Associate ProfessorMardie Townsend

Associate Professor Townsend is involved, in collaboration with Parks Victoria
and other partner organisations, in investigating the benefits of contact with
nature
for human health and wellbeing. Current and recent research includes: an
investigation of health and wellbeing outcomes of differing levels of access
to
nature for residents of high-rise housing; a study of mental health benefits
of
hands-on nature based activities in primary schools; a nature based
intervention
program for people suffering depression, anxiety and/or social isolation; an
assessment of health benefits of a visiting companion animal program in an
acute
care hospital; several projects exploring the health and wellbeing outcomes of
bush adventure therapy programs in Australia; several projects exploring the
benefits of environmental volunteering; and a project assessing the valuing
and
use of parks in high and low SES areas.
Other recent research undertaken by Associate Professor Townsend has included:
several studies of the use of parks and open spaces; a study of the cumulative
impacts of policy change on two small Victorian rural communities; a study for
the UK Housing Corporation on the housing needs and aspirations of British
women between 2000 and 2020; and a study of the role of physical activity and
sport in building social capital in rural communities.

Projects
Associate Professor Townsend is involved in a range of School, Faculty and
University committees:
She is a member of the following Deakin committees and groups:
Deakin University Environmental Policy Sub Committee
School of Health and Social Development School Board
She is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the journal EcoHealth, and
regularly reviews articles for the following journals: Health Promotion
International, International Journal of Consumer Studies, American Journal of
Preventive Medicine, Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, and Urban
Forestry and Urban Greening.