Health, Nature and Sustainability Research Group

Health and the natural environment are inextricably linked. The Health, Nature and Sustainability Research Group (HNSRG) looks at this relationship from two angles: using nature to improve health and wellbeing, and protecting the environment to ensure sustained health for future generations.

Our vision

To lead research and teaching on the health implications of the links between humans and the natural environment.

Our key priorities

Strategic partnerships

To sustain existing collaborations and capitalise on the current and emerging opportunities for industry and community partnerships, both in Australia and internationally.

Research

To continue to develop the evidence base on the links between human health and the natural environment and encourage and foster honours and PhD projects.

Education and training

To promote interdisciplinary learning on the links between human health and the natural environment at a range of levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate and the wider community.

Deakin has a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in health sciences, health promotion and public health that offer pathways in health and sustainability and environmental health. This offers you the opportunity to broaden practice to address significant environmental issues that will impact on health.

You will receive a range of skills to address important issues such as climate change, ecosystem degradation and food security. Systems thinking, environmental and urban planning legislation, environmental justice, policy and planning systems and inter-sectoral collaboration are some of the key features of this program.

Publications and dissemination

To widely disseminate the results of our research through publications and other media.

Grants

To seek and secure the funding and support necessary to achieve our vision.

Our leading research

Our researchers work across a number of areas, including:

  • animal assisted therapy
  • eco-psychology
  • education for sustainability and about the environment
  • human relationships with nature
  • health promotion and climate change
  • parks, wilderness and health
  • human interaction with nature and health, and wilderness therapy
  • environmental volunteering.

Our research collaborations include high-profile organisations such as Parks Victoria and the Climate and Health Alliance.

National Strategy for Climate, Health and Wellbeing

Our research staff are collaborating with the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) toward the development of a national strategy in this important area.

Healthy Parks, Healthy People: the state of the evidence 2015

A consolidation of research examining the health and wellbeing benefits of connection with nature, and the justification for promotion of, and investment in parks as settings that enhance wellbeing of community members across the lifespan.

Find out more about the project

Principles for Healthy and Sustainable Places

Ten principles for healthy and sustainable places distilled from contemporary leaders in global urban health. This report was undertaken by Dr Rebecca Patrick for the World Urban Campaign.

Find out more about the project

Greening Deakin, Greening Communities: Setting up university community gardens

This study used a mixed methods approach, consisting of an online survey and interviews, to investigate the opportunities and barriers for developing a community garden on Deakin University’s Burwood Campus.

An online survey of staff and student across the Burwood campus was conducted and 532 staff and students replied to our survey –84% thought it would be a great idea.

Much support was also shown for a range of other health and sustainable food activities that could be implemented in the community garden. Activities which demonstrated the most potential included: using the garden to reduce food miles; the use of the garden for rest and relaxation; to connect with nature; and buying garden produce at farmer’s markets on campus.

The interviews, with Key Informants, uncovered 7 enablers to establishing and maintaining a community garden, and also barriers, which could be summarised by 4 key themes: Design and Location, Funding, Governance Processes and University Policies.

This research highlighted that there is a great deal of support for the development of a community garden on the Burwood campus.

Feel Blue, Touch Green

This project looked at the effect of conservation work on people experiencing anxiety, depression or social isolation. It found that there were mental and physical health benefits to conservation work, as well as improved general wellbeing.

Find out more about the project

Scoping study of community interventions that promote vegetable consumption

Most Australians consume less than the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vegetables. Community interventions, such as community gardens, kitchen gardens, community supported agriculture programs and farmers’ markets, have the potential to counteract this trend and promote increased vegetable consumption and lead to enhanced health and wellbeing.

The objective of this scoping project was to provide research based information to inform Horticultural Innovation’s Australia and its members’ understanding of community interventions and how these interventions may increase vegetable consumption. Read the full report, including key findings and recommendations.

Find out more about the project

Climate and Health Index

In the Anthropocene, new indicators are required to promote community engagement with, and measurement of, healthy and sustainable well-being for people and planet.  This study explored the need for and constituents of a local level climate and health index.

Find out more about the project

Education and training

HNS promotes interdisciplinary learning on the links between human health and the natural environment. This manifests as consulting on Deakin course content, welcoming research degree students to the centre and running educational workshops with the wider community.

In addition to research, the HNS team teaches in a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in health and sustainability, environmental health and planning for sustainable change.

The eco-social view is based on evidence that shows people's health is intrinsically linked to the health of the environment. It helps us identify all the health and sustainability benefits that may arise from one single action.

Dr Rebecca Patrick

Co-lead of the HNSRG

The team

Members of HNS are recognised both nationally and internationally.

Our members include: