Dr Lisa Gibbs

Senior Research Fellow: Community Partnerships and Health Equality Research

Telephone: +61 3 8344 0920
Facsimile: +61 3 9348 2832
Email: lgibbs@ unimelb.edu.au

Introduction
Qualifications/Affiliations
Publications
Grants
Higher Degree supervision

Introduction

Lisa Gibbs has extensive experience in community research, project management, and program evaluation. She is skilled in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with a particular focus on qualitative methodologies. Her current focus is on child obesity prevention and cultural competent approaches to community intervention research studies. Lisa is part of a team that was recently awarded an NHMRC Capacity Building Grant - Capacity Building in Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Prevention- 2007-2011.

She is currently managing a large and complex research and intervention study - fun ‘n healthy in Moreland!. This study is being conducted in partnership with a community organisation and involves 24 primary schools in an inner-urban area of Melbourne. The target population is characterized by cultural and linguistic diversity, low socio-economic status and low levels of literacy and numeracy, and for one of the schools – a student population with intellectual and learning disabilities. It is a mixed method study incorporating an economic evaluation. The research protocol of the study is guided by a strong commitment to protection of positive body image. Lisa is also an investigator on a research study exploring the transfer of sensitive body composition knowledge to adolescents in a school setting. In addition to this, Lisa is Principal Investigator for the Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project. The aim of the program is to provide children with a pleasurable introduction to food education through growing, harvesting, preparing and cooking fresh, seasonal, healthy and delicious food. Addressing children’s food attitudes and behaviours and self esteem is recognised as a critical element of child obesity prevention. The mixed method evaluation will involve 6 intervention and 6 matched comparison schools.

Lisa is responsible for managing Teeth Tales, a study exploring the social and cultural determinants of child oral health. She is also involved in a wider range of child health research projects working in partnership with other leading agencies and community organisations: child injury prevention targeting CALD communities; health and social considerations in high rise public housing; and understanding child social exclusion. Lisa’s previous research interests include gender and chronic illness.

Lisa belongs to a Qualitative Research Methods Group involving representatives from leading research institutions, promoting an understanding and application of rigour in qualitative research techniques.

Qualifications/Affiliations

Ph.D. (Public Health), Deakin University (2003)

Completed the Social Epidemiology and Social Determinants of Health Short Course conducted by Professor Ichiro Kawachi, School of Public Health, Harvard University, for Deakin University.

Member of the Qualitative Research Association Member of Public Health Association of Australia

Member of International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention

Member of the Australasian Society for the study of Obesity (ASSO) Member of the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity

Member of the International Union of Health Promotion and Education

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

Gibbs L, Gold L, Kulkens M, Riggs E, Gemert CV, Waters E. (in press) Are the benefits of a community-based participatory approach to public health research worth the costs? Just Policy

Waters E., Ashbolt R, Gibbs L, Booth M, Magarey A, Gold L, et al. (in press). Double disadvantage: the influence of ethnicity over socioeconomic position on childhood overweight and obesity: findings from an inner urban population of primary school children. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity.

Gibbs L, O'Connor T, Waters E, Booth M, Walsh O, Green J, Bartlett J, Swinburn B, (in press) Addressing the potential adverse effects of school-based BMI assessments on children’s wellbeing. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity

Gibbs L, Kealy M, Willis K, Green J, Welch N & Daly J (2007) What have sampling and data collection got to do with good qualitative research? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(6):540-4

Green J, Willis K, Hughes E, Small R, Welch N, Gibbs L & Daly J (2007) The contribution of data analysis in the production of high quality evidence from interview-based qualitative research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(6):545-50

Willis K, Daly J, Kealy M, Small R, Koutroulis G, Green J, Gibbs L, Thomas S. 2007, 'The essential role of social theory in qualitative public health research', ANZJPH, 31(5): 438-443

Gibbs L. (2007). Identifying work as a barrier to men's access to arthritis self management programs. International Journal of Men's Health, 6(2), 143-155.

Davis E, Nicolas C, Waters E, Cook K, Gibbs L, Gosch A, et al. (2007). Parent proxy and child self-reported health related quality of life: Using cognitive methods to explain the discordance. Quality of Life Research, 16, 863-871

Gibbs L. (2005). Applications of masculinity theories in a chronic illness context. International Journal of Men's Health 4(3): 287-300.    

Gibbs L and Reidpath D. (2005). What about the Men? Gender differences in utilisation of chronic illness self management services. Australian Journal of Primary Health 11(1). 

