Dr. Amanda Rebar
PhD (2013; The Pennsylvania State University; Kinesiology - Sport and Exercise Psychology); Masters (2010; The Pennsylvania State University; Kinesiology - Sport and Exercise Psychology); BS (2008; Indiana University; Psychology, with minors in Statisics and Biology)Associate Professor
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
Appleton Institute
Building 7 - LG.15
Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, QLD, 4702
I am the Lead of Social Insights Research at CQUniversity. Additionally, I am director of the award-winning Motivation of Health Behaviours Lab and on the leadership team of CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute of Research.
I am an Associate Professor of Psychology and statistical consultant for the School of Graduate Research and Statistical Deputy Editor for a leading journal, Stress and Health. I received my PhD (2013) and Masters (2010) from Pennsylvania State University (USA) with advanced training in biostatistics (quantitative analyses). Additionally, I received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology (minor in Statistics) from Indiana University (2008).
My area of expertise is: My current focus is on social licensing and community engagement of industries, informed by the psychology of motivation. My specific area of expertise is on dual process models of attitude, habit formation, and behaviour change. Until recently, my main area of research was focused on health behaviour change, funded through a research fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Background
Dr Rebar was born in Utah (USA) and lived in America until relocating to Australia in May 2013.
Universities Studied At
Phd, Masters: The Pennsylania University (supervisor: Dr David E Conroy)
BS: Indiana University (supversior: Dr John E Bates)
Awards
Young Tall Poppy Science Award, Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist and Australian Institute of Policy and Science, 2021
Reviewer of the Year, Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 2019
Publication Recognition Award, Central Queensland University, 2019
Publication Recognition Award, Central Queensland University, 2018
Visiting Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London, United Kingdom, 2018
Publication Recognition Award, Central Queensland University, 2017
OPAL Award for Excellence in Engagement, Students: Alfrey, K-L., Neal, J., & Cope, K., Supervisors: Rebar, A. L., & Gardner, B., Central Queensland University, 2017
Publication Recognition Award, Central Queensland University, 2016
Women’s Academic Maternity Funding Award, Advance Queensland, $14,000 AUD, 2015 – 2016
Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Early Career Researcher, Central Queensland University, $5,000 AUD, 2014
Student Voice Award for Educator of the Year, Central Queensland University, 2014
Special Purpose Collaborative Funding Award, The Health Collaborative Research Network, $1,000 AUD, 2014
Special Purpose Collaborative Funding Award, The Health Collaborative Research Network, $1,525 AUD, 2014
Special Purpose Collaborative Funding Award, The Health Collaborative Research Network, $4,000 AUD, 2013
The Department of Kinesiology Graduate Student Research Award, Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2012
Department nomination for the Kligman Graduate Fellowship, Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2012
Ruth W. Ayres-Givens Scholarship, The Pennsylvania State University, $1,675 USD, 2010
The Women in Science and Engineering Institute Travel Grant Award, The Pennsylvania State University, $400 USD, 2010
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship Application Incentive Award, The Pennsylvania State University, $1,000 USD, 2008
The Penn State University Fund for Excellence in Graduate Recruitment Award, The Pennsylvania State University, $2,295 USD, 2008
Excellence in Research, Indiana University, 2008
Hutton Honours College Research Partnership Grant, Indiana University, $500 USD, 2006
Previous teaching
Psychology Honours Thesis Coordinator, Central Queensland University, 2016 - current
Course Coordinator and Instructor, Central Queensland University, Research Methods for Speech Pathology (Allied Health), 2014 - 2016
Guest Speaker for HealthLink Program, Emmaus College Students (year 10 Students) Allied Health Assistance Certificate 3 Program, Topic: Careers Opportunities in Health Research, 2013
Guest Lecture for Psychology Current Trends, Central Queensland University, Topic: Careers in Health Psychology with an Emphasis of Academia, 2013 – 2016
Teaching Assistant for The Biophysical Bases of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2012 – 2013
Instructor for Continuing Education Psychology of Movement Behavior, The Pennsylvania State University, 2012
Lab Instructor and Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2008 – 2009
Teaching Assistant for The Psychology of Movement and Sport, The Pennsylvania State University, 2008
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Psychology Statistical Techniques, Indiana University, 2007 – 2008
Professional Experience
Panel speaker on a career in research Australasian Conference for Undergraduate Research, 2019
Symposium chair Australasian Conference for Undergraduate Research, 2019
3 minute Thesis judge Central Queensland University, School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, 2019
Abstract reviewer, European Federation of Sport Psychology’s 2019 Congress, 2019
Invited web-article submission, Science Trends, 2018
Invited Speaker for Research and Academic Careers in Psychology, CQUniversity Student Psychological Society, 2018
Two first author papers cited, United States Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2018
Featured, Australian Health Policy Collaboration’s Australia's Mental and Physical Health Tracker, 2018
Abstract reviewer, International Society of Physical Activity and Health Congress, 2018
Invited Speaker for writing time habits, Central Queensland University, School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, 2017
Member of abstract reviewing team , Exercise and Sports Science Australia, 2017
Member of abstract reviewing team , International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2017
