NEWS
05.08.2024 Professor Xiaoqi Feng and Professor Thomas Astell-Burt celebrate their award winning paper!
Thomas was very pleased to receive the 2024 High Impact Award on behalf of the author team at the #CSANZ2024 - Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand AGM 🎉
The paper https://lnkd.in/gBYCpCmQ, published in a special issue of the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation, defined levels of need and interest in #NaturePrescriptions for #Cardiovascular and #MentalHealth in #Australia, and proposed avenues for future research involving randomised trials.
05.08.2024. Professor Astell-Burt was pleased to present “#Nature Prescriptions for #Heart #Health” recently at #CSANZ2024 - Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand in Perth.
12.07.2024 NEW PAPER! #Flourishing #Cities need #Healthy #Oceans. Professor Astell-Burt and international experts contributes to new paper. For more on this and what we can do to keep our oceans healthy, read on: https://lnkd.in/giyXaGB9
05.07.2024 Professor Thomas Astell-Burt presents about his research programs on #NatureBasedSolutions for #health and #loneliness with health professionals in Sydney’s west at the Nepean Clinical School at the University of Sydney.
01.07.2024 Professor Thomas Astell-Burt is featured in the Glebe Sciety Bulletin July 2024 edition. The article reflects on Thomas’ earlier presentation for The Glebe Society 8th Annual Biodiversity Lecture. Thomas spoke on 'Regenerative Cities and Flourishing Communities: why more trees might mean less loneliness and better health' at Benledi.
26.06.2024 Professor Astell-Burt presented at ASPIRE Conference #EACH24 in Sydney. Thomas featured in a panel discussion on #SocialPrescribing and making our communities healthier, more sustainable and liveable.
24.06.2024 Two PowerLab PhD students have graduated!
Congratulations to Dr Shumirai Mushangwe for her Thesis on Understanding the Relationships between Urban Greenspace, Ethnicity and Mental Health. Congratulations also to Dr Eme John for his Thesis on Green space and healthy aging.
21.06.2024 Publication for Professor Thomas Astell-Burt.
Pre-COVID life expectancy, mortality, and burden of
diseases for adults 70 years and older in Australia: a systematic analysis for
the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study. The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific. 1;47. Published 1 June 2024
19.06.2024 Publication for Professor Feng.
Aminpour F, Feng X, Mularczyk L, Pettit C. Sharing public open spaces with local schools: A stakeholder-based analysis of governance issues. July 2024. Cities. 150, 105007.
14.06.2024 Professor Astell-Burt comments “A pleasure to contribute to this consequential area of research 🙏
Evidence indicates that #Gardening is beneficial for our #health. Yet we (re)design #cities increasingly absent of opportunities to garden.
Our thoughts on changing the status quo in Croakey Health Media, led by Dr Jonathan Kingsley”
05.06.2024 On #WorldEnvironmentDay Professor Xiaoqi Feng hosted Professor Graham Cousens and students from Drew University at UNSW School of #PopulationHealth to discuss #BuiltEnvironment, #nature and #health
05.06.2024 Professor Astell-Burt celebrates UN World Environment Day and the recent #PANDATrial Co-Design workshop.
31.05.2024 Professor Xiaoqi Feng meets the Addi Moves Program team led by Simon Rosenbaum at the Addison Road Community Centre, #Marrickville and presented her research on #nature and #health.
29.05.2024 Professor Xiaoqi Feng tells how it was great to be part of the UNSW's Future #Climate & Clean Energy expo 😀
Professor Feng enjoyed over 2 hours discussing her research programs and research group (Rapid #Urbanisation and #PopulationHealth) with industry, educators and researchers.
29.05.2024 Professor Astell-Burt was honored to be selected to give the 8th Annual #Biodiversity Lecture for The Glebe Society.
18.05.2024 The Lancet publication for Professor Feng and Professor Astell-Burt.
Vollset SE, Ababneh HS, ... Astell-Burt T, Feng X, et al. Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet. May 2024 18;403 (10440), 2204-56.
18.05.2024 The Lancet publication for Professor Feng and Professor Astell-Burt.
Brauer M, Roth GA, ... Astell-Burt T, Feng X, et al. Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet. May 2024.18;403(10440), 2162-203.
17.05.2024 Professor Astell-Burt presents in Webinar “Environmental Determinants of Health: From Earth to Health”
The webinar explored the direct and indirect health effects of climate change and the major role clinician-researchers play in shaping health outcomes that are influenced by environmental shifts.
14.05.2024 Professor Xiaoqi Feng had the pleasure to host Nivine Abbas for the ISEE - International Society for Environmental Epidemiology's workshop on Introduction to Environmental Epidemiology as the Co-Chair of the Capacity Building and Education (CAPE) committee.
14.05.2024 Publication for PowerLab Co-Directors and staff.
Astell-Burt, T., Navakatikyan, M., White, M. P., & Feng, X. (2024). Exploring autonomous and controlled motivations for nature contact to maximise health benefits. People and Nature, 6, 1155–1170.
