Sam Fien

My Networks

About Me

Dr. Samantha Fien (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer and Practicum Coordinator at CQUniversity based in Mackay. Dr Samantha Fien is known for combining academic research, teaching, and community engagement, particularly in improving health outcomes for older adults and frontline community responders. Her work emphasises practical impact, bridging the gap between research evidence and real-world application with strong industry links as the National Well-Being Advisor for Surf Life Saving Australia and State Lifesaving Officer for Surf Life Saving Queensland.

General

Background

Samantha completed her Bachelor of Exercise Science and her PhD at Bond University. Her PhD research topic was "Gait Performance and the Benefits of Exercise in Adults Living in Residential Aged Care” and was under the supervision of Dr. Justin Keogh, Dr. Mike Climstein, and Dr. Timothy Henwood.

Universities Studied At

Bond University (2010,2012-2018)

CQUniversity (2020-2022)

Universities Worked At

Bond University (2016-2018)

Awards

May 2017: Awarded the International Travel Exchange scholarship from the Emerging Researchers in Ageing (ERA) initiative “ERA Exchange” for eight weeks in the University College Dublin in Ireland with additional support from the Australian Research Council - Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR).

Media Citations

Podcasts

Academic Skills Centre Podcast Series Bond University. The journey to PhD: A personal experience. 2020

The Knowbodies. Putting Care Into Clinical Research. 2018

7 News. 16th April 2021. Regional Queensland researcher takes a closer look at why elderly people are more at risk of falling.10,0000 views on social media.

Spotify

Promoted

Episode 3. Create your own opportunity with Samantha Fien https://shorturl.at/KmDtD

YouTube Interview

Exercise Science

https://www.whitsundaystemchallenge.com.au/exercise-science-sam.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQx_SXMvpsg&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/ watch? v= Y5Gpm Fc9s-I

https://bond.edu.au/news/48800/sam-swaps-bond’s-sandstonearches-emerald-isle

Radio interviews

Promoting exercise

ABC Far North Queensland 20th April 8:54am

SLSA Mental health project

ABC Tropical North FM 5th August 2021 6:30am

ABC North Queensland 5th August 2021 6:30am

ABC Tropical North FM 5th August 2021 7:30am

ABC Coast FM 5th August 2021 7:30am

ABC Tropical North FM 5th August 2021 9:38am

ABC Tropical North FM 5th August 2021 9:43am

ABC North Queensland 5th August 2021 7:33am

ABC North Queensland 5th August 2021 8:30am

ABC Capricornia FM 5th August 2021 7:35am

ABC Sunshine Coast FM 6th August 2021 6:35am

ABC Sunshine Coast FM 6th August 2021 7:35am

Newspaper articles

Courier Mail. 22nd May 2021. Surf lifesavers to benefit from trauma help at Kinchant Dam. https://shorturl.at/uvXvP

Courier Mail. 7th May 2021. Kinchant Dam veterans and first responders wellness centre: https://shorturl.at/g5RtJ

The Senior. 29th August 2018. Weight training key to quality of life for aged care residents: Bond University. https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/5609135/sams-bar-belles-why-101-year-olds-should- be-pumping-iron/

Gold Coast Sun. 31st August 2018. Weight a minute. http://readnow.isentia.com/ReadNow.aspx?2Y9gqxy211DT

Blogs

Healthcare Channel

Strength Training in Aged Care – Keeping our seniors fit. December 18, 2019. Link: https://healthcarechannel.co/strength-training-in-aged-care-keeping-our-seniors-fit/

GrACE and GAIT exercise programme in the residential aged care setting. December 23, 2019. Link: https://healthcarechannel.co/grace-and-gait-exercise-programme-in-the-residential-aged-care-setting/

The Modern Superheroes: Seeing COVID’s effects on healthcare workers. October 27, 2021. Link: https://healthcarechannel.co/the-modern-superheroes-seeing-covids-effects-on-healthcare-workers/

AAG

Grants, awards.....and ABBA. August 2019. Link: https://www.aag.asn.au/news-publications/secg-blog/secg-blog-grants-awards-and-abba

End of Life Essentials

Gaining an understanding of what is a good death. 2025. Link: https://shorturl.at/NPE2M

Bond University

International exchange trip to Ireland. 2017. Link: http://bonduniversity.tumblr.com/post/165812544591/be-fearless-in-the-pursuit-of-whatsets-your-soul

Applied Research in Connected Health, Ireland. 2017. Link: https://www.arch.ie/blog-post/aussie-draws-the-short-straw/

Professional Experience

Lab Tutor, Faculty Health Science & Medicine Bond University, Gold Coast

Exercise Scientist, The Terraces, McKenzie Aged Care Facility, Gold Coast

Cardiac Technician, The Cardiac Centre, Gold Coast

Professional Memberships

2015 - Present Australian Association of Gerontology

2015 - 2019 Emerging Researchers in Ageing

2000 - Present Surf Life Saving

Responsibilities

National Well-Being Advisor, Surf Life Saving Australia

State Lifesaving Officer, Surf Life Saving Queensland

Chair Research Panel, Surf Life Saving Queensland

Research Supervision

Accreditation

I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:

4203 Health services and systems
4207 Sports science and exercise
4206 Public health

Current Capacity

I am currently available to supervise more research candidates

Current Supervision

Doctor of Philosophy

Exploring the lived experiences and healthcare inequities of chronic heart failure patients in regional and metropolitan Australia

Principal Supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy

Assessing the effectiveness, usability, acceptability, user experience, and preliminary effectiveness of a machine learning chatbot intervention to improve physical activity in older adults

Associate Supervisor

Master of Research

What should ‘care at home until I die’ look like for older people in Australia? - An exploration of the services needed to support long-term community living.

Associate Supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy

Factors impacting on the ability of people with acquired disabilities to gain and/or sustain employment: An Australian study

Associate Supervisor

Research Interests

Health Sciences

Sports science and exercise - Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified
Surf lifesaving

Medical And Health Sciences

Human Movement and Sports Science - Biomechanics
Gait speed and the spatio-temporal parameters relating to gait speed

Medical And Health Sciences

Human Movement and Sports Science - Exercise Physiology
Progressive resistance training in older adults living in residential aged care and community-dwelling

Medical And Health Sciences

Public Health and Health Services - Aged Health Care
adverse events (falls, hospitalisation, wounds)

Psychology

Applied and developmental psychology - Applied and developmental psychology not elsewhere classified
Frontline emergency services