Niina marni (Hello in Kaurna),
Prior to my current role in the School of Health Sciences I was employed at UniSA as a Research Assistant with the CERM Performance Indicators Project (2002-2010) as well as a sessional tutor/lecturer in the School of Management.
My Research Assistant role included developing and maintaining industry focused survey research that incorporated both service quality performance indicators as well as health-related benefit measures. This research work involved working with local government authorities across Australia and NZ in relation to their community aquatic and recreation facilities.
From 2002 to 2008 I also co-ordinated and managed an ongoing research project that involved undergraduate 2nd Year UniSA... Read more
About me
Niina marni (Hello in Kaurna),
Prior to my current role in the School of Health Sciences I was employed at UniSA as a Research Assistant with the CERM Performance Indicators Project (2002-2010) as well as a sessional tutor/lecturer in the School of Management.
My Research Assistant role included developing and maintaining industry focused survey research that incorporated both service quality performance indicators as well as health-related benefit measures. This research work involved working with local government authorities across Australia and NZ in relation to their community aquatic and recreation facilities.
From 2002 to 2008 I also co-ordinated and managed an ongoing research project that involved undergraduate 2nd Year UniSA Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management students. This collaborative research project involved Minda Inc. (a not-for-profit organisation for people with intellectual impairments) and focussed on developing an understanding of recreation and leisure services provided by Minda Inc. from people with an intellectual disability.
From 2003 to 2004 I conducted a mixed method honours study exploring the potential of elite athletes with disabilities being involved in the Olympic Games. This study included a comparative analysis of previous Olympic and Paralympic Games results as well as conducting an online Delphi with athletes with disabilities in Australia, USA & England.
Following the successful completion of my honours degree, I embarked on a PhD (2006-2012). My PhD research focused on developing an understanding of community recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. Using a Grounded Theory approach, I have conducted numerous interviews with local government staff as well as analysing relevant publicly available documents, such a local government Disability Action Plans as well as Sport and Recreation Plans and Strategies.
Since 2010 I have been teaching and researching in the School of Health Sciences. I have been involved with a number of community based recreation/sport projects, including the UniSA Football United sport for development program (2012 – current), the City of Port Adelaide Enfield's Street Sport program (2012 – 2014) and the Cirkidz in Schools projects (2014 – current). All these projects have focused on providing youth in disadvantaged communities’ opportunities to access sport/recreation/arts. The research embedded within each of these projects has incorporated the use of a number of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of the projects.
In 2012, as a member of two teams, I was awarded two Chancellor’s UniSA Community Service Award’s, one for Mobile Allied-Health Clinic: Community Projects and another for the Football United-UniSA (Fun-UniSA) for contributions to community engagement and development initiatives.
My research method interests are mainly within the qualitative paradigm, particularly in relation to the use of critical analysis and social interactionist methods such as Grounded Theory, Action Research and Critical Discourse Analysis.
My experiences prior to academia have included working as a volunteer in the community sport and recreation sector, both for local sporting organisations as well as with local government.
Currently I teach across a number of sociological and health promotion courses as well as co-ordinate a final year placement course. I’m currently one of the School of Health Sciences Academic Integrity Officers, a member of the Division of Health Sciences Aboriginal Strategy Group and an Associate Member of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA).
A core underpinning value I bring to both my teaching and research is the need to be reflective of practice, both our own as well as that of others. I also believe that if we are to develop a fair and just society we need to work with all, listen carefully and find ways to include the voices and views of those who are disadvantaged by the status quo.