02.05.2024 Professor Xiaoqi Feng thanks Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and Simon Rosenbaum for inviting her to talk at the 2024 Research to Practice Conference - International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney)
Xiao shared findings from her research program and discussed new potential projects in her nature prescriptions research program.
image credit LinkedIn
20.03.2024 Publication for Professor Feng and Professor Astell-Burt.
03.2024 Publication for PowerLab Co-Directors, staff and colleague.
Show me the money! Associations between tree canopy and hospital costs in cities for cardiovascular disease events in a longitudinal cohort study of 110,134 participants. By Xiaoqi Feng, Michael Navakatikyan, Simon Eckermann, Thomas Astell-Burt. Environment International, Volume 185, 108558.
06.05.2024 PANDA Trial Co-Design Workshop participants
06.05.2024 PANDA Trial Co-Design Workshop was held at University of Sydney with PANDA Investigators, Consumer representatives and guests.
03.2024 Professor Xiaoqi Feng was Chair in the Capacity Building and Education Committee's (https://lnkd.in/eJJ_3WMS) online course: Introduction to Environmental Epidemiology.
The course featured Associate Professor Kosuke Inoue from the Department of Social Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and School of Public Health at Kyoto University.
image credit LinkedIn
03.2024 Professor Xiaoqi Feng is delighted to be invited to The National Press Club for the 'ACCELERATING SOCIAL PRESCRIBING IN AUSTRALIA' roundtable event. Professor Feng was Chair of the Expert Panel for Lonelygenic Environments in ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education.
image credit LinkedIn
06.02.2024 Professor Astell-Burt took part in "Nature is Good Medicine: An Australian Perspective"
10.01.2024 Professor Thomas Astell-Burt takes up new position as Professor of Cities and Planetary Health , The University of Sydney, School of Architecture, Design and Planning.
image credit USYD
2024
24.11.2023 Professor Astell-Burt is interviewed on “The Lancet Voice”. Thomas joins @TheLancet podcast to discuss his international research linking contact with #nature #greenspace #trees and our #health and #wellbeing, including reducing risks of #loneliness and the need for #natureprescriptions.
Listen to the full interview on our Videos and Audio page
17.11.2023 Professor Astell-Burt has ranked #1 in the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2023
Each researcher selected has authored multiple Highly Cited Papers™ which rank in the top 1% by citations for their field(s) and publication year in the Web of Science™ over the past decade.
03.11.2023 UNSW Medicine and Health are pleased to share that Professor Xiaoqi Feng @UrbanFeng is the new chair of the @UNSW Medicine & Health Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee (MHEDIC).
Professor Xiaoqi Feng is interviewed by Rose Kerr on ABC Radio National. Broadcast Sun 3 Sep 2023 at 7:00am.
View on our Videos and Audio page soon or on the ABC Website
21.08.2023 On August 16th Professor Xiaoqi Feng briefed NSW Premier Chris Minns @ChrisMinnsMP, Rose Jackson @RoseBJackson (NSW Labor MP and Minister for Housing & Homelessness, Water, Mental Health, Youth, North Coast) and Paul Scully @paulscullymp (Labor MP for Wollongong, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces) on #LonelygenicEnvironments +benefits of #NaturePrescriptions & #UrbanGreening.
17.08.2023 Publication for Professor Feng and Professor Astell-Burt. “Pandemic gardening: A narrative review, vignettes and implications for future research.” Published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.
06.08.2023 Professor Astell-Burt’s research features in Sydney Morning Herald article “Generation Lonely: Two in five young adults are flying solo”.
06.08.2023 Professor Astell-Burt speaks on MPAVILLION MTalks. “MTalks—Putting down roots: How green spaces can counter loneliness” can be listened to here.
01.08.2023 Publication for PowerLab Directors and GBD 2019 Australia Collaborators. The article “The burden and trend of diseases and their risk factors in Australia, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019” features in the high impact journal The Lancet Public Health.
31.07.2023 New publication for PowerLab Directors and PhD Candidate Eme John. The publication titled “Development of a composite healthy ageing score: evidence from middle-to-older aged Australians” can be read in Health Promotion International
27.07.2023 City of Sydney News feature research from Professor Thomas Astell-Burt. The article discusses the many benefits of urban forests, planting street trees in the city of Sydney and how Thomas’ research has found “One in 3 adults spends less than 2 hours a week in nature, missing out on many health benefits. But 82% would accept a nature prescription from a health professional, so protecting and restoring tree canopy in our streets and parks is crucial to give everyone the opportunity to reconnect with nature.”
25.07.2023 New publication for Professor Astell-Burt. The article ““I can get to a happy place by visiting nature”: The benefits of implementing nature walking groups within mental health services” can be read in the October edition of Environmental Advances.
*Image credit smh.com.au
16.07.2023 Professor Xiaoqi Feng and Professor Thomas Astell-Burt feature in Channel 7's '7WEEKENDER'. The feature titled "Fun ways to get your steps up!" aired on Sunday 16 July, 2023.
19.07.2023 Professor Thomas Astell-Burt gives presentation at Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education (ASPIRE) 2023 EACH Conference on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Thomas’ message: optimise #health benefits of #nature and #socialprescriptions with high quality #greenspace
*Image credit ASPIRE
18.07.2023 UNSW Medicine and Health Tweet highlights Professor Feng and Professor Astell-Burt’s feature on 7WEEKENDER tv segment.
14.07.2023 Professor Feng presents at @UnswWater @LSHTM & Resilience Centre Kenya & @NorthwesternU webinar.
Professor Feng presented her research on #naturebasedsolutions for #HealthEquity at the roundtable discussion on #waterinsecurity #climatechange & #mentalhealth.