       
Gibbs L, Waters E, et al. (2005). Understanding parental motivators and barriers to uptake of child poison safety strategies: a qualitative study. Injury Prevention 11: 373 - 377.

Non-Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

Green J, Daly J, Gibbs L, Holt L. Some do's, don'ts and metaphors for the researcher interested in qualitative research methods. Australasian Epidemiologist. 2007 July;14(2):26-8

Peer Reviewed Book Chapters

Waters E, Gibbs L, Renzaho A, Riggs E, Kulkens M, Priest N. Increasing Cultural Competence in Public Health and Health Promotion. In Encyclopedia of Public Health, Ed. Heggenhougen K. Elsevier Inc., Oxford UK. In press 2007.

Gibbs L, Waters E, Renzaho A, Kulkens M in press. Moving towards increased cultural competency in public health research. In Researching with Communities, ed. A Williamson, R DeSouza. New Zealand: Wairua Consulting (In press)

Gibbs L, & Oliffe J. (2004) Promoting men's health. In R. Moody & A. Hulme (Eds.), Hands on Health Promotion. Melbourne: IP Communications

Peer-Reviewed Scientific Conference Presentations – (ordered chronologically)

Gibbs L, O'Connor T, Waters E, et al. Body Image Considerations in Child Obesity Prevention In: AUSTRALASIAN SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF OBESITY 15th Annual Scientific Meeting; August 07; Sydney, Australia

Gibbs L, Armstrong R, Daly J, et al. Reflecting on the Role of Evidence in Qualitative Public Health Research. In: 38th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference; Sep 2007

Gibbs L, Waters E, Renzaho A, et al. Incorporating cultural competency into a public health framework. In: 38th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference; Alice Springs; Sep 2007.

Gibbs L, Staiger P, Townsend M, Macfarlane S, Beck C & Waters E (2007) An evaluation framework for school-based cooking gardens. The 19th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion and Education.

Gibbs L, Waters E, Leger LS, Swinburn B, Green J, Garrard J, Gold L & Booth M (2007) Underpinning obesity prevention research and intervention design with a theoretical framework. The 19th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion and Education.

Gibbs L, Waters E, Renzaho A & Kulkens M (2007) Incorporating cultural competency into a public health/health promotion framework. The 19th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion and Education.

Waters E, Ashbolt R, Gibbs L, Booth M, Magarey A, Gold L, Gibbons K, Lo SK & Swinburn B (2007) Child prevalence of overweight and obesity in an inner urban, culturally diverse community. The 19th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion and Education.

Waters E, Moore L, Gibbs L & Murphy S (2007) Maintaining research rigour in mixed method evaluations - workshop. The 19th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion and Education.

 Riggs E, Waters E, Kilpatrick N, Gibbs L, Kulkens M, Gemert Cv & Watt R (2007) Socio-cultural determinants of child oral health in new and emerging communities. The 19th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion and Education.

Magarey A, Tarli O C, Gibbs L. The Consumption of Fruit, Vegetables & Noncore Foods by Primary School Children in Melbourne. In: Dietitian Conference; 2007; Hobart (Nutritiion & Dietetics 2007;64 (suppl 1) S30

Daly J, Thomas S, Willis K, Small R, GreenJ , Gibbs L, Welch N, Kealy M, Hughes E, Holt L, Koutroulis G. Ethics committees and the qualitative hierarchy of evidence, Monash University Centre for Ethics in Medicine and Society, 2006 Intensive Research Ethics Course, Hepburn Springs, 3-8 December.

Gibbs L, O’Connor T, Waters E, Swinburn B, Green J, Booth M Treading Lightly With Our Instruments: Body Image Considerations for School-Based Child and Adolescent Obesity Prevention Research. 10th International Congress on Obesity, Sydney 2006

Gibbs L, Baxendale A, Webber L, Waters E Methodological modifications required to conduct obesity prevention research in school settings for children with an intellectual disability. 10th International Congress on Obesity, Sydney 2006

Garrard J, Holland D, Waters E, Gibbs L. Integrating process and impact evaluation findings: a systematic approach to understanding variability in the effectiveness of health promotion interventions in different settings. Community-based Obesity Prevention ICO Satellite Conference, Geelong 2006

Waters E, Gibbs L, Lipscomb J, Walsh O, Ashbolt R, Swinburn B, Booth M, Lo K, Gold L, Gibbons K, Magarey A, Garrard J, Green J, O’Connor T. Child Overweight and Obesity Increasing at 1% Per Year: Population Data from an Inner Urban Metropolitan Cluster RCT. 10th International Congress on Obesity, Sydney 2006

