HDR Thesis Showcase

Double burden of malnutrition: a contemporary global health challenge 

HDR student: Tuhin Bisawas
Advisors: Associate Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, Associate Professor Ricardo J Soares Magalhaes, Associate Professor Nick Townsend

Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, an ISSR PhD researcher recently found a decline in the prevalence of underweight and an increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity among women in South Asia and Southeast Asia. This research is important because it addresses an important evidence-gap and has the potential to contribute to intervention development and policy change addressing obesity as a public health issue in low to middle-income countries. 

Relaxation and Unrest: A Crystallization of Children’s Experiences in Early Childhood Education and Care

HDR student: Emma Cooke
Advisors: Dr Sally Staton, Dr Andrew Clarke, Professor Karen Thorpe

An ISSR PhD researcher has recently undertaken an innovative study into how children experience rest and relaxation in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). This research is important because it demonstrates that children’s voices are critical in the design of childcare settings, the development of policies to support opportunities for relaxation, and the day-to-day practices of ECEC services.

Adolescent Motherhood in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Trends, Determinants, and Child Health Outcomes

HDR student: M Mamun Huda
Advisors: Assoicate Professor Abdullah Mamun, Dr Martin O’Flaherty / Dr Jocelyn Finlay

Assessing data from 74 countries, an ISSR PhD researcher has shed new light on understanding the health problems that affect adolescent mothers and its association with child health outcomes. This research is important because it highlights that efforts to reduce adolescent motherhood and the associated health impacts need to be reinforced worldwide, and that enhanced interventions are needed to improve adolescent girls' education, nutrition, and maternal health care to better support adolescent mothers.  

Pride and Prejudice: The claiming and contesting of men’s participation in Early Childhood Education and Care

HDR student: Ms Victoria Sullivan 
Advisors: Professor Karen Thorpe (ISSR), Dr Laetitia Coles (ISSR) and Dr Yuwei Xu (University of Nottingham) and with the industry partner Goodstart Early Learning.

Recognising the critical shortage of qualified staff in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and a significantly low number male educators, an ISSR PhD researcher provides new insight into the participation of male educators in ECEC and the factors that influence their ongoing retention in the workforce.