Alexandra (Alex) Parker is the Professor of Physical Activity and Mental Health at the Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. Alex leads a multidisciplinary research program that engages in projects aiming to measure, understand, and promote exercise and physical activity to optimise mental wellbeing and prevent and treat mental illness. Her major research interests are investigating the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in clinical settings, translating research findings into practice through workforce development and implementation studies, and the mental health and wellbeing of elite athletes. Alex is the Chief Investigator on a NHMRC project grant multi-site cluster-RCT, examining the effectiveness of integrating a physical activity behaviour change intervention into routine clinical care for young people with depression. Her physical activity behaviour change intervention was translated and implemented within headspace centres (national youth mental health services), with an evaluation of the impact demonstrating significant improvements in the mental health and functioning of young people receiving the treatment. Alex also works as a sessional clinical psychologist in youth mental health services.