Baxendale A, Gibbs L, Webber L, Waters E. Obesity prevention issues for children with an intellectual disability – A qualitative study. Community-based Obesity Prevention ICO Satellite Conference, Geelong 2006

Waters E, Gibbs L, Mathews C, Nakhuda S, Rachel S. Integrating knowledge translation and a community development model within the health promoting schools framework: a case study of working with schools in a school-community partnership. Community-based Obesity Prevention ICO Satellite Conference, Geelong 2006

Waters E, Gibbs L, Poljski  C, et al. Increasing cultural competency in public health research. In: PHAA 2006; 25-27 September; Sydney; 2006.
Gibbs L, McConell K, Waters E, Raven E. Multilevel partnerships supporting a child obesity prevention study. In: Governments and Communities in Partnership; 25-27 September; Melbourne; 2006.

Small R, Daly J, Willis K, Green J, Gibbs L, Thomas S, Welch N, Kealy M, Holt L, Qualitative Research Into Determinants Of Health; The Role OfSocial Theory. 37th Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference. Sydney 2006

 Gibbs L, Holland D, Waters E. Capturing the issues qualitatively in a mixed method environment. Cochrane Qualitative Research Methods Group Regional Symposium: Qualitative Research in Evidence-Based Healthcare - an exploration of scope and methods, Adelaide, 2006

Gibbs L, Waters E, Lipscomb J, Walsh O, Kulkens M, . 2006. What's happening in the schoolyard? Assessing physical activity opportunities in inner urban, culturally diverse school communities. Presented at 13th Commonwealth International Sport Conference, Melbourne

Gibbs L, Waters E, Moore L, Pradel V. 2005. Child obesity prevention community interventions: employing principles of knowledge transfer and decision making in the context of evidence and need for innovation. Presented at 4th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Amsterdam

Daly J, Small R, Green J, Kealy M, Gibbs L, Welch N. 2005. Assessing qualitative research workshop. Presented at PHAA 37th Annual Conference, Perth

Walsh O, Gibbs L, Waters E. 2005. Encouraging participation in baseline data collection of a childhood obesity intervention study. Poster presented at PHAA 37th Conference, Perth

Poljski C, Gibbs L, Waters E. 2005. Socio-cultural differences in child unintentional poisoning in the Somali, Turkish and Vietnamese communities. Presented at PHAA 37th Conference, Perth

Gibbs L, Ozanne-Smith J, Sherrard J, Waters E, Robinson J, Young S, Hutchinson A (2004) Understanding motivators and barriers to parental uptake of child poisoning prevention strategies. 7th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, Vienna

Gibbs L, Ozanne-Smith J, Sherrard J, Waters E, Robinson J, Young S, Hutchinson A (2004) Understanding motivators and barriers to parental uptake of child poisoning prevention strategies. 18th World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education, Melbourne

Waters E, Love K, Williams J, Gibbs L (2004) School community consultation for a sustainable, school-community child health promotion and obesity prevention intervention. 18th World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education, Melbourne

Gibbs L (2003) What about the men? A study of challenges and enablers for inclusion of men in chronic illness self management programs. National Chronic Condition Self Management Conference, Melbourne.

Gibbs L, Ozanne-Smith J, Sherrard J, Waters E, Robinson J, Young S, Hutchinson A (2003) Understanding motivators and barriers to parental uptake of child poisoning prevention strategies. PHAA 35th Annual Conference, Brisbane.

Gibbs L (2003) Structural changes in health service delivery to reach men early in the pathway of chronic disease. PHAA 35th Annual Conference, Brisbane.

Gibbs L (2001) Men's Access to Chronic Illness Self Management Programs. 4th National Men's and Boy's Health Conference, University of Western Sydney.

Other Scientific and Community Conference Presentations

Waters E, Gibbs L, Mathews C, Nakhuda S, Rachel S. Integrating knowledge translation and a community development model within the health promoting schools framework: a case study of working with schools in a school-community partnership. Settings Approach to Physical Activity Forum, Kinect, Melbourne 2006

Gibbs L (2001) Making health programs accessible to men. Conference workshop: 4th National Men's and Boy's Health Conference, University of Western Sydney.

Gibbs L (1999) Living with Arthritis. Conference presentation: Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Rheumatology Association and the Rheumatology Health Professionals Association, Perth.

Gibbs L (1997) Juggling Sore Joints and Babies. Conference presentation: Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Rheumatology Association and the Rheumatology Health Professionals Association, Brisbane.

