Jenny Veitch is an Associate Professor in the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), at Deakin University, Australia.
Her research aims to better understand the impact of the built and natural environment on physical activity and health-related behaviours. A/Prof Veitch has a particular research focus on understanding how the design of parks and public open spaces can optimise physical activity and social interaction among children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Since the award of her PhD in 2008, she has attracted >$3.8M in competitive research funds, including three consecutive nationally competitive externally funded research-fellowships, providing support for her program of research for 13 years (2009-2021). As at September 2023 she is Chair, Faculty of Health, Human Ethics Advisory Group, Low Risk Ethics Committee HEAG-H, Academic lead of IPAN’s Stakeholder Engagement Committee and Co-Chair, of the World Urban Parks’ Children, Play and Nature Committee. She has authored >114 publications (33% lead author, 31% senior author), two book chapters and 19 reports for government/NGOs. Over 42% of her publications are with international co-authors. Her research has been cited by researchers in >109 countries and in 60 policy/guideline documents across nine countries.
Ten recent publications:
- Veitch J, Timperio A, Salmon J, Hall SJ, Abbott G, Flowers E, Turner AI. Examination of the acute heart rate and salivary cortisol response to a single bout of walking in urban and green environments. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 74:127660.
- Veitch J, Biggs N, Deforche, Timperio A. Exploring important park features for active and social park use among adults: a qualitative study using walk-along interviews. Health and Place, BMC Public Health, 22:753.
- Veitch J, Ball K, Rivera R, Loh V, Deforche B, Timperio A. (2021) Understanding children’s preference for park features that encourage physical activity: An adaptive choice based conjoint analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18:133.
- Veitch J, Ball K, Rivera E, Loh V, Deforche B, Best K, Timperio (2021) What entices older adults to parks? Identification of park features that encourage park visitation, physical activity, and social interaction. Landscape and Urban Planning, 217, 104254.
- Veitch J, Salmon J, Abbott G, Timperio A, Sahlqvist S. (2021) Understanding the impact of the installation of outdoor fitness equipment and a multi-sports court on park visitation and park-based physical activity: a natural experiment. Health and Place, 71.
- Veitch J, Rodwell L, Abbott G , Carver A, Flowers E, Crawford (2021) Are park availability and satisfaction with neighbourhood parks associated with physical activity and time spent outdoors? BMC Public Health, 21,306.
- Veitch J, Ball K, Flowers E, Deforche B, Timperio A. (2021) Children’s ratings of park features that encourage park visitation, physical activity and social interaction. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 58,126963
- Veitch J, Elliott F, Ball K, Deforche B, Timperio (2020) Exploring children’s views on important park features: a qualitative study using walk-along interviews. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 7, 4625
- Veitch J, Flowers E, Ball K, Deforche B, Timperio A. (2020) Designing parks for older adults: A qualitative study using walk-along interviews. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 54, 126768 org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126768
- Veitch J, Denniss E, Ball K, Koorts H, Deforche B, Timperio (2020) Increasing translation of research evidence for optimal park design: A qualitative study with stakeholders. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17. 49 doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-00952-5.
Recent projects
Optimising park features for all ages
This video outlines the research findings of A/Prof Jenny Veitch and team about the most valued park features in different age groups.
Click to play video – 3.46 MIN
REVAMP study
The Recording and Evaluating Activity in a Modified Park (REVAMP) study was a natural experiment that examined the impact of the installation of a play-scape on park visitation and park-based physical activity compared with a control park.
Click to play video – 2:23 MIN
Summary report – PDF, 1 MB
Infographic – PDF, 333 KB
ProjectPARK
This three-year project (2017-2020) identified the relative importance of park features that attract children (8-12 years), teens (13-18 years) and older adults (65+ years) to visit parks, and to be active and social during their time in the park.
Summary report – PDF, 616 KB
Infographic – Older adults – PDF, 128 KB
Infographic – Teens – PDF, 129 KB
Infographic – Children – PDF, 128 KB
Parks for heart health
This project is supported by an Australian National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship.
Infographic: Important park features for adults 19-64 years – PDF, 168 KB