Thomas provided an overview of his latest research on the links between green spaces and human health. This was followed by a panel discussion between Thomas and two of his international research collaborators A/Prof Deepti Adlakha and Dr Ana Isabel Ribeiro plus Greg Vann.
01.07.2023 New publication for PowerLab Co-Directors and team members in the impactful journal ‘The Lancet’.
30.06.2023 Professor Astell-Burt has been invited to present a keynote at the upcoming 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests Pre-Forum Webinar on Health and Green Spaces, where he will provide an overview of his latest research on the links between green spaces and human health. A panel discussion will follow the keynote.
22.06.2023 New publication for Professor Feng and Astell-Burt in the prestigous Journal The Lancet. Publication titled "Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021"
15.06.2023 Professor Astell-Burt is delighted to be an invited member of the International Expert Advisory Board for €6.3M @HorizonEU and @UKRI_News RESONATE project with 14 partners across Europe, led by Prof Mat White @univienna to define the effectiveness of nature-based therapy.
14.06.2023 New publication for Professor Feng and Astell-Burt in Sustainability. Publication titled "Towards Key Principles for the Design and Implementation of Nature Prescription Programs."
09.06.2023 Professor Astell-Burt gives a talk for the @NSWDPE Community of Practice.
Professor Astell-Burt’s message: #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime
01.06.2023 Professor Feng presents at @ccrc_unsw @ClimateExtremes Climate Change Research Centre Seminar Series.
31.05.2023 Professor Feng is profiled by Visible Women.
Profile: Meet @UrbanFeng expert in the intersection of green space & health. Here, she shares her journey as a 1st-generation Chinese immigrant to Australia, the challenges faced & her efforts to support women & culturally diverse in higher education.
30.05.2023 Professor Feng takes part in the program launch event for the 2023 @FranklinWomen #inclusive #leadership #mentoring program
26.05.2023 Professor Astell-Burt announces PhD opportunity at UOW.
#Loneliness is common but it need not be. Let's find effective, durable, and equitable solutions together Join me as a #PhD student on full 3-year scholarship @UOW @UOWASSH #Australia with http://PowerLab.site
Express interest by 11/06/23 https://powerlab.site/about-us/careers-and-studies/phd-opportunities
23.05.2023 Professor Feng is featured by Visible Women. Professor Feng comments “"I’d also like to see more culturally diverse female executive members of university leadership teams. [W]e need to provide support & mentorship to high-performing researchers & help them rise to the top, especially culturally diverse women”
18.05.2023 Professor Feng is invited speaker at #UNGRSW 7th UN Global Road Safety Week. The online panel discussed modal shift to safe and sustainable transport in Australia - and more – https://youtu.be/8c7Yy4cLqFU
15.05.2023 New publication for PowerLab members Michael & Professors Feng & Astell-Burt. Congratulations team!
11.05.2023 PhD Opportunities are available with PowerLab.
Register your interest in studying a PhD with PowerLab and we will contact you with more information about what Phd's are available.
27.04.2023 Professor Feng is Looking forward to the discussions in an upcoming webinar #nature #builtenvironment #health.
Have you ever wondered how your home, office or city could affect your health? In this free webinar on Wednesday 17 May, learn about the impact of the natural and built environment on our health, development, and wellbeing.
26.04.2023 Publication for PowerLab PhD candidate Eme John “Green space type and healthy ageing in place: An Australian longitudinal study” in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.
19.04.2023 ABC Radio National interview “Spending more time in nature, on doctor's orders” with Professor Xiaoqi Feng on ‘Life Matters’ program. The presenter is Hilary Harper.
The interview is also available on our Videos & Audio page.
10.04.2023 The Sydney Morning Herald features Professor Xiaoqi Feng in article “Is it time for your doctor to give you a ‘nature prescription’?” By Sarah Berry
17.04.2023 Professors Astell-Burt is happy to be ranked #1 of 10,427 globally for research output on Recreational Parks, #greenspace, #parks and #publichealth spanning 2013-2023 by @expertscapenews. Professor Feng also features highly on the list. Congratulations to both!
10.04.2023 Professor Feng appears on Channel 10’s The Project discussing Nature Prescriptions and the PANDA Trial.
The clip is available to watch on our Videos & Audio page
10.04.2023 ABC Radio Drive with Mary Gearin and Professor Feng - Discussing Nature Prescriptions and the PANDA Trial
The interview is available to listen to on our Videos & Audio page
06.04.2023 Greenpeace International @Greenpeace Tweet about Prof Astell-Burt & Prof Feng’s Nature Prescription research.
New article for Powerlab Co-Directors Feng and Astell-Burt in prestigous journal The Lancet Planetary Health 2023 Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pages e313-e328. "Effect of nature prescriptions on cardiometabolic and mental health, and physical activity: a systematic review"
05.04.2023 95bFM Radio interview with Prof Feng, discussing Nature Prescriptions and the PANDA Trial
The interview will also available to listen to via our Videos & Audio page
The interview is available to listen to on our Videos & Audio page
04.04.2023 Prof Feng & Prof Astell-Burt’s PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions are discussed in the RACGP publication “RACGP - Nature prescribing in general practice”. Volume 52, Issue 4, April 2023
04.04.2023 The Guardian article “Prescribed time in nature linked to improvements in anxiety, depression and blood pressure” featuring the PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions by Prof Feng & Prof Astell-Burt.
