2018), Vol. 15, pp. 1-13, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
Hannah Pitt, Samantha Thomas, Amy Bestman, Melanie Randle, Mike Daube
(2018), Vol. 29, pp. 265-273, Health promotion journal of Australia, Chichester, Eng., C1
Young people's recall and perceptions of gambling advertising and intentions to gamble on sport
Christian Nyemcsok, Samantha Thomas, Amy Bestman, Hannah Pitt, Mike Daube, Rebecca Cassidy
(2018), Vol. 7, pp. 1068-1078, Journal of behavioral addictions, Budapest, Hungary, C1
E Deans, S Thomas, M Daube, J Derevensky
(2017), Vol. 25, pp. 103-113, Addiction research and theory, Abingdon, Eng., C1
E Deans, S Thomas, J Derevensky, M Daube
(2017), Vol. 14, pp. 1-12, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
H Pitt, S Thomas, A Bestman, M Daube, J Derevensky
(2017), Vol. 14, pp. 1-12, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
H Miller, S Thomas
(2017), Vol. 15, pp. 1284-1300, International journal of mental health and addiction, Berlin, Germany, C1
A Bestman, S Thomas, M Randle, H Pitt
(2017), Vol. 14, pp. 1-11, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
S Thomas, M Randle, A Bestman, H Pitt, S Bowe, S Cowlishaw, M Daube
(2017), Vol. 14, pp. 1-11, Harm reduction journal, London, Eng., C1
H Pitt, S Thomas, A Bestman, M Daube, J Derevensky
(2017), Vol. 41, pp. 604-610, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Chichester, Eng., C1
K Westberg, M Beverland, S Thomas
(2017), Vol. 37, pp. 426-443, Journal of macromarketing, London, Eng., C1-1
J David, S Thomas, M Randle, S Bowe, M Daube
(2017), Vol. 17, pp. 1-13, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
H Miller, S Thomas, K Smith, P Robinson
(2016), Vol. 24, pp. 163-176, Addiction research and theory, Abingdon, Eng., C1
A Bestman, S Thomas, M Randle, H Pitt, M Daube, S Pettigrew
(2016), Vol. 24, pp. 152-162, Addiction research and theory, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Gambling advocacy: lessons from tobacco, alcohol and junk food
S Thomas, J David, M Randle, M Daube, K Senior
(2016), Vol. 40, pp. 211-217, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, North Melbourne, Vic., C1-1
Obese people's perceptions of the thin ideal
D Couch, S Thomas, S Lewis, R Blood, K Holland, P Komesaroff
(2016), Vol. 148, pp. 60-70, Social science & medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
M Dickins, C Browning, S Feldman, S Thomas
(2016), Vol. 38, pp. 797-811, Sociology of health & illness, Chichester, Eng., C1-1
E Deans, S Thomas, M Daube, J Derevensky, R Gordon
(2016), Vol. 16, pp. 1-11, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
"It's just everywhere!" Children and parents discuss the marketing of sports wagering in Australia
H Pitt, S Thomas, A Bestman, M Stoneham, M Daube
(2016), Vol. 40, pp. 480-486, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, London, Eng., C1
A Thiel, H Thedinga, S Thomas, H Barkhoff, K Giel, O Schweizer, S Thiel, S Zipfel
(2016), Vol. 16, pp. 1-15, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
E Deans, S Thomas, M Daube, J Derevensky
(2016), Vol. 166, pp. 110-119, Social science and medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
H Pitt, S Thomas, A Bestman
(2016), Vol. 16, pp. 1-12, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
Child and parent recall of gambling sponsorship in Australian sport
S Thomas, H Pitt, A Bestman, M Randle, M Daube, S Pettigrew
(2016), North Melbourne, Vic., A6
Viewing The Biggest Loser : modes of reception and reflexivity among obese people
K Holland, R Blood, S Thomas
(2015), Vol. 25, pp. 16-32, Social semiotics, Oxford, Eng., C1-1
C Maher, M Ferguson, C Vandelanotte, R Plotnikoff, I De Bourdeaudhuij, S Thomas, K Nelson-Field, T Olds
(2015), Vol. 17, pp. e174-e174, Journal of medical internet research, Toronto, Ont., C1-1
Z Richards, S Thomas, M Randle, S Pettigrew
(2015), Vol. 39, pp. 550-556, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, London, Eng., C1
