Leon Straker

Leon Straker is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin University School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science and Scientific Director of the Raine Study.

He has an international reputation for prevention research related to the potential impacts of evolving technology on the health and well-being of children and adults. This has included examining the impacts on aspects of physical health (such as muscles, bones, joints, motor coodination, heart rate, energy expenditure, and adiposity), as well as mental health (such as depression and anxiety) and social outcomes (academic achievement and work productivity). He is experienced in a wide variety of research methods including epidemiological studies, laboratory studies, clinical trials and qualitative studies. He has published over 270 peer-reviewed articles and has been cited over 11,000 times.

His clinical experience has included working as a community physiotherapist providing prevention education for adult workers and school children, on a government Repetitive Strain Injurytaskforce, and as the first ergonomist for the UK National Health Service where he developed a participative approach to risk management.

Recently he lead/co-lead research teams providing evidence published by WorkSafe Australia to support the recognition of excessive sitting as an occupational hazard and guidance published by Early Childhood Australia to assist wise use of technology by young children.