Marc Mitchell, PhD

Assistant Professor

Room 4147, Thames Hall
519 661-2111 x87936
marc.mitchell@uwo.ca 
@marcmitch_phd
LinkedIn
Google Scholar
ORCID: 000-0002-2772-9614

Education

  • PhD (Toronto)
  • MSc (Victoria)
  • BSc/BPHE (Queen's)

Graduate Program Supervision

  • Psychological Basis of Kinesiology MA | PhD
  • Integrative Biosciences MSc | PhD

Research In Profile

My research program spans across the broader study of behavioural science and digital health. Much of my research has been in response to calls from government and industry to incorporate digital solutions as part of a broad “system-based” approach to promoting health behaviours (e.g., physical activity) and reducing the burden of preventable diseases. My research focuses on combining insights from behavioural science and behavioural economics (collectively ‘behavioural insights’, or BI) with scalable technologies and strategic partnerships to improve the health of populations.

Featured Publications and Projects

Chapters

  • Rondina, R. and M. Mitchell (2022). Wellness Rewarded: A “how to” on designing behavioral-science informed financial health incentives In: D. Soman and N. Mazar (Eds), Behavioural Science in the Wild (P. 219-229). University of Toronto Press.

Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • Mitchell, M, Orstad, S, Biswas, A, Oh, P, Jay, M, Pakosh, M & G. Faulkner. (2019). Financial incentives and physical activity in adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 54: 1259-1268.
  • Mitchell, M., Lau, E., White, L. & G. Faulkner. (2019). Commercial app use linked with sustained physical activity in two Canadian provinces: a 12-month quasi-experimental study. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. 17 (24): 1-9.
  • Pearson, E., Prapavessis, H., Higgins, C., Petrella, R. & M. Mitchell. (2020). Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: A 24-week matched case-control study. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. 17 (139): 1-10.
  • Rondina, R., Hong, M., Sarma, S. & M. Mitchell. (2021). Is it worth it? Cost-effectiveness analysis of a commercial physical activity app. BMC Public Health. 21 (1950), 1-10.
  • Biswas, A, Oh, P, Faulkner, G, Bajaj, A, Silver, B, Mitchell, MS & D. Alter. (2015). Sedentary Time and Its Independent Risk on Disease Incidence, Mortality and Hospitalization in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine. 162(2), 123-132.

Visit Google Scholar for a comprehensive list of publications.

Current Grants and Research Projects

  • Research Partnership with Caterpillar Health Inc. Funding led by Jensen Fund Partners LLP. Evaluation funded by Western Strategic Support for CIHR Success (Seed).
    • Project title: Quasi-experimental evaluation of the incentive-based Caterpillar mHealth app
  • Research Partnership with Telus Health Inc. (formerly Sprout Wellness Solutions Inc.). Evaluation funded by SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant.
    • Project title: The Behavioural Economics for Engagement ('BEE’) Study: Applying behavioural economics in the examination and promotion of physical activity app engagement
  • Research Partnership with Abbot Inc. Funded by Abbot Inc.
    • Project title: The ‘LIBERATE’ Study: Examining virtual group-based diabetes self-management programming: A pilot randomized trial
  • Research Partnership with WayBetter Inc. Funding pending (SSHRC Partnership Development Grant).
    • Project title: Walkin’ Wager: Applying behavioural economics in the examination and promotion of physical activity app engagement

Featured Graduate Student Projects

Examining mobile health app engagement in a North American employee population: A one-year longitudinal observational study

  • Ratanshi, Nabil (2022). MSc, Kinesiology.

Examining the feasibility of delivering a multi-component virtual lifestyle medicine program for adults with type 2 diabetes

  • Hiemstra, Madison (2021). MSc, Kinesiology.

Examining the impact of financial incentive removal on physical activity: A quasi-experimental study of 584,760 mobile health application users

  • Spilsbury, Sean (2021). MA, Kinesiology.

Optimizing the Carrot Rewards app: An examination of team-based financial incentives to increase walking

  • Pearson, Emam (2019). MSc, Kinesiology.

Visit Scholarship@Western for a list of completed student theses and dissertations in the repository.

Graduate Student Opportunities

Prospective graduate students intersted in training opportunities with Professor Mitchell should reach out via email at marc.mitchell@uwo.ca

Additional Information

Media Highlights

Awards

  • Top 10% Ranking for Teaching Excellence (Western University, Faculty of Health Sciences)
  • Edge of Government Award, World Government Summit (Carrot Insights Inc.)
  • Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Award (Partnerships; Carrot Insights Inc. runner-up)
  • ‘Best Canadian App’ (Mobile Syrup; Carrot Insights Inc.)
  • ‘Top 10’ Abstract (Society of Behavioural Medicine Conference)
  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship (CIHR)
  • Doctoral Research Award (CIHR)
  • Strategic Training Program in Public Health Policy Fellowship (CIHR)
  • Academic All-Canadian (CIS Men’s Football)

Professional Activities

  • Principal Advisor, Behavioural Insights, Caterpillar Health Inc.
  • Registered Kinesiologist, College of Kinesiologists of Ontario
  • Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist, American College of Sports Medicine