Instructor for Gladstone Social Innovation Perfect Pitch Masterclass, Central Queensland University, March 2017
Founding Director of the Motivation of Health Behaviours Lab, Central Queensland University, 2016 - current
Volunteer for Research Elements Pilot, Central Queensland University, 2016-2017
Executive Member, Australian Society of Behavioural Health and Medicine, 2016 - 2018
Panel Member, National Health and Medical Research Council PhD Scholarships 2016, 2017, 2019
Assistant Chair, National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grants, Panel 3B: Genetics + Molecular Biology + Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, 2016
Selection Panel Member for Engaged Research Grants, School of Human, Health, and Social Sciences; Central Queensland University, June 2016
Booth Host for Central Queensland University’s Psychology program at Career Expo, Central Queensland University, 2016
Selection Committee Panel Member for Post-Doctoral position, Central Queensland University, 2015
Selection Committee Panel Member for Post-Doctoral position, Central Queensland University and Curtin University, 2015
Invited Speaker for the Early Career Researchers Program, Central Queensland University, 2015
Peer Review Panel Member Alternate, NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships, 2015
Host and Organizer of Health Collaborative Research Network Symposium, Central Queensland University, 2014
External Reviewer of Masters Thesis, University of Southern Queensland, 2014
Independent Assessor of Honours Theses Proposals, Central Queensland University, 2013-current
Independent Assessor of Honours Theses, Central Queensland University, 2013-current
Reward Reviewer, American Psychological Society Student Council RISE Research Award Competition, 2013
Committee Member of National Fellowships Committee, Sigma Delta Epsilon, Graduate Women in Science, 2012
Co-president of Kinesiology Graduate Student Association, 2009 – 2012
Campus Representative for Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus, 2009 – 2010
Workshop Instructor for Women in the Sciences and Engineering camp, 2009
Computer Software
R
Industry Reports
Rebar, A. L. (November 2018). Project update for electrical safety, habit, competence and complacency study. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Rebar A. L. (September 2018).
Project update for exercise rehabilitation study. Bundaberg Health Promotions, Ltd. And Central Queensland University. Bundaberg, QLD, Australia.
Rebar, A. L., Neal, J. (July 2018). LIVIN Strong Program Evaluation Report. LIVIN, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Rebar, A. L., Neal, J., Alfrey, K.-L., Cope, K., Gardner, B. (October 2017). LIVIN Strong Program Evaluation Report. LIVIN, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Editor
International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology - Associate Editor
Psychology of Sport & Exercise - Associate Editor
Stress & Health - Deputy Editor, Statistical Consulting Editor, Section Editor
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport – Associate Editor
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport – Associate Editor, Aug 2017 - 2019
Psychology of Sport and Exercise – Guest Editor of Special Issue: Responsiveness to change of the psychological determinants and outcomes of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, Mar 2017 – Mar 2019
Mental Health and Physical Activity – Guest Editor of Special Issue: Identifying and understanding the determinants and physical activity behavior change processes for people with mental health issues, Jan 2017 – Oct 2017
BMC Public Health – Associate Editor, Nov 2014 – Jun 2016 Editorial Board Memberships
Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Jun 2015 - current
Mental Health and Physical Activity, Jun 2015 - current
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Jun 2014 - current
Understanding the links between workplace health and safety culture, bullying and mental health in the construction industry
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Mates in Construction (QLD & NT) Ltd
Total Funding: $63,932.00
Bundaberg Regional Employment Trial
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 2: Other Public Sector)
Funding Scheme: Department of Innovation,Industry and Science (DIIS)
Total Funding: $18,612.00
Drawing on the science of habit to increase long-term physical activity behaviour and improve health outcomes of cardiovascular and pulmonary exercise rehabilitation
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Foundation for High Blood Pressure Research
Total Funding: $20,000.00
Royal Flying Doctors Service: Drought Wellbeing Service Evaluation
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland Section) Limited
Total Funding: $25,000.00
Ensuring competence of electrical work through more stringent and relevant skills maintenance
Grant: Contract Research (Australian)
Funding Scheme: JETCO Inc
Total Funding: $49,440.00
The facilitators and barriers of physical activity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regional Australians
Grant: Unknown (Not Specified )
Funding Scheme: Rockhampton Basketball Inc
Total Funding: $3,500.00
GNT1105926 - Ringing Pavlov's Bell - Using conditioning tasks to enhance physical activity and reduce cardiovascular disease - NHMRC Early Career Fellowship
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 1: Aust Competitive Grant)
Funding Scheme: NHMRC Early Career Fellowships, for funding commencing in 2016
Total Funding: $314,644.00
Maternity Funding - Amanda Rebar
Grant: Competitive Grant (Public)
Funding Scheme: Advance Queensland Women's Academic Fund
Total Funding: $14,000.00
Accreditation
I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:
- 4206 Public health
- 5203 Clinical and health psychology
- 5205 Social and personality psychology
At the level of Principal Supervisor
Current Capacity
Social and personality psychology - Community psychology
Social and personality psychology - Social psychology
Psychology - Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
Health behaviour change, habit change/formation, automatic influences on behaviour, theory