04.04.2023 The Canberra Times article features Prof Feng & Prof Astell-Burt’s PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions “'Nature prescriptions' improve patient health: study”
04.04.2023 The Illawarra Mercury article features Prof Feng & Prof Astell-Burt’s PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions “'Nature prescriptions' improve patient health: study”
04.04.2023 The Illawarra Mercury article features Prof Feng & Prof Astell-Burt’s PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions “Prescription to spend time in nature may improve diabetes, heart disease: UOW study”
04.04.2023 1news TVNZ features the article “Take a walk not a pill - nature prescriptions on the rise” featuring Prof Feng and Prof Astell-Burt’s PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions
04.04.2023 1news TVNZ features the video presentation “Take a walk not a pill - nature prescriptions on the rise” featuring Prof Feng and Prof Astell-Burt’s PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions.
04.04.2023 International Business Times article features Prof Feng & Prof Astell-Burt’s PANDA Trial and Nature Prescriptions “Nature Prescription Benefits Both Mental And Physical Health, Study Finds”
31.03.2023 Professor Astell-Burt is really happy to have mentored @bekkmiddle on a new paper and very excited about future collaborations on #nursing #health and #naturebasedsolutions #ThisIsUOW
30.03.2023 New publication for Professor Thomas Astell-Burt “Nurses and nature; Does green space make a difference?” in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
30.03.2023 New Report featuring Professors Feng, Professor Astell-Burt and international colleagues. Forests and Trees for Human Health: Pathways, Impacts, Challenges and Response Options. A Global Assessment Report.
Professor Feng and Professor Astell-Burt’s contributions can be found in Chapters 2 & 3.
27.03.2023 New publication for PowerLab Co-Directors: Gene-environment interaction in the association of residential greenness and 25(OH) vitamin D. Environmental Pollution, 121519.
25.03.2023 Professors Feng and Astell-Burt were interviewed by The Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘The Age’. The interview titled ‘A nature prescription could be just what the doctor ordered’ covers the announcement of, and plans for, the PANDA Trial.
16.03.2023 Policymaker and Practitioner Perceptions of Parks for Health and Wellbeing: Scoping a Holistic Approach. Sustainability. 2023; 15(6):5251.
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting and Sustaining Urban Health: Challenges and Responses)
16.03.2023 Introducing the PANDA Trial! #PANDAtrial
Professor Astell-Burt and Professor Feng announce the PANDA Trial which has been awarded $1.5M funding from the NHMRC MRFF grant scheme.
The trial will study the effect of Physical Activity in #Nature for cardiometabolic Diseases in people Aged 45y+
The media release can be found here and project details on the PANDA Trial page on our website.
16.03.2023 New publication for PowerLab PhD Candidate and Directors. “Evaluating the effectiveness of implementing a more severe law on prevention of road traffic injury mortality in mainland China: an interrupted time series study based on national mortality surveillance.” Injury Prevention.
10.03.2023 New publication for PowerLab Co-Directors. “Nature experience from yards provide an important space for mental health during Covid-19.: npj Urban Sustain 3, 14 (10 March 2023).
08.03.2023 Watch the VIDEO of Professor Feng’s interview on the APAC Network. In the interview “How cities affect our health” Professor Feng discusses how her research proves that not only is exposure to nature good for us, not having enough green space in urban environments is actually detrimental to our health.
08.03.2023 Professor Feng is profiled by UNSW Medicine & Health @UNSWMedicine for 2023 International Womens Day.
06.03.2023 Professor Astell-Burt announces new PhD study opportunity!
INTERESTED IN STUDYING IN THE UK? Come do a PhD with Professor Astell-Burt @UOW, and
@UniOfSurrey with @MelissaMarselle.
Study topic "Biodiverse nature prescriptions and mental health"
02.03.2023 New publication for Professor Feng. “Cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of Australians who use alcohol home delivery services.” Drug Alcohol Rev. 2023.
02.03.2023 New publication for Professor Astell-Burt and PowerLab PhD candidate Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz. “Diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic: are people getting access to the right level of care?.” BMC Health Serv Res 23, 167.
01.03.2023 ‘Nature Positive Sydney - Valuing Sydney’s Living Infrastructure’. Professor Astell-Burt and Professor Feng’s research features in this new report (see pages 16-17)
28.02.2023 Professor Feng reflects on seeing her research with Professor Astell-Burt and how it is influencing policy in @Committee4Syd's Nature Positive report.
As the report says: "#Nature is a key part of our connected #city systems".
28.02.2023 Professor Feng is looking forward to celebrating Parks Week on 4-6 March, in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and SA, organised by @heartfoundation.
The benefits of greener communities on heart health can be read about in her paper “Leafier Communities, Healthier Hearts: An Australian Cohort Study of 104,725 Adults Tracking Cardiovascular Events and Mortality Across 10 Years of Linked Health Data”
28.02.2023 PowerLab Phd candidate Eme John has taken on the new role of Data Analyst – Epidemiology and Analysis in the Epidemiology and Data Systems Branch of Health Protection, NSW Health.
Eme is glad that using the training he receives at PowerLab can contribute to the achievement of the goals of NSW Health.
