Contact
Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health
School of Public Health
- avis@ualberta.ca
Overview
Area of Study / Keywords
health system planning health policy knowledge translation mixed methods research
About
I am passionate about applying innovative approaches and behavioral science theory to promote positive health behaviors, particularly in areas like children’s lifestyle habits. I’m especially interested in behavioral economics, including nudge theory, as a tool to improve health outcomes.
My background includes health system planning, with a focus on maternity care in rural Alberta, and public opinion research during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve worked with various research methods, including focus groups, mixed methods, and randomized controlled trials. Currently, I work in government relations for a home and community care service provider, helping connect policy with practice to support high-quality care to support aging in place.
I’m committed to evidence-informed policy, especially at the provincial level, and value collaboration with both academic and government partners to support effective knowledge translation.
Announcements
Currently accepting practicum students.
Featured Publications
Weight… Up? Examining changes in children’s weights from referral to clinical presentation for pediatric weight management
Byrne J, O’Connor K, Peng C, Morash C, Ball G.
Paed Child Health. 2018 January; 23 (6):377-82
Registration status and methodological reporting of randomized controlled trials in obesity research: a review
Byrne J, Yee T, O’Connor K, Dyson M, Ball G
Obesity. 2017 January; 25 (4):665-70
A brief eHealth tool delivered in primary care to help parents prevent childhood obesity: a randomized controlled trial.
Byrne J, Wild T, Maximova K, Browne N, Holt N, Cave A, Martz P, Ellendt C, Ball G.
Pediatr Obes. 2016 January; 13 (11):659-67
Tools and resources for preventing childhood obesity in primary care: a method of evaluation and preliminary assessment
Avis J*, Komarnicki A, Farmer A, Holt N, Perez A, Spence N, Ball G
Patient Educ Couns. 2016 January; 99 (5):769-75
Lessons learned from using focus groups to refine digital interventions
Avis J*, van Mierlo T, Fournier R, Ball G
JMIR Res Protoc. 2015 January; 4 (3):e95