I have over 15 years experience working with the health and fitness sectors, as an educator, trainer and now researcher. I have led the development of industry-based resources on behalf of the Australian Federal Government and Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), including the 2020 Australian Exercise during Pregnancy guidelines and the 2016 Exercise during pregnancy and postpartum period position statement respectively. I have been an invited speaker at professional workshops for the Queensland Academy of Sports (QAS) and Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and also the Rural and Remote Training Weekend for Health Professionals. I am the Head of Course for Allied Health and currently teach research-based units to a variety of allied health disciplines including Occupational Therapy, Paramedicine, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Speech Pathology. I have also previously tutored and lectured for our Exercise Science course.

My research predominantly focuses on exercise / physical activity among pregnant women. This encompasses increasing the knowledge and understanding of exercise during pregnancy among pregnant women and health professionals, developing resources to help guide evidence-based exercise advice in a clinical setting and also trying to improve the exercise behaviours among pregnant women in innovative ways through the use of e- and mHealth technologies. My ultimate goal is to increase the lifestyle behaviours (through physical activity and nutrition) of pregnant women, thus helping to improve the health of the mother and her unborn child and to provide health professional with the necessary education, training and support to engage in evidence-based conversations about exercise with pregnant women.

BHMSc - CQUniversity, Rockhampton

MEd.Practice - Bond University, Gold Coast

PhD - CQUniversity, Rockhampton

CQUniversity, Rockhampton

Bond University, Gold Coast

2015 - 2017 CQUniversity Student Voice Educator of the Year (Commendation)

2015 - 2017 CQUniversity Student Voice Distance Educator of the Year (Commendation)

2017 Australian Universities National 5RP (5 minute research pitch) Competition - NATIONAL OVERALL WINNER

2017 Australian Universities National 5RP (5 minute research pitch) Competition - NATIONAL MEDICAL AND SCIENCES CATEGORY WINNER

2020: https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/general-category/2020-general/mum-keen-to-swap-deskjobs-for-real-rehab-roles

2019 Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pregnancy-fitness/too-few-pregnant-women-get-exercise-advice-from-doctors-study-finds-idUSKBN1W52FM

2018 Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128141649.htm

2017 SoundMinds Radio: http://www.soundminds.com.au/fit4two/

2017 National Science Week Activity Booklet (page 7): http://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/images/documents/chiefscientist/pubs/activity-book-with-answers-2017.pdf

2017 QLD Women in STEM Competition: https://www.thinkable.org/submission_entries/Q3bpAk95

2017 CQUniversity International Women's Day: https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/general-category/2017/melanie-hayman-physical-activity-researcher

2017 CQUniversity International Women's Day: https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/general-category/2017/melanie-hayman-physical-activity-researcher

2017: CQUniversity Celebrating Women in Research: https://twitter.com/CQUni/status/839377736481312768

2016 Australian Universities 5RP Competition - Overall Winner: http://scu.edu.au/research/index.php/142

2016 Australian Universities Vice Chancellor 2RP Competition: https://www.thinkable.org/submission_entries/y3OAey9m

2016 QLD Chief Scientist 'Health of Queensland & Innovation' Report - Feature Article(page 25): http://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/images/documents/chiefscientist/pubs/reviews-audits/health-qld-science-2016.pdf

2016 Sports Medicine Australia 'Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period position statement: http://sma.org.au/2016/09/new-exercise-in-pregnancy-guidelines/

2016 Oxygen Magazine: http://www.oxygenmag.com.au/Blog/tabid/4988/ArticleID/972/EXCERSISING-WHILE-EXPECTING-Your-guide-to-safely-getting-your-sweat-on-while-pregnant-By-Melanie-Hayman.aspx

2015 Sports Medicine Australia 'Exercise during pregnancy' Women in Sport Fact Sheet: https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/research-category/2017/phd-student-instrumental-in-producing-exercise-during-pregnancy-fact-sheet

CQUniversity - Exercise Science

CQUniversity - Health Science (Allied Health)

International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Sports Medicine Australia

Queensland College of Teachers (Fully Registered Senior Teacher)

Fitness Australia

Head of Course (HOC) - Allied Health

Improving the health of pregnant women through physical activity / exercise, sleep and nutrition

Education and training of health professionals in exercise during pregnancy

e- and mHealth technologies

The successful integration of technology- based interventions into a clinical setting within the Healthcare system

Exercise behaviour among pregnant women (vigorous intensity activity, resistance-based training)

Social media influences on the exercise behaviours among pregnant women

2017 Australian Universities National 5RP (5 minute research pitch) Competition - NATIONAL OVERALL WINNER

2017 Australian Universities National 5RP (5 minute research pitch) Competition - NATIONAL MEDICAL AND SCIENCES CATEGORY WINNER

2017 Australian Universities Vice Chancellor 2RM (2 minute research pitch) Pitch competitor - Invited RUN Universities Representative

2017 Women in STEM Nominee

2016 QLD Chief Scientist 'Health of Queensland & Innovation' Report - Feature Article

2016 Invited Keynote speaker for QLD and NSW Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) 'Women's health Professional Development Day'

Fit4Two - a web-based computer tailored program designed to increase the health behaviours among pregnant women through physical activity and nutrition.

2020 Australian Government 'Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period' guidelines - released mid-2020

2016 QLD Chief Scientist 'Health of Queensland & Innovation' Report - Feature Article

2016 Sports Medicine Australia 'Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period' Position Statement - Lead Author

2015 Sports Medicine Australia Women in Sport Fact Sheet Series 'Exercise during pregnancy' - Lead Author

2017 - Currently working with international research team (Professor Michelle Mottola Western University Canada and Associate Professor Christina Campbell Iowa State University USA) on the development of a tailored lifestyle behaviour change intervention for women during pregnancy and postpartum.

2017 - QLD Chief Scientist 'Health of Queensland & Innovation' Science Week Activity Booklet