Gibbs L (1996) Client Statistics Database. Conference presentation: Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Rheumatology Association and the Rheumatology Health Professionals Association, Melbourne.

Books

Hellard B, Gibbs L (2004) Netball or Nothing. Bolinda Audio Books, Melbourne, Australia.

Hellard B, Gibbs L (First published in 2003. Reprinted in 2003) Netball Diary. HarperCollins, Sydney, Australia.

Hellard B, Gibbs L (First published in 2002. Reprinted in 2002, 2003) Netball Mail. HarperCollins, Sydney, Australia.

Hellard B, Gibbs L (First published 2001. Reprinted in 2001, 2002(twice), 2003) Netball Mission. HarperCollins, Sydney, Australia.

Hellard B, Gibbs L (First published in 2000. Reprinted in 2000 (twice), 2001, 2002, 2003) Netball or Nothing. HarperCollins, Sydney, Australia.

Gibbs L, Hellard B. Under review. The Keeper of the Games

Gibbs L (1998) Juggling Sore Joints and Babies. A Guide for Parents and Grandparents with Arthritis and Related Conditions. Arthritis Victoria, Melbourne.

Other Major Research Reports

Gibbs L, Waters E, Ashbolt R et al Fun ‘n healthy in Moreland! End-Year Report to Department of Sport and Recreation and Department of Human Services 2006/2007. July 2007

Gibbs L, Henderson-Wilson C, Waters E. Community Planning and Capacity Building on the Richmond Public Housing Estate, Preliminary report. Produced by Deakin University for City of Yarra and Richmond Community Health Service June 2007

Gibbs L, Townsend M, Staiger P, Macfarlane S, Plousi H, Beck T. Baseline Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. Final report to VicHealth. Produced by Deakin University on behalf of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program June 2007

Gibbs L, Townsend M, Staiger P, Macfarlane S. Baseline Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. Interim Report to VicHealth. Produced by Deakin University on behalf of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program April 2007

Gibbs L, Waters E, Ashbolt R et al Fun ‘n healthy in Moreland! Mid-Year Report to Department of Sport and Recreation and Department of Human Services 2006/2007. Dec 2006

Gibbs L, Waters E, Ashbolt R et al.Fun ‘n healthy in Moreland! End of Year Report to Department of Sport and Recreation and Department of Human Services 2005/2006. July 2006

Gibbs L, Walsh O, Waters E, Lipscomb J. 2005. fun ‘n healthy in Moreland! Report of 2004/2005 Baseline Data Collection, Health and Social Development, Deakin University and Moreland Community Health Service - individual school reports for 23 primary schools in fun 'n healthy in Moreland! study, Melbourne

Gibbs L, Walsh O, Waters E, Lipscomb J. 2006. fun ‘n healthy in Moreland! Report of 2004/2005 Baseline Data Collection, Deakin University and Moreland Community Health Service for the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Human Services, Melbourne

Baxendale A, Gibbs L, Webber L, Waters E. 2005. Report of 2005 Healthy Living Study, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne

Gibbs L, Waters E, Poljski C, Young S. 2005. Doesn't everyone have poison in the kitchen cupboard? Investigating sociocultural differences in child unintentional poisoning., School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University for Department of Human Services, Victoria, Melbourne

Gibbs L, Ozanne-Smith J, Sherrard J, Waters E, Robinson J, Young S, Hutchinson A. (2004) Child Unintentional Poisoning Interventions. Improving the uptake of safety practices: Final Report. Centre for Community Child Health and Monash University Accident Research Centre

Sherrard J, Cassell E, Gibbs L & Waters E (2004) SafeStart: A Community-Based Child Injury Prevention Program: Final Evaluation Report. Melbourne: Monash University Accident Research Centre and the Centre for Community Child Health for the Department of Human Services, Victoria.

Gibbs L (2003) When the whole bloke thing starts to crumble. Men’s Access to Chronic Illness Self Management Programs. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Deakin University

Gibbs L, Ericson M, Trimboli D, (1999) Water Exercise Program Evaluation. Arthritis Victoria

Gibbs L, Watson K (1992) Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Development: Program Evaluation.WorkCover Authority, NSW

Gibbs L (1992) WorkCover Authority Annual Report. WorkCover Authority, NSW.

Gibbs L (ed) (1991) WorkCover Authority Annual Report. WorkCover Authority, NSW.

Gibbs, L. (1987). Repertory Grid Methodology: Investigating the Superordinate Corollary of Personal Construct Theory. Unpublished Honours Thesis, University of Melbourne.