Eme will continue his Phd Studies while in this exciting new role. Congratulations Eme!
19.02.2023 Professor Astell-Burt comments how he is delighted that “@cityofsydney used research by Professor Feng @UrbanFeng and himself to develop the groundbreaking urban forest strategy. #trees are so consequential for public health, now and for generations to come @UOW @UNSW”
17.02.2023 New publication for Professor Astell-Burt and Professor Feng. “Visiting Urban Green Space and Orientation to Nature Is Associated with Better Wellbeing during COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(4):3559.”
This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Environment and Public Health
12.02.2023 Professor Astell-Burt comments on new publication which is featured in an article by The Guardian - "82% of Australians are interested in #nature #prescriptions - our NEW @HeartLungCirc research in today's @guardian”
03.02.2023 Professor Astell-Burt shares how it was fantastic to be invited to speak about #loneliness at the same international
@EndLonelinessUK conference as amazing changemakers like @Surgeon_General and @kimleadbeater
02.02.2023 Professor Astell-Burt to speak at the upcoming Campaign to End Loneliness International Conference - @EndLonelinessUK plenary panel
25.01.2023 Professor Astell-Burt is pleased to have been invited to contribute to this international report on #trees and #health led by @AnUrbanForester and with stellar researchers around the world
20.01.2023 Professor Feng speaks with James Valentine on ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast with James Valentine. Listen to the interview on our Videos & Audio page
18.01.2023 'Healthier hearts' for city dwellers who live closer to #trees. Professor Astell-Burt thanks @SBSNews for covering the paper on trees and heart health, co-authored with Professor Feng.
10.01.2023 Professor Feng and Professor Astell-Burt’s research is featured in this UNSW Newsroom article “Leafier communities, healthier hearts: study”
12.01.2023 Professor Feng talks about her research and latest publications in an interview with Eastside Radio 89.7FM.
Listen to the interview on our Videos & Audio page
02.01.2023 Thomas comments on new publication with Xiaoqi and international colleagues. The study shows >80% Australian adults interested in #nature prescriptions for #health
29.12.2022 New publication for Prof’s Feng & Astell-Burt: Leafier Communities, Healthier Hearts: An Australian Cohort Study of 104,725 Adults Tracking Cardiovascular Events and Mortality Across 10 Years of Linked Health Data
23.12.2022 PowerLab Co-Directors research features in The Canberra Times commentary by Jenna Price “More people are feeling lonely and it might be because of the cities we build”
21.12.2022 New publication for Prof’s Feng & Astell-Burt: What types of green space disrupt a lonelygenic environment? A cohort study
16.12.2022 Prof Feng receives Heroes Award for her part in the UNSW Medicine Faculty Elevate Team.
This award recognises individuals and teams who have supported students or colleagues during the year in unexpected or exceptional ways through their generosity and kindness.
12.12.2022 Prof Feng & Prof Astell Burt’s research making an IMPACT: Everyone to have at least 27% tree canopy in Sydney by 2050. This target is based on her research with @profastellburt. 30% trees supports mental & physical health!
05.12.2022 Xiao is promoted to Professor of Urban Health and Environment, UNSW School of Population Health.
Congratulations Xiao on achieving this milestone in your career!
09.12.2022 PowerLab co-directors Prof Xiaoqi Feng and Prof Thomas Astell-Burt publish a commentary in the prestigious “The Lancet Planetary Health”.
Prof Astell-Burt and Prof Feng call for research to establish a foundation of evidence that measures lonelygenic environments, which could vary from place to place, and to integrate that evidence into optimising loneliness reduction strategies that work for everyone.
27.11.2022 Thomas’ greenspace and loneliness conceptual model is making a mark through @EndLonelinessUK's report on Built Environment
24.11.2022 Shumi Mushangwe, PowerLab PhD candidate, presents at the HAS Inaugural Annual HDR Student Conference. Shumi presented her published paper titled "Ethnic inequalities in green space availability: Evidence from Australia."
24.11.2022 Eme John, PowerLab PhD candidate, presents at the HAS Inaugural Annual HDR Student Conference. Eme presented his recently published paper titled “Green space and inequities in healthy ageing: are grasses greener on the socioeconomically advantages side?”
16.11.2022 Time to celebrate! One million trees planted as part of the Greening our City Premier's Priority featuring PowerLab research.
We recognise that PowerLab.site findings on #greenspace and #health will have long-lasting Research Impact.
07.10.2022 New publication for A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng, Prof Thomas Astell-Burt and PowerLab colleagues.
09.11.2022 PowerLab Co-Director Professor Thomas Astell-Burt has been named as the best in Australia from 14 fields of research in The Australian newspaper’s annual list highlighting Australian research excellence.
Thomas was recognised in the Australian Research 2023 Magazine as the top researcher in two fields, environmental and occupational medicine, and toxicology.
Congratulations Thomas!
07.11.2022 Professor Astell-Burt reflects that across 2022 it’s been an honour for him to collaborate on a #loneliness report with so many influential Australians in The Groundswell Foundation Reference Group & @kpmgaustralia, consummately led by @mblake_iHelm.
07.11.2022 To mark mental health awareness month, Prof Thomas Astell-Burt in conjunction with the University of Wollongong (UOW) hosted a symposium on a pressing issue affecting more than one in four Australians – loneliness.