Children's implicit recall of junk food, alcohol and gambling sponsorship in Australian sport
A Bestman, S Thomas, M Randle, S Thomas
(2015), Vol. 15, pp. 1-9, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
S Thomas, S Lewis, K Westberg
(2015), Vol. 18, pp. 124-136, Health expectations, London, Eng., C1-1
Obese adults' perceptions of news reporting on obesity: the panopticon and synopticon at work
S Thomas, D Couch, W Blood, Lewis, S, P Komesaroff
(2015), Vol. 5, pp. 1-14, Sage open, London, Eng., C1
S Thomas, S Thomas
(2015), Vol. 22, pp. 39-42, Australasian epidemiologist, Canberra, A.C.T., C1
S Thomas, T Olds, S Pettigrew, H Yeatman, J Hyde, C Dragovic
(2014), Vol. 14, pp. 1-11, BMC Public Health, London, Eng., C1
H Miller, S Thomas, P Robinson, M Daube
(2014), Vol. 38, pp. 529-535, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, London, Eng., C1-1
S Thomas, T Olds, S Pettigrew, M Randle, S Lewis
(2014), Vol. 119, pp. 114-122, Social science and medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
S Pettigrew, K Chapman, C Miller, S Thomas
(2014), Vol. 1, pp. 1-12, BMC obesity, London, Eng., C1-1
What influences the beliefs, behaviours and consumption patterns of 'moderate risk' gamblers?
S Thomas, S Lewis, K Westberg, J Derevensky
(2013), Vol. 11, pp. 474-489, International journal of mental health and addiction, Berlin, Germany, C1-1
S Lindsay, S Thomas, S Lewis, K Westberg, R Moodie, S Jones
(2013), Vol. 13, pp. 1-11, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1-1
Clustering of attitudes towards obesity: a mixed methods study of Australian parents and children
T Olds, S Thomas, S Lewis, J Petkov
(2013), Vol. 10, pp. 1-11, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, Eng., C1-1
K Holland, R Blood, S Thomas, S Lewis
(2013), Vol. 51, pp. 431-445, Journal of sociology, Thousand Oaks, Calif., C1-1
F McKay, S Thomas, S Kneebone
(2012), Vol. 25, pp. 113-133, Journal of Refugee Studies, Oxford, UK, C1-1
S Thomas, S Lewis, J Duong, C McLeod
(2012), Vol. 36, pp. 145-152, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, London, Eng., C1-1
Relationship between severity of obesity and mental health: an Australian community survey
N Knoesen, S Mancuso, S Thomas, P Komesaroff, S Lewis, D Castle
(2012), Vol. 4, pp. 67-75, Asia-Pacific psychiatry, London, Eng., C1-1
S Thomas, S Lewis, C McLeod, J Haycock
(2012), Vol. 12, pp. 111-127, International gambling studies, London, Eng., C1-1
A qualitative investigation of obese men's experiences with their weight
S Lewis, S Thomas, J Hyde, D Castle, P Komesaroff
(2011), Vol. 35, pp. 458-469, American journal of health behavior, Star City, W. Va., C1-1
F McKay, S Thomas, R Blood
(2011), Vol. 12, pp. 607-626, Journalism: theory, practice & criticism, London, England, C1-1
F McKay, S Thomas, K Holland, R Blood, S Kneebone
(2011), Vol. 9, pp. 20-37, Journal of immigration and refugee studies, Abingdon, England, C1-1
S Lewis, S Thomas, R Blood, D Castle, J Hyde, P Komesaroff
(2011), Vol. 73, pp. 1349-1356, Social science and medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
S Lewis, S Thomas, R Blood, D Castle, J Hyde, P Komesaroff
(2011), Vol. 14, pp. 339-350, Health expectations, London, Eng., C1-1
M Dickins, S Thomas, B King, S Lewis, K Holland
(2011), Vol. 21, pp. 1679-1691, Qualitative health research, London, Eng., C1-1
Our girth is plain to see: an analysis of newspaper coverage of Australia's future 'fat bomb'
K Holland, R Blood, S Thomas, S Lewis, P Komesaroff, D Castle
(2011), Vol. 13, pp. 31-46, Health, risk and society, London, Eng., C1-1
S Thomas, S Lewis, J Hyde, D Castle, P Komesaroff
(2010), Vol. 10, pp. 1-9, BMC public health, London, England, C1-1
'Just bloody fat!' : a qualitative study of body image, self esteem and coping in obese adults
S Thomas, A Karunaratne, S Lewis, D Castle, N Knoesen, R Honigman, J Hyde, R Kausman, P Komesaroff
(2010), Vol. 12, pp. 39-49, International journal of mental health promotion, London, England, C1-1
