Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Brea Kunstler is a Research Fellow at BehaviourWorks Australia, part of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. She is also a practising physiotherapist specializing in exercise coaching.
Brea holds a PhD from Federation University Australia, where her thesis focused on the behaviour change techniques physiotherapists use to encourage physical activity among their patients. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from Deakin University, a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science, and a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy from La Trobe University. Brea is passionate about improving health at a local and global scale, with her work impacting both local and global policy.
As a generalist health researcher, Brea's current research involves reviewing literature, conducting surveys, and interviewing individuals whose behaviour is the target of interest. She has several peer-reviewed publications as the first author, has presented at numerous local and international conferences, and engages with industry by delivering professional development seminars.
In 2021, Brea completed a secondment with the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, contributing to the development of living guidelines on the use of personal protective equipment in healthcare settings to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. This work earned her team the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research – Enterprise (Team) at the Monash University Vice Chancellor's Education and Research Awards.
In 2023, Brea led a team of researchers from various Monash University faculties to conduct a survey and interview study on attitudes towards the use of psychedelics for treating mental health conditions. Her work has significantly influenced national discourse on mental health treatments. Brea has also led projects to improve foster carer recruitment. The findings of her work informed policy and recruitment strategies by foster care agencies and were presented to government and industry leaders, demonstrating her commitment to engaging with communities to develop innovative solutions.
Brea is actively involved in co-convening an Australia-wide group of researchers and clinical physiotherapists called Physios4PA, which advises the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) on physical activity matters. She is also a mental health first aider and wellbeing champion at Monash University, promoting mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
Research interests:
Dr Kunstler is passionate about supporting health professionals change patient behaviour. Specifically, she is passionate about finding the best ways to change physical activity behaviours in various populations and how systems influence those behaviours. The Australian Physiotherapy Association partly funded her PhD in the topic via a Tagged Grant.
Supervision interests:
I have extensive mentoring experience of honours and PhD students from many universities undertaking projects related to physical activity. I can be approached for co-supervision opportunities in this space.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
External positions
Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
11 Feb 2018 → 5 Apr 2019
Research area keywords
- Physical activity
- Health
- Physiotherapy
- Systematic Review
- Behaviour Change
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Western Health Harnessing behavioural science to improve hospital processes
Wright, B., Goodwin, D., Kunstler, B., Lennox, A. & Kneebone, S.
28/06/23 → 31/05/25
Project: Research
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Developing and Testing an individual Resilience Survey for the Corangamite, Colac Otway and Surf Coast Shires
Wright, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Lennox, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Keating, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sheppard, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Abrahams, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Fisher, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Kunstler, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Zhao, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Nuggehalli Krishna, R. (Associate Investigator (AI))
20/09/23 → 30/06/24
Project: Research
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OzChild Increasing the pool of foster carers: Understanding drivers and barriers to becoming a carer
Wright, B., Kunstler, B. & Mendoza Alcantara, A.
28/06/23 → 30/04/24
Project: Research
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A very brief intervention for physical activity behaviour change in cardiac rehabilitation: the ‘Measure It!’ trial
Freene, N. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Davey, R. C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), McPhail, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Kunstler, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Tyack, Z. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Keegan, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Niyonsenga, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Verdicchio, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Abhayaratna, W. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Gallagher, R. D. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/02/23 → 31/01/25
Project: Research
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Measuring attitudes towards using psychedelic drugs to treat mental illness
Kunstler, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Smith, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Wright, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Goodwin, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hatty, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Langmead, C. (Chief Investigator (CI))
27/10/22 → 25/11/22
Project: Research
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Preventive healthcare practice by allied health professionals: results from a cross-sectional survey in rural and regional Victoria
Barrett, S., Begg, S., Harris, S., OʼHalloran, P., Kunstler, B., Bolam, B., Masman, K. A. & Kingsley, M., Oct 2024, In: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 48, 5, 6 p., 100192.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Uptake of telehealth services by people recovering from road trauma in Victoria, Australia
Ekegren, C. L. (Leading Author), Lee, P., Gabbe, B. J., Hill, K. D., Keeves, J., Kimmel, L., Kunstler, B., Reeder, S. C. & Brusco, N. K., 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Trauma. 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Using generic behaviour change tools when time and resources are scarce
Smith, L., Slattery, P., Kunstler, B. & Macklin, J., 2024, Inspiring Change: How to Influence Behaviour for a Better World. Smith, L., Curtis, J., Bragge, P. & Kellner, P. (eds.). 1st ed. Melbourne Vic Australia: Monash University Publishing, p. 175-192 18 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Other
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How effective are interventions in optimizing workplace mental health and well-being? A scoping review of reviews and evidence map
Waddell, A., Kunstler, B., Lennox, A., Pattuwage, L., Grundy, E. A. C., Tsering, D., Olivier, P. & Bragge, P., 1 May 2023, In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. 49, 4, p. 235-248 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile21 Citations (Scopus) -
Perspectives of telehealth access and implementation in people recovering from serious transport injury, health care providers and compensation system staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
Ekegren, C. L. (Leading Author), Clark-Ash, M., Callaway, L., Hill, K. D., Gabbe, B. J., Kunstler, B., Keeves, J., Kimmel, L. & Reeder, S. C., Oct 2023, In: Injury. 54, 10, 8 p., 110987.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access2 Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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2021 PHRP Excellence Awards - Best InPractice Paper
Kunstler, B. (Recipient), Goodwin, D. (Recipient), Wild, A. (Recipient) & Skouteris, H. (Recipient), 18 Dec 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Dean's Awards for Excellence in Research - Enterprise (team)
Turner, T. (Recipient), Elliott, J. (Recipient), Tendal, B. (Recipient), Tate, R. (Recipient), Morris-Donovan, B. (Recipient), Hudson, E. (Recipient), McDonald, S. (Recipient), White, H. (Recipient), Cheyne, S. (Recipient), Fraile Navarro, D. (Recipient), Vogel, J. (Recipient), Chakraborty, S. (Recipient), Primmer, D. (Recipient), Timms, S. (Recipient), Poole, A. (Recipient), Kunstler, B. (Recipient), Gurry, S. (Recipient), Hurley, S. (Recipient), Hewitt, J. (Recipient), Cumpston, M. (Recipient), Sidhu, J. (Recipient), Millard, T. (Recipient), Tieu, L. (Recipient) & Henty, J. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Behaviour Change in Clinical Practice
Brea Kunstler (Contributor)
5 Apr 2023Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Guidelines International Network Conference 2021
Brea Kunstler (Speaker)
25 Oct 2021 → 27 Oct 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (Journal)
Brea Kunstler (Peer reviewer)
2020 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review responsibility
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Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (Journal)
Brea Kunstler (Peer reviewer)
2020 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review responsibility
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Australian Physiotherapy Association Tasmanian State Symposium
Brea Kunstler (Invited speaker)
14 Mar 2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
Press/Media
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5 facts about...Physical activity and cardiovascular disease
1/05/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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How to boost community and stakeholder support for the use of psychedelic medicines
Kunstler, B., Hatty, M., Smith, L., Wright, B. & Langmead, C.
14/02/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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