Reducing Loneliness Together brought together academics, representatives of patients, carers and their families, and experts across the health, urban planning and greening sectors, all committed to working towards identifying potentially effective and equitable solutions to loneliness.
07.10.2022 Reducing Loneliness Together. Effective Scalable Solutions For Everyone. Workshop open to UOW Staff & PhD Students.
Reducing Loneliness Together will feature a range of speakers with diverse backgrounds, experiences and expertise who, through a process of sharing discoveries and discussing ideas, will work towards identifying potentially effective and equitable solutions to loneliness.
Speakers so far include Professor Patricia M. Davidson Vice-Chancellor UOW, Professor David Currow Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Health and Sustainable Futures) UOW, Professor Thomas Astell-Burt Professor, UOW and Founding Co-Director of PowerLab, Dr Summer Finlay, Senior Lecturer UOW, Martin Blake Chair, Groundswell Foundation, Nieves Murray CEO, Suicide Prevention Australia, Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon Executive Director, Cities Revitalisation and Place, Transport for NSW, Phil Pettitt Community Greening Manager, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Catherine Lourey Commissioner, NSW Mental Health Commission & Dr Anthony Brown Executive Director Health Consumers NSW.
03.11.2022 Dr Faysal Kabir Shuvo celebrated his PhD graduation with family and friends at UOW Campus. Congratulations to Faysal on this special occasion!
16.09.2022 ARC Grant success for PowerLab Co-Director Professor Thomas Astell-Burt! Thomas’ Future Fellowship project, “Generating evidence for nature-based strategies to reduce loneliness”, aims to develop effective and scalable community-focussed solutions to the loneliness epidemic. Thomas has received funding of $1,046,924 over four years.
07.09.2022 New publication for PowerLab PhD graduate Dr Selin Akaraci and PowerLab Co-Directors A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng & Prof Astell-Burt T: Associations between green space, air pollution and birthweight in Sydney Metropolitan Area, Australia. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 76, 127726.
23.08.2022 A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng is interviewed on ABC Perth Radio. The interview will be available shortly on the Videos & Audio page
18.08.2022 A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng is interviewed on Radio Adelaide. The interview will be available shortly on the Videos & Audio page
17.08.2022 New publication in The Conversation for PowerLab Co-Directors. Co-Authored by A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng & Prof Thomas Astell-Burt, discussing how quality green spaces offer a solution to loneliness.
02.08.2022 New PowerLab publication: Astell-Burt T, Hartig T, Putra IG, Walsan R, Dendup T, Feng X. Green space and loneliness: a systematic review with theoretical and methodological guidance for future research. Science of The Total Environment.
PowerLab 5 Year & 2021 Annual Report now available on our NEWSLETTERS page!
27.07.2022 PowerLab Co-Director A/P Xiaoqi Feng invitated to be a speaker in October at Bloomberg CityLab 2022 global cities summit.
18.07.2022 A/P Xiaoqi Feng features in an interview with Inner West Connections about “Callan Park - the green asylum”.
Listen to or read the article. Xiao features from 00:23:50min.
16.07.2022 Publication in The Lancet by PowerLab Co _directors Feng and Astell-Burt: “Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020.”
18.07.2022 PhD candidate new publication for Eme John "Green space and inequities in healthy ageing: are grasses greener on the socioeconomically advantaged side?" will be published in the journal Ecopsychology.
12.07.2022 New publication for PowerLab Co-Directors “Perceived Qualities, Visitation and Felt Benefits of Preferred Nature Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia: A Nationally-Representative Cross-Sectional Study of 2940 Adults”
07.07.2022 New publication for PowerLab Co-Directors: “Nature prescriptions for community and planetary health: unrealised potential to improve compliance and outcomes in physiotherapy”
01.07.2022 Dr I Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra – PowerLab Graduate – is awarded Best Oral Presentation and Young Investigator Award at the recent ISEE-AWPC & ISES-AC Joint Conference 2022 Awards. Congratulations Edi!
01.07.2022 Thomas presents at Connect & Share #102 hosted by Outdoors NSW & ACT.
30.06.2022 New publication for Prof Astell-Burt and colleagues “Mental health clinicians’ perceptions of nature-based interventions within community mental health services: evidence from Australia”
28.06.2022 A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng presents at George Talks. Xiao’s key message was contact with #nature is so important for our #MentalHealth and #Wellbeing, so let's find ways to make that an option for all💚🌳😃🌴
23.06.2022 New publication for PowerLab Co-Directors “Nature prescriptions for community and planetary health: unrealised potential to improve compliance and outcomes in physiotherapy”
21.06.2022 ISEE AWPC 2022 Conference presentations from PowerLab members:
21.06.2022 “Changing environment and health” recording featuring A/Prof Feng, now available to watch on our VIDEO page
21.06.2022 “Have we reached peak-greenness? Green space and health research in the “big data” era” recording featuring Prof Astell-Burt now available to watch on our VIDEO page
08.06.22 PowerLab Co-Directors invited by @SydneyLHD to give a webinar on Geomapping in #publichealth.
Slides available in our Resources
30.05.2022 A/Prof Feng hosts ISEE AWPC webinar with Prof Haidong Kan of FuDan University. Prof Kan spoke about his career and new research on airpollution & health. Watch on ISEE Global Education Channel
30.05.2022 PowerLab graduate Dr Edi Putra shares his latest publication with Prof Astell-Burt and A/Prof Feng, who featured in @IntJObesity! Enabling health-promoting environments might be a key to combat an unhealthy weight increase in childhood 🌳
12.05.2022 Landscape Australia publish article written by Co-Directors Feng and Astell-Burt.
5.05.2022 A/Professor Xiaoqi Feng spoke on ABC Radio Canberra with Georgia Stynes, on how nature promotes our health.
The interview will be available on our Videos & Audio page shortly.