S Lewis, S Thomas, R Blood, J Hyde, D Castle, P Komesaroff
(2010), Vol. 7, pp. 443-459, International journal of environmental research and public health, Basel, Switzerland, C1-1
S Lewis, S Thomas, J Hyde, D Castle, R Blood, P Komesaroff
(2010), Vol. 10, BMC Public Health, C1-1
A Karunaratne, S Korenman, S Thomas, P Myles, P Komesaroff
(2010), Vol. 192, pp. 388-392, Medical Journal of Australia, C1-1
S Thomas, S Milnes, P Komesaroff
(2009), Vol. 39, pp. 588-594, Internal medicine journal, London, Eng., C1-1
S Thomas, J Hyde, A Karunaratne, R Kausman, P Komesaroff
(2008), Vol. 7, Nutrition journal, London, England, C1-1
S Thomas, J Hyde, A Karunaratne, D Herbert, P Komesaroff
(2008), Vol. 11, pp. 321-330, Health expectations, Oxford, England, C1-1
Cheapening the struggle : obese people's attitudes towards The Biggest Loser
S Thomas, J Hyde, P Komesaroff
(2007), Vol. 3, pp. 210-215, Obesity management, New Rochelle, N. Y., C1-1
The essential role of social theory in qualitative public health research
K Willis, J Daly, M Kealy, R Small, G Koutroulis, J Green, L Gibbs, S Thomas
(2007), Vol. 31, pp. 438-443, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, London, Eng., C1-1
S Thomas, D Herbert, A Street, C Barnes, J Boal, P Komesaroff
(2007), Vol. 13, pp. 633-641, Haemophilia, London, Eng., C1-1
Complementary medicine use among people living with HIV/AIDS in Victoria, Australia: practices, attitudes and perceptions
S Thomas, K Lam, L Piterman, A Mijch, P Komesaroff
(2007), Vol. 18, pp. 453-457, International journal of STD and AIDS, London, Eng., C1-1
Occupational stress and job satisfaction in media personnel assigned to the Iraq War (2003)
N Greenberg, S Thomas, D Murphy, C Dandeker
(2007), Vol. 1, pp. 356-371, Journalism practice, London, Eng., C1-1
Serving in Bosnia made me appreciate living in Bristol: stressful experiences, attitudes, and psychological needs of members of the United Kingdom Armed Forces
S Thomas, C Dandeker, N Greenberg, V Kelly, S Wessely
(2006), Vol. 171, pp. 376-380, Military medicine, Bethesda, Md., C1-1
Redeveloping secure psychiatric services for women
S Thomas, M Dolan, J Shaw, S Thomas, G Thornicroft, M Leese
(2005), Vol. 45, pp. 331-339, Medicine, science and the law, London, Eng., C1-1
M Dolan, S Thomas, S Thomas, G Thornicroft
(2005), Vol. 16, pp. 523-537, Journal of forensic psychiatry and psychology, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
I was running away from death - the pre-flight experiences of unaccompanied asylum seeking children in the UK
S Thomas, S Thomas, B Nafees, D Bhugra
(2004), Vol. 30, pp. 113-122, Child: care health and development, London, Eng., C1-1
S Thomas, S Thomas
(2004), Vol. 69, pp. 115-127, British medical bulletin, Oxford, Eng., C1-1
Research with unaccompanied children seeking asylum
S Thomas, S Byford
(2003), Vol. 327, pp. 1400-1402, BMJ, London, Eng., C1-1
Do military peacekeepers want to talk about their experiences? Perceived psychological support of UK military peacekeepers on return from deployment
N Greenberg, S Thomas, A Iversen, C Unwin, L Hull, S Wessely
(2003), Vol. 12, pp. 565-573, Journal of mental health, London, Eng., C1-1
Female genital mutilation: cultural and psychological implications
J Whitehorn, O Ayonrinde, S Thomas
(2002), Vol. 17, pp. 161-170, Sexual and relationship therapy, London, Eng., C1-1
Mental health and human rights: the MI Principles - turning rhetoric into action
S Thomas, G Thornicroft, P Huxley, R Jenkins, G Szmukler
(2002), Vol. 14, pp. 19-25, International review of psychiatry, London, Eng., C1-1
Patterns of general practitioner usage among Pacific people: indicative results from the Waikato Medical Care Survey 1991-2
P Davis, R Lay-Yee, S Thomas, B Gribben
(1997), Vol. 110, pp. 335-336, New Zealand medical journal, Dunedin, N.Z., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Selling The Punt: An interdisciplinary analysis of the extent and impact of sports wagering marketing strategies in Australia.
