Shauna Burke, PhD

Shauna Burke

Associate Professor and
Faculty Scholar

Room 337, HSB
519 661-2111 x82214
sburke9@uwo.ca
@ShaunaMBurke
Google Scholar

Education

  • MA, PhD (Western University)
  • BKin Hons (McMaster)

Graduate Program Supervision

Research In Profile

Broadly speaking, Professor Burke’s research area is child and adolescent health, with a specific focus on health behaviours, childhood obesity, and group dynamics/social connectedness. In addition to over 100 presentations, workshops, and invited lectures at national and international scientific conferences, Professor Burke has published numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed research articles in the areas of physical activity, group dynamics, and public health. Dr. Burke is also co-author of a widely used Canadian health textbook entitled “Core Concepts in Health”, now in its third edition. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Burke is the Principal Investigator of the “iBelong” program of research, investigating young people’s adherence to public health guidelines, health behaviours, social media use, and perceptions of social connectedness and psychological wellbeing throughout the pandemic. Professor Burke has also received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of her excellence in mentorship and teaching.

Current Grants and Research Projects

  • Burke, S. M., Tucker, P., & Irwin, J. D. (2021-2022). iBelong @ Western: The development, implementation, and evaluation of an evidence-based social media campaign designed to enhance social connectedness among first-year university students. Western Research Knowledge Mobilization Innovation Grant. $7,500.
  • Burke, S. M., Koert van der Linden, N., Donelle, L., Zarbatany, L., Ellis, W., Dumas, T., Irwin, J. D., Tucker, T., Pearson, E., & Gilliland, J. (2020-2021). iBelong2: A multidisciplinary approach to understanding young people's perceptions of physical distancing, social connectedness, and social media use during COVID-19. Western University Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Strategic COVID-19 Research Support. $45,000.
  • Burke, S. M., Donelle, L., Zarbatany, L., Ellis, W., & Dumas, T. (2019-2021). iBelong: Exploring the influence of social networking on university students’ perceptions of “connectedness” and social wellbeing. SSHRC Explore Grant. $7,000.
  • Orchard, T., Mantler, T., & Burke, S. M. (2021-2023). Surviving or thriving?: Exploring how children and caregivers in Ontario cultivate resilience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. SSHRC Insight Development Grant. $56,314.
  • Tam, D., Burke, S. M., Kwok, C. W. R., Kwok, S., Lei, J., Lee, B., Archer-Kuhn, B., Dimitropoulos, G., Kwok, S. M., Samson, P., Zhao, X. (2020-2023). Promising practices for children and youth: A model of Canada-China collaboration. SSHRC Partnership Development Grant $199,590.
  • Tucker, P., Johnson, A., Bruijns, B., Timmons, B., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Adamo, K., Vanderloo, L., Naylor, PJ, Carson, V., Heydon, R. (2019-2023). The impact of an e-learning physical activity module on Early Childhood Education candidates’ self-efficacy and knowledge: The ECE-SE study. SSHRC Insight Grant. $303,509.
  • Mottola, M., Prapavessis, H., Pila, E., Nagamatsu, L., Melling, J., Burke, S. M., Tucker, T., & Thornton, J. (2020-2021). Emerging team initiative to reduce inequities in maternal and child lifestyle health. Interdisciplinary Development Initiative (IDI) Letter of Intent. $25,000.
  • Smith, M., Burke, S. M., Shoemaker, J. K., Skelton, A., & Shelley, J. (2020-2022). Health ethics in space: Toward a research agenda for space bioethics. Western Space Seed Grant Application. Western Institute for Earth and Space Exploration. $29,570.
  • Gilliland, J., Coen, S., Burke, S. M., Canas, E., Cramp, A., Haines-Saah, R., Mackie, C., Price, A., Richmond, C., Spencer, T., & Sukhera, J. (2020-2021). Teens talk vaping: A qualitative integrated knowledge translation study to co-produce vaping research and educational tools with teens. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Catalyst Grant: Health Effects of Vaping). $100,000.

Recent Graduate Student Projects

Professor Burke supervises graduate students in the Health Promotion Field of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS) Program and in the School of Kinesiology at Western University. Master's and doctoral students working under Professor Burke’s supervision — many of whom have received awards and scholarships for their research — typically conduct research in the area(s) of child and adolescent health, health behaviours (e.g., physical activity, nutrition), psychological wellbeing, technology and social media use, and/or group dynamics (e.g., social connectedness).

Current Student Projects

iBelong: A longitudinal examination of public health measure adherence, social and psychological wellbeing, and health behaviours among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Koert van der Linden, Nerida (2019-present). Doctoral Student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Health Promotion); Primary Supervisor.

iBelong @ Western: The development, implementation, and evaluation of an evidence-based social media campaign designed to enhance social connectedness among first-year university students.