About me
Australia and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies
International Research Society for Public Management
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of South Australia
Bachelor of Applied Science (Recreation, Planning and Management) University of South Australia
Developing an understanding of the impact and benefits of 3x3 basketball participation
Evaluating the impact of the Cirkidz Transition Program at the Wirreanda Secondary School
Identifying the Social Return on Investment of circus-based training for children and youth
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Conferences
2019
ACHPER National Conference, Canberra
Leisure Studies Association Annual Conference, Dundee, United Kingdom
2018
Leisure & Recreation Association of South Africa International Congress, Durban
Pleasure and Health Colloquium, Adelaide, Australia
19th International Sociology Association World Congress of Sociology, Toronto
Leisure Studies Association Annual Conference, Bath,UK
2017
13th Biennial ANZALS Conference, Hobart
30th ACHPER International Conference, Canberra
2016
ANZALS/AARE symposium, Melbourne
SA State Population Health Conference, Adelaide
5th Australian Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Conference, Adelaide
Australian Health Promotion Association 23rd National Conference, Perth
Optimising Health: Salutogenic approaches to health practice, policy, research and education, Canberra
2015
12th Biennial ANZALS Conference, Adelaide
2014
SA State Population Health Conference, Adelaide
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2019 |
21
|
| 2019 |
Open access
33
|
| 2019 |
Open access
18
15
20
|
| 2018 |
18
14
3
|
| 2017 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
Open access
|
| 2021 |
Open access
13
|
| 2019 |
|
| 2017 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
|
| 2024 |
Open access
7
8
95
|
| 2024 |
Open access
|
| 2023 |
Open access
2
42
|
| 2021 |
12
11
7
|
| 2019 |
21
|
| 2019 |
Open access
33
|
| 2019 |
Open access
18
15
20
|
| 2018 |
Open access
4
3
7
|
| 2018 |
18
14
3
|
| 2017 |
Open access
18
8
2
|
| 2016 |
Open access
31
25
7
|
| 2016 |
2
2
|
| 2016 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2015 |
Open access
|
| 2013 |
15
14
|
| 2011 |
14
11
|
| 2010 |
2
|
| 2009 |
Open access
14
11
|
| 2008 |
55
|
| 2008 |
8
|
Researchgate Profile of Outputs here
Recent Publications
Peel, N., Maxwell, H. & McGrath, R. 2019, ‘Leisure & Health: Contested and Conjoined Discourses’, Annals of Leisure Research
McGrath, R. & Stevens, K. 2019, ‘Forecasting the Social Return on Investment Associated with Children's Participation in Circus-Arts Training on Their Mental Health and Well-Being’, International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure
Milanese, E., Crozier, A. & McGrath, R. 2019, ‘Developing good practice coaching strategies for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a school based Multi-Sports Program’, Strategies
Stevens, K., McGrath, R. & Ward, E. 2018, ‘Identifying the influence of leisure-based social circus on the health and wellbeing of young people in Australia, Annals of Leisure Studies
Young, J., McGrath, R. & Adams, C. 2018, ‘Fresh air, sunshine and happiness: Millennials building health (salutogenesis) in leisure and nature’, Annals of Leisure Research
Research
Developing an understanding of the impact and benefits of 3x3 basketball participation
Evaluating the impact of the Cirkidz Transition Program at the Wirreanda Secondary School
Identifying the Social Return on Investment of circus-based training for children and youth
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Brock University | CANADA |
| ECH Incorporated | AUSTRALIA |
| Edith Cowan University | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Lincoln University | NEW ZEALAND |
| Military and Emergency Services Health Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
| Queensland Department of Health | AUSTRALIA |
| Southern Cross University | AUSTRALIA |
| Texas State University | UNITED STATES |
| University of Bath | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Tasmania | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Technology Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| Victoria University | AUSTRALIA |
| Western Sydney University | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
MemberInternational Research Society for Public Management |
2018 |
MemberAustralia and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies |
2018 |
MemberAustralian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) |
2018 |
Member, Action ResearchParks and Leisure Australia |
2018 |
MemberAustralian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) |
2017 |
MemberAustralia and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies |
2017 |
MemberInternational Research Society for Public Management |
2017 |
Member, Action ResearchParks and Leisure Australia |
2017 |
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Exploration of reminiscence programs for older people: findings from the literature and community practice | Current |
| Exploring visually impaired tourists experience using electroencephalogram (EEG) | Current |
| Investigating period poverty in South Australia | Current |
| Exploring elite female athletes experience of pregnancy and motherhood | Completed |