05.05.2022 Invited talk for Prof Thomas Astell-Burt at the XV World Forestry Congress 2022. Professor Astell-Burt gave an engaging invited talk at the XV World Forestry Congress 2022. Thomas spoke for ~6 minutes on loneliness, more green time, tree canopy and the associated health benefits of increasing visitations to green space. The presentation can be viewed here: https://t.co/45mV1sS68p
18.04.2022 Findings from Prof Astell-Burt and A/Prof Feng impacts the @UNBiodiversity 3:30:300 rule developed by Prof Cecil Konijnendijk, by showing 30% tree canopy helps to keep people healthy.
06.04.2022 Congratulations to Dr Edi Putra of PowerLab, whose PhD on understanding the association between neighbourhood green space quality and prosocial behaviour across childhood and adolescence was officially completed last week. Edi is now a postdoc at the University of Liverpool in the UK.
05.04.2022 PowerLab Co-Director A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng Honoured to co-chair #EMCR sessions with
01.04.2022 PowerLab Co-Director Prof Thomas Astell-Burt comments how it was a pleasure to be listening, learning and sharing ideas and actions on social and environmental determinants of health equity with @UOW_VC and other @UOW colleagues and alumni @CUGHnews conference.
01.04.2022 Prof Thomas Astell-Burt presents in webinar for CUGH – Consortium of Universities of Global Health – CUGH supports academic institutions and partners to improve the wellbeing of people and the planet through education, research, service, and advocacy.
30.03.2022 Keynote presentation for Prof Astell-Burt at franc.sydney 2022 titled "Prescribe nature for community and planetary health". franc.sydney 2022 is powered by Stormwater NSW. Franc.sydney aims to facilitate sustainable development that is future focused, resilient, and adaptive through a networked community.
Conference details can be found at http://franc.sydney
18.03.2022 In acknowledgement of #worldsleepday2022 ‘More trees🌳better sleep s💤 healthier planet🌏’ @ConversationEDU: article Prof written by Prof Astell-Burt & A/Prof Feng for #WorldSleepDay
14.02.2022 New publication for Prof Astell-Burt, A/Prof Feng & colleagues: Types and Aspects of Front-of-Package Labeling Preferred by Parents: Insights for Policy Making in China. Nutrients
01.02.2022 New Publication for PowerLab Co-Directors: More green, less lonely? A longitudinal cohort study, International Journal of Epidemiology
17.01.2022 New Publication for PowerLab PhD candidate Edi & Co-Directors: Is prosocial behaviour a missing link between green space quality and child health-related outcomes?. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
09.02.2022 A/Prof Feng reflects on how PowerLab & others research shows that being in #nature is good for health. During COVID, we found people spend more time in greenspace. Doctors in Canada can now prescribe national park passes. Australia has beautiful nature too, why don’t we have a nature prescribing system?
05.01.2022 New publication for PowerLab Co-Director A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng. “Association between community average body mass index and perception of overweight”
04.01.2022 Professor Thomas Astell-Burt and A/Professor Xiaoqi Feng are delighted to be invited to be key speakers at @ISEE_global @iseeawpc joint conference this year to discuss research on #BigData #environment and #PublicHealth, especially #greenspace & #EnvironmentalJustice and #health projects
Conference details can be found at https://www.isee-awpc2022.sg/
07.01.2022 “Residential green space and age at menarche in German and Australian adolescent girls: A longitudinal study” A new publication for PowerLab Directors with colleagues from Germany, Norway, Melbourne & Poland.
16.12.2021 PowerOn'21 brought together PowerLab members from 14 countries to celebrate achievements and happy moments from 2021
02.12.2021 Congratulations to PowerLab PhD candidate Edi Putra on his recent wedding ceremony
04.11.2021 PowerLab’s Prof Thomas Astell-Burt will feature as invited speaker in December’s World Urban Parks Congress.
28.10.2021 PowerLab celebrates World Cities Day on 31 October 2021. Our PowerCard on Urban green space and health aligns with this year’s theme of: Adapting Cities for Climate Resilience. Read More here: Link to article
28.10.2021 NSW DPIE Valuing Green Infrastructure & Public Spaces high-level discussion on challenges of valuing green infrastructure and open spaces, with Prof Thomas Astell-Burt. View twitter details here and here. View event summary here
26.10.2021 Prof Astell-Burt features as Keynote at the UN/FAO’s 3rd Asia Pacific Urban Forestry Meeting ‘Healthy Cities’ panel, also featuring PowerLab’s A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng. View Twitter details here. View event summary here.
27.10.2021 Congratulations to PowerLab graduate Dr Tashi Dendup on his new role as Senior Health Program Manager with Save the Children Country Office, Bhutan. Best wishes Dr Dendup!
21.10.2021 New PowerLab publication: ‘Is urban green space associated with lower mental healthcare expenditure?’ This paper is in collaboration with UNSW and The George Institute.