  • Vo, Julie (2021-present).  Master's student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Health Promotion); Primary Supervisor.

A cross-sectional examination of internet risks, social media-related adversities, and satisfaction with life among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Omar, Maram (2020-present).  Master's student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Health Promotion); Primary Supervisor.

Previous Student Projects

Parents as agents of change in the treatment of childhood obesity and the promotion of children’s health behaviours.

  • Reilly, Kristen (2014-2018). PhD, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Health Promotion); Primary Supervisor.
  • Recipient of CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral)
  • As part of her doctoral research, Kristen played a lead role in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a parent-focused, community-based childhood obesity intervention entitled “C.H.A.M.P. Families” , which was an extension of Professor Burke and team’s original Children’s Health and Activity Modification Program (“C.H.A.M.P.”).

Social media use, social connectedness, and physical distancing among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Parents as agents of change in the treatment of childhood obesity and the promotion of children’s health behaviours.

  • Holmes, Olivia (2019-2021). MSc Thesis, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Health Promotion); Primary Supervisor. 
  • Recipient of a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship (Master's)
  • Conducted as part of the larger iBelong project, Olivia’s master's thesis consisted of a cross-sectional examination of more than 1,500 university students’ use of social media, feelings about physical distancing, and perceptions of online and offline social connectedness during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada.

Additional Information

Featured Publications/Projects

Visit Google Scholar for a comprehensive list of publications.

Books

  • Irwin, J. D., Burke, S. M., Insel, P. M., & Roth, W. T., (2019). Core concepts in health: Third Canadian edition. Oshawa, ON: McGraw Hill.
  • Insel, P. M., Roth, W. T., Irwin, J. D., & Burke, S. M. (2016). Core concepts in health: Second Canadian edition. Oshawa, ON: McGraw Hill.

Chapters and Entries in Books and Dictionaries

  • Eys, M. A., Burke, S. M., & Beauchamp, M. R. (in press). Team cohesion: Nature, correlates, and development. In S. Jowett, & D. Lavallee (Eds.), Social psychology in sport (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  • Eys, M. A., Burke, S. M., & Evans, B. (2021). The sport team as an effective group. In J. M. Williams & V. Krane (Eds.), Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (8th ed., pp. 122-138). New York:  McGraw-Hill.
  • Burke, S. M., & Eccles, D. W. (2019). Team coordination. In D. Hackfort, R. J. Schinke, and B. Strauss (Eds.) Dictionary of Sport Psychology: Sport, Exercise, and Performing Arts (p. 298). Academic Press: Elsevier Inc.
  • Burke, S. M., & Eccles, D. W. (2019). Team harmony. In D. Hackfort, R. J. Schinke, and B. Strauss (Eds.) Dictionary of Sport Psychology: Sport, Exercise, and Performing Arts (p. 298). Academic Press: Elsevier Inc.
  • Harden, S. M., & Burke, S. M. (2019). Social support in exercise settings (Chapter 28). In M. Anshel, S. Petruzzello, and E. Labbé-Coldsmith (Eds.) APA Handbook of Sport and Exercise Psychology (Volume 2 of 2, Exercise Psychology, pp. 551-567). American Psychological Association.

Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • Shillington, K. J., Vanderloo, L. M., Burke, S. M., Ng, V., Tucker, T., & Irwin, J. D. (2021). Ontario adults’ health behaviors, mental health, and overall well-being during COVID-19. BMC Public Health, 21(1679), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11732-6 
  • Szpunar, M., Driediger, M., Johnson, A. J., Vanderloo, L. M., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Shelley, J., Timmons, B. W., & Tucker, P. (2021). Impact of the childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) policy on young children’s physical activity and sedentary time: A pilot clustered randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 7468. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147468
  • Donelle, L., Facca, D., Burke, S. M., Hiebert, B., Bender, E, & Ling, S. (2021). Exploring Canadian children’s social media use, digital literacy, and quality of life: A pilot study. JMIR Formative Research, 5(5), e18771. doi:10.2196/18771
  • Truelove, S., Bruijns, B. A., Johnson, A. M., Burke, S. M., & Tucker, P. (2021). Factors that influence Canadian generalist and physical education specialist elementary school teachers’ practices in physical education: A qualitative study. Canadian Journal of Education/Revue Canadienne De L’éducation, 44(1), 202-231.
  • Shillington, K. J., Johnson, A. M., Mantler, T., Burke, S. M., & Irwin, J. D. (2021). Kindness as an Intervention for Student Social Interaction Anxiety, Resilience, Affect, and Mood: The KISS of Kindness Study II. Submitted to Journal of Happiness Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00379-0
  • Shillington, K. J., Burke, S. M., Ng, V., Tucker, T., Vanderloo, L. M., & Irwin, J. D. (2021). Not so sweet dreams: Adults' quantity, quality, and disruptions of sleep during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep Medicine, S1389-9457(21)00127-1.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2021.02.028
  • Bruijns, B. A., Johnson, A. M., Irwin, J. D., Burke, S. M., Driediger, M., Vanderloo, L. M., & Tucker, P. (2021). Training may enhance early childhood educators’ self-efficacy to lead physical activity in childcare. BMC Public Health, 21(386), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10400-z
  • Szpunar, M., Johnson, A. M., Driediger, M., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Shelley, J., Timmons, B. W., Vanderloo, L. M. & Tucker, P. (2021, March). Implementation adherence and perspectives of the Childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) Policy: A process evaluation. Health Education & Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198121996285
  • Karmali, S., Battram, D. S., Burke, S. M., Cramp, A., Johnson, A. M., Mantler, T., Morrow, D., Ng, V., Pearson, E. S., Petrella, R. J., Tucker, P., & Irwin, J. D. (2020, September). Perspectives and impact of a parent-child intervention on dietary intake and physical activity behaviours, parental motivation, and parental body composition: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6822. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186822.
  • Bruijns, B. A., Adamo, K. B., Burke, S. M., Carson, V., Irwin, J. D., Naylor, P. J., Timmons, B. W., Vanderloo, L. M., & Tucker, P. (2020). Early childhood education candidates' perspectives of their importance and responsibility for promoting physical activity and minimizing screen-viewing opportunities in childcare. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10901027.2020.1818651
  • Karmali, S., Battram, D. S., Burke, S. M., Cramp, A., Mantler, T., Morrow, D., Ng, V., Pearson, E. S., Petrella, R., Tucker, P., & Irwin, J. D. (2020). Clients' and coaches' perspectives of a life coaching intervention for parents with overweight/obesity. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 18(2), 115-132. doi: 10.24384/2wjj-py19
  • Coughler, C., Burke, S. M., & Cardy, J. O. (2020). Analysis of the quality of online resources for parents of children who are late to talk. Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 5, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F239694152091794
  • Truelove, S., Johnson, A. M., Burke, S. M., & Tucker, P. (2019). Comparing generalist and specialist elementary school teachers’ self-efficacy and barriers related to physical education instruction. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, (ahead of print), 1-11. doi: 10.1123/jtpe.2019-0091
  • Tucker, P., Driediger, M., Vanderloo, L. M., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Johnson, A. M., Shelley, J., & Timmons, B. W. (2019). Exploring the feasibility and effectiveness of a childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) Policy: Rationale and protocol for a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(22), E4400. doi:10.3390/ijerph16224400
  • Driediger, M., Truelove, S., Johnson, A. M., Vanderloo, L. M., Timmons, B. W., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., & Tucker, P. (2019). The impact of shorter, more frequent outdoor play periods on preschoolers’ physical activity during childcare: A cluster randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(21), E4126. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16214126.
  • Moulin, M. S., Truelove, S., Burke, S. M., & Irwin, J. D. (2019). Sedentary time among undergraduate students: A systematic review Journal of American College Health, 1-8. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1661422
  • Reilly, K. C., Briatico, D., Irwin, J. D., Tucker, P., Pearson, E. S., & Burke, S. M. (2019). Participants’ perceptions of “C.H.A.M.P. Families”: A parent-focused intervention targeting paediatric overweight and obesity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Special Issue "Health Promotion: Physical Activity and Nutrition Behaviors in Children and Youth"), 16(12), 2171
  • Karmali, S., Ng, V., Battram, D., Burke, S. M., Morrow, D., Pearson, E. S., Tucker, P., Mantler, T., Cramp, A., Petrella, R., & Irwin, J. D. (2019). Coaching and/or education intervention for parents with overweight/obesity and their children: Study protocol of a single-centre randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 19, 345 (12 pages). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6640-5
  • Bruijns, B. A., Adamo, K. B., Burke, S. M., Carson, V, Irwin, J. D., Naylor, P. J., Timmons, B. W., Vanderloo, L. M., & Tucker, P. (2019). Exploring the physical activity and screen-viewing-related knowledge, training, and self-efficacy of early childhood education candidates. BMC Pediatrics, 19(5), 1-13.
  • Reilly, K. C., Tucker, P., Irwin, J. D., Johnson, A. M., Pearson, E. S., Bock, D. E., & Burke, S. M. (2018). “C.H.A.M.P. Families”: Description and theoretical foundations of a paediatric obesity intervention targeting parents – a single-centre non-randomized feasibility study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Special Issue "Recent Advances of Adolescents and Children Health Research"), 15(12), 2858. doi:10.3390/ijerph15122858.
  • Tomasone, J. R., Flood, S. M., Ma, J. K., Scime, N. V., Burke, S. M., Sleeth, L., Marrocco, S., & The SCIRE Research Team (2018). Physical activity self-management interventions for adults with spinal cord injury: Part 1 – Use and effectiveness of behavior change techniques. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 37, 274-285.
  • Burke, S. M., Tomasone, J. R., Scime, N. V., Ma, J. K., Harden, S. M., Wolfe, D., & The SCIRE Research Team (2018). Physical activity self-management interventions for adults with spinal cord injury: Part 2 – Exploring the generalizability of findings from research to practice. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 37, 286-295.
  • Driediger, M., Vanderloo, L. M., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Gaston, A, Timmons, B. W., Johnson, A. M., & Tucker, P. (2018). The implementation and feasibility of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention: A process evaluation. Health Education and Behavior, 45(6), 935-944. doi.org/10.1177%2F1090198118775489.
  • Johnson, A. M., Jiminez-Pardo, J., Jenkins, M. E., Holmes, J. D., & Burke, S. M. (2018). Self-reported physical activity among individuals with Parkinson's disease. SAGE Open, 8(2), 2158244018778096. doi: 10.1177/2158244018778096
  • Truelove, S., Johnson, A. M., Vanderloo, L. M., Driediger, M., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Timmons, B. W., Gaston, A., & Tucker. P. (2018). Preschoolers’ health-related quality of life following the implementation of a childcare physical activity intervention. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 43(5), 453-459. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2017-0396
  • Scime, N. V., & Burke, S. M. (2018). Environmental scan of breastfeeding resources in Canadian NICUs. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, 42(2), 202-213. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2017.12.005. Epub 2018 Feb 7.
  • Tucker, P., Vanderloo, L. M., Johnson, A. M., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Gaston, A., Driediger, M., & Timmons, B. W. (2017). Impact of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention on preschoolers’ physical activity levels and sedentary time: A single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14, 120.
  • Orr, L., Klement, K. A., McCrossin, L., O’Sullivan Drombolis, D., Houghton, P. E., Spaulding, S., & Burke, S. M. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise intervention for the treatment of calf muscle pump impairment in individuals with chronic venous insufficiency. Ostomy Wound Management, 63(8), 30-43. doi: 10.25270/owm.2018.08.3043
  • Gavarkovs, A. G., Burke, S. M., & Petrella, R. J. (2017). The physical activity-related barriers and facilitators perceived by men living in rural communities. American Journal of Men’s Health, 11(4), 1130-1132. [published online July 31, 2015]. doi: 10.1177/1557988315598368
  • Jacobs, J. C., Yaquin, E., Burke, S. M., Rouse, M., & Zaric, G. (2017). The economic impact of workplace wellness programmes in Canada. Occupational Medicine, 67(6), 429-434. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqx075