Prof Samantha Thomas, Prof Michael Daube, Dr Ross Gordon, Prof Gerard Hastings, Prof Jeffrey Derevensky
ARC - Discovery Projects
- 2017: $48,077
- 2016: $110,948
The big gamble: The normalisation of gambling in Australia
Prof Samantha Thomas, Dr Melanie Randle, Prof Michael Daube, Prof Susan Balandin, Dr Sean Cowlishaw, Prof Sylvia Kairouz, Dr Rebecca Cassidy
ARC - Discovery Projects
- 2020: $68,898
- 2019: $86,909
Other Public Sector Funding
A public health analysis of gambling marketing activities: Themes, targets, and impacts.
Prof Samantha Thomas, Prof Michael Daube, Dr Melanie Randle, Prof Simone Pettigrew
- 2016: $48,064
The commercial determinants of gambling normalisation: Causes, consequences and public health advocacy responses
Prof Samantha Thomas, Prof Michael Daube, Dr Melanie Randle, Dr Melissa Stoneham
- 2018: $7,874
- 2017: $70,874
- 2016: $78,749
Rethinking Approaches to Reducing Problem Gambling Stigma
Prof Samantha Thomas, Prof Stuart Thomas
- 2016: $23,276
The shaping of adolescent and young adult women's gambling risk behaviours: A socio-cultural investigation of gambling attitudes, beliefs and consumption intentions
Prof Samantha Thomas, Dr Hannah Pitt, Miss Amy Bestman
- 2018: $48,749
- 2017: $65,903
Pathways to the Pokies
Prof Samantha Thomas, Prof Susan Balandin, Dr Melanie Randle, Dr Sean Cowlishaw
- 2019: $18,275
- 2018: $42,643
People with lifelong disability and their lived experiences of gambling
Dr Hannah Pitt, Dr Joanne Watson, Miss Amy Bestman, Prof Samantha Thomas, Prof Susan Balandin
- 2020: $19,847
- 2019: $14,885
- 2018: $9,923
Responsible gambling for preventing and reducing harm through digital education.
Dr Nick Patterson, Mrs Sophie Mckenzie, Prof Jo Coldwell-Neilson, Dr Elicia Lanham, Dr Guy Wood-Bradley, Dr Chathu Ranaweera, Prof Samantha Thomas, Dr Hannah Pitt
- 2019: $75,000
The receptivity of young people to gambling marketing strategies on social media platforms.
Dr Hannah Pitt, Prof Samantha Thomas
- 2020: $19,841
Supervisions
Jennifer David
Thesis entitled: The role of public health advocacy: Strategies to prevent and reduce gambling related harm
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health & Social Development
Amy Bestman
Thesis entitled: Pathways to Electronic Gambling Machine Venues in New South Wales
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health & Social Development
Helen Miller
Thesis entitled: The problem with 'responsible' gambling: Government, industry and consumer approaches.
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health & Social Development
Hannah Pitt
Thesis entitled: Sports betting advertising: Shaping children's gambling attitudes and consumption intentions
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health & Social Development
Emily Deans
Thesis entitled: Young men's gambling: The influence of socio-cultural and marketing factors
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health & Social Development