Grants

Swinburn B, Sanigorski A, Moodie M, Gibbs L, Waters E, Carter R, et al. Sustainable impact, capacity gains and cost-effectiveness of a successful community-wide, child obesity prevention program. $635,800: NHMRC; 2007.

Gibbs L, Gold L, Waters E. Valuing the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project: How do students, teachers, parents and volunteers value a community-based obesity prevention intervention?: Faculty Research Grant. $14,000; 2007.

Gibbs L, Townsend M, Staiger P, Macfarlane S. Department of Education. Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project. $12,000

Gibbs L, Townsend M, Staiger P, Macfarlane S. Helen McPherson Smith Trust. Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project. $35,000

Staiger P, Waters E, Gibbs L, Townsend M, Macfarlane S. Deakin University, Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project, $9,000

Swinburn B, Waters E, McCabe M, Carter R, Bell C, Sanigorski A, Gibbs L, Moodie M, Gold L, Renzaho A, Holt K, Lawrence M. NHMRC. Capacity Building in Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Prevention- 2007-2011,  $1,958,075

Waters E, Gibbs L., Swinburn B, Gold L, Booth M, Gibbons K,  Magarey A, Green J., O'Connor T, Walsh O.,Williams J,  Randomised trial of a sustainable school-community intervention to promote child health and prevent overweight and obesity. $612,000. Department of Human Services, Victoria, November 2006.

Waters E., Riggs E., Van Gemert C., Gibbs L., Kulkens M.,  Kilpatrick N., Gussy M., Cook K., Watt R. Social, cultural and environmental determinants of oral health in families with young children from new and emerging communities. Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund. $150K

Hickey C, Swinburn B & Gibbs L (2006) "It's your body": Transferring sensitive body composition knowledge in schools. $22,464: Deakin University Central Research Grants Scheme.

Gibbs L., Wallace J., Waters E., Kulkens M., Webber L., Ashbolt R., Mathews C. Obesity Prevention in a Special Development School Setting. Helen McPherson Smith Trust. $20,000

Staiger P, Gibbs L, Townsend M, Macfarlane S. Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project. $120,000. VicHealth

Waters E., Riggs E., Van Gemert C., Gibbs L., Kilpatrick N., Kulkens M.,Gussy M., Cook K., Watt R., DHSV  Development and trialling of a culturally appropriate community-based intervention to address the social determinants of oral health in families with young children from new and emerging communities living in a low SES area of metropolitan Melbourne. $50,000. Dental Health Services Victoria 2006.

Waters E, Gibbs L., Swinburn B, Gold L, Booth M, Gibbons K,  Magarey A, Green J., O'Connor T, Walsh O.,Williams J,  Randomised trial of a sustainable school-community intervention to promote child health prevent intervention overweight and obesity. $400,000. Department of Human Services, Victoria, November 2004.

Waters E, Gibbs L., Swinburn B, Gold L, Booth M, Gibbons K. Magarey A, Green J.,  O'Connor T, Walsh O.,Williams J, . Randomised trial of a sustainable school-community intervention to promote child health prevent intervention overweight and obesity. $400,000. Department of Sport and Recreation, Victoria, October 2004.

Gibbs L, Waters E, Young, S, Doesn’t everyone have poison in the kitchen cupboard? Investigating socio-cultural differences in child unintentional. $74,000. Department of Human Services, Victoria, June 2004.

Waters E, Gibbs L., Swinburn B, Gold L, Booth M, Gibbons K. Magarey A, Green J.,  O'Connor T, Walsh O.,Williams J, . Randomised trial of a sustainable school-community intervention to promote child health prevent intervention overweight and obesity. $30,000. Department of Education and Training, Victoria, May 2004

Higher Degree Supervision

Gordon R. (results pending). Has there been a shift or a change in the focus of print media articles since 2000 concerning the issue of childhood obesity? Minor Masters thesis. Deakin University, Melbourne

Akbar, N. (2007) Cultural considerations in a review of school food environments and family food behaviours: Major Masters thesis.

Beck, T. C. (2007). Evaluation of cooking garden programs: Major Masters thesis.

Lui H-C. (2006). Literature Review: Socio-cultural and Family Influences on Children's Eating Behavior and Physical Activity. Minor Masters thesis. Deakin University, Melbourne

O'Connell T. (2006). The Intake of Fruit, Vegetables & Noncore Foods by Children as Snacks: A Quantitative Analysis of Intake & Correlation. Honours thesis. Deakin University, Melbourne

Baxendale A. (2005). Issues of Weight Management Research in Special Development School Settings. Honours thesis. Deakin University, Melbourne