Academic Appointments and Research Affiliations

  • Field Leader, Health Promotion Field, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program
  • Scientist, Children's Health Research Institute
  • Associate Scientist, Lawson Health Research Institute
  • Member, Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration, Western University
  • Principal investigator of the Children's Health and Activity Modification Program (“C.H.A.M.P.”) and “C.H.A.M.P. Families” programs of research
    • Family-based interventions targeting childhood obesity in the London, Ontario community.
  • Principal investigator of the iBelong program of research
    • An exploration of public health measure adherence/attitudes, social connectedness, social media use, and health and wellbeing among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Teaching Areas

  • Personal Determinants of Health
  • Child and Youth Health
  • Fundamentals of Academic Communication in the Health Sciences

Awards

  • Western University Faculty Scholar Award (2020-2022)
  • Nominee, Western University Edward G. Pleva Award for Excellence in Teaching (2020)
  • Faculty of Health Sciences Teaching Award of Excellence for Full-Time Faculty (2020)
  • Nominee, Western University Students' Council Award of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2019)
  • Canadian Obesity Network Students and New Professionals (CON-SNP) Faculty Supervisor Award (2017)
    • Recognizes a faculty member who excels in nurturing trainee research development in his/her discipline and exhibits a passion for mentoring students
  • Western University Marilyn Robinson Award for Excellence in Teaching (2016)
  • Faculty of Health Sciences Top 10% Instructor Award (2015)
  • Faculty of Health Sciences Recognition of Achievement for outstanding contributions to teaching (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019)

Professional Activities

  • Invited Member, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) College of Reviewers
  • Guest Editor, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
  • Member of various national and international academic and professional societies (e.g., Obesity Canada, International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity)
  • Manuscript reviewer for several high-impact peer-reviewed academic journals (e.g., Pediatric Obesity, BMC Public Health, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, etc.)
  • Elected Senator, Faculty of Health Sciences (2018-present)
  • Member of five Western University Senate Subcommittees