Her fellowship, funded by the Heart Foundation, has enabled Hayley to pioneer complex interventions transforming the methodology, evidence-base and implementation of strategies to improve physical activity and cardiovascular health across childhood.

She leads the internationally recognised PLAYCE research program at the Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia. Hayley has developed early childhood education and care policy and practice strategies to improve young children’s movement behaviours, tracked the impact of early movement behaviours on childhood obesity, and developed and tested interventions to improve physical activity levels in early childhood; all with the goal to support children to establish a robust foundation for lifelong cardiovascular health.

Associate Professor Hayley Christian's leadership, extensive publication and translation record, and collaborative networks position her at the forefront of early childhood physical activity intervention research, paving the way for a healthier and more active future for our children.