Daniel Wadsworth

Dr Wadsworth is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and a Postdoctoral Fellow at Manna Institute for rural and regional mental health, where his research is grounded in the healthy ageing of older adults and wellbeing across the lifespan. Throughout his research, he has worked to promote accessible physical activity in older adults, incorporating social connection and creative practice through a multi-disciplinary, mixed-methods approach. He holds a particular interest in the health and wellbeing of older adults in rural and regional areas, and in the co-creation of accessible and appropriate supports and services in such settings; this approach extends to supporting healthy lifestyle behaviours of young adults.

Dr Wadsworth currently leads the Manna Institute Health and Wellbeing in Later Life research stream, and the Manna Institute HDR Student Community of Practice, connecting and supporting rural and regional postgraduate students across Australia. He further co-leads the Early- and Mid-Career Academic Network at UniSC, planning and delivering training, mentorship, and development opportunities and resources to >180 members, engaging with University Executive and national policymakers (Regional Universities Network). His leadership roles at UniSC extend to School of Health research themes in Active Ageing; Mental Health in rural, regional, and remote communities; and Creativity and Connectedness in Healthy Ageing.

Dan’s ongoing work with rural and regional communities has been profiled across national media, including:

Giving back to the community important in healthy ageing

Country universities champion local charity research

All aboard the Kilkivan

In 2021/22, Dan was Australian-lead author on a series of high-impact multinational papers exploring the health and wellbeing implications of COVID-19 and associated movement restrictions, informing international public health policy (Switzerland):

Physical activity, mental health and wellbeing of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis

Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults within and during the Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions, in the United Kingdom and New Zealand

Dr Wadsworth has worked with researchers and clinicians to develop local health policy:

Country to Coast Primary Healthcare Network: Ageing Well in our Region: A Health Ageing Strategy 2022 - 2027

Dan’s co-authored textbook for allied health practitioners was nationally awarded at the 2022 Australian Educational Publishing Awards as Outstanding Tertiary / VET textbook:

Principles of Anatomy & Physiology for Nursing and Healthcare Students in Australia