19.10.2021 PowerLab comes together to discuss Climate action at PowerOn!
30.09.2021 Insights into Healthy Ageing research by PhD Candidate Eme John, as we acknowledge International Older Persons Day on 1st October
22.09.2021 PowerOn meeting with the UN SDG Goal #11 as our theme, highlighting our research on Sustainable Cities and Communities
21.09.2021 Happy Mid-Autumn festival from PowerLab!
21.09.2021 New Green Space publication for PowerLab Directors “Green Space and Health in Mainland China: A Systematic Review”
20.09.2021 New publication from PowerLab: Feng X, Toms R, Astell-Burt T. 2021. Association between green space, outdoor leisure time and physical activity. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. 127349.
17.09.2021 Congratulations to Prof Thomas Astell-Burt, who was part of a UOW Major Equipment Grant awarded $74,405, led by Senior Prof Tony Okely
16.09.2021 PowerLab
Co-Directors A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng and Prof Thomas Astell-Burt make invited presentations with the Greater Sydney Landcare Network. Watch the video
12.09.2021. It’s Dementia Action Week from 20-26 September 2021. Here is how PowerLab’s research is helping to take action! See our PowerGraphic on Dementia
03.09.2021 With the upcoming “R U OK Day” on 9 September 2021, we are reminded how green spaces can help us feel less lonely.
Read the article here
27.08.2021 PowerLab Directors support #WearItPurpleDay2021
@UrbanFeng @ProfAstellBurt
17.08.2021 Presentation for Illawarra Shoalhaven Walk Alliance with Professor Astell-Burt
30.05.2021 PhD candidate Selin Akaraci submits PhD thesis
16.12.2020 PowerLab PhD candidate Tashi Dendup successfully completes his PhD Thesis “Built environment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.”
25.11.2020 Successful research proposal review by PhD Candidate Jiangmei Liu
25.11.2020 PowerLab members share joyful news at HAS school meeting. We shared things that have bought us joy in a tough year. We spoke of food, pets, family and most importantly, our support for each other
22.07.2020 PhD candidate Edi participated in the 3MT – UOW’s Three Minute Thesis Competition. His presentation was titled "Can nature help children to be kind?"
14.05.2020 PhD candidate Tashi Dendup presents virtually at Preventive Health Conference (PHAA). Presentation titled: Built environment and diabetes incidence: Exploring potential mediating pathways in a longitudinal study
22.04.2020 HAS School Research Seminar on Zoom
03.03.2020 PhD Candidate Faysal Shuvo successfully completed his Phd candidature, entitled "Green space provision, quality and use in diverse international settings"
18.11.2019 POWERTALK: Prof Terry Hartig, Uppsala University, Sweden, presents on 18 November 2019
10.2019 Prof Thomas Astell-Burt and A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng visit Peking Union Medical College
09.10.2019 POWERTALK: Dr May El Barachi, on 9 October 2019
28.08.2019 PowerFest’19
19.08.2019 PhD candidate Eme John joins PowerLab
01.08.2019 Promotion for A/P Xiaoqi Feng
19.07.2019 Thomas Astell-Burt becomes an IHMRI panel representative on IHMRI's new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee
15.07.2019 PhD Candidate Edi Putra joins PowerLab
31.05.2019 Professor Thomas Astell-Burt presents at ISGLOBAL Barcelona, Spain
29.04.2019 PowerLab welcomes research Assistant Phil Kosiak
24.04.2019 PowerLab Co-Directors and PhD candidates present at the School of Health and Society Research Seminar
29.05.2019 Thomas, Xiaoqi and Glenn (Faculty Exec Dean) visit UCL UK
19.05.2019 POWERTALK Dr Ronan Foley
16.05.2019 POWERTALK: Professor Ian Wright, May 2019
14.02.2021 POWERTALK: Professor Anne McMunn, UCL UK, February 2019
11.02.2019 POWERTALK: Professor Angie Wade, UCL UK, February 2019
25.02.2019 Xiaoqi Feng celebrating female researchers at IHMRI event with Dame Bridget Ogilvie
09.01.2019 PhD BLOG feature
07.12.2018 POWERTALK'18 Strengthening UOW academic – community partnerships
5.12.2018 PowerLab Office moves to the Innovation Campus
22.11.2018 Kidsafe Keynote presented by A/Prof Xiaoqi Feng in Sydney
15.11.2018 Dr Sarah Foster & Dr Paula Hooper present PowerTalk: The HIGH LIFE
12.11.2018 New Staff member Walt Davis joins Powerlab
30.10.2018 Dr Iain Butterworth gives PowerTalk
23.08.2018 Xiaoqi Feng presents AHPA Symposium Keynote at Old Parliament House, Canberra
01.08.2018 Clearing the air on causes of Diabetes
23.07.2018 The PowerLab has welcomed PhD candidate Shumirai Mushangwe.
08.06.2018 PowerLab PhD candidate Tashi Dendup had great success and received a “Highly Commended” award in the Faculty of Social Sciences heat of the ‘3 Minute Thesis’ competition!
2&3 .05.2018 Professor Gavin Turrell visited UOW & presented the PowerTalk seminar & PowerUp workshop
01.05.2018 The PowerLab has welcomed PhD candidate Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz
