Healthy Shiftwork - Machine Learning
Description
Productivity losses linked to inadequate sleep and physical inactivity are estimated to cost Australia more than $31 billion annually. Inadequate sleep and physical inactivity are most pronounced among the 3.5 million Australians working non-standard work schedules, including shift work, on-call duties, and gig economy roles.
This project aims to develop a smartphone-enabled digital assistant to optimise sleep and physical activity for Australians working non-standard hours, resulting in critical benefits for workplace productivity and safety. By harnessing advanced machine learning techniques and integrating wearable technology, this project aims to cater specifically to the unpredictable and variable hours of shiftworkers, on-call workers, and gig workers – something current tools do not. The expected outcome is a scalable digital assistant that provides personalised sleep and physical activity advice based on individual work patterns. This project is designed to provide new knowledge on personalised behavioural interventions using machine learning.
Impact
Shiftworkers face unique health challenges due to their non-standard work hours, impacting their sleep, and physical activity. This digital assistant will enable users to optimise their sleep and physical activity according to their work and non-work schedules. Economic and social benefits include more productive and safer workplaces, and this project presents commercial opportunities to adopt this scalable digital assistant across multiple industries.
Partners
Associate Professor Grace Vincent - Project Lead
Grace Vincent is an Associate Professor at CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute. Her mission is to help Australia’s workers get better sleep by collaborating with researchers and industry to create healthier and safer workplaces. This mission is supported by a vibrant and cohesive research team she continues to grow, with shared values of scientific integrity, compassion, mentoring, and collaboration.
Her research program focuses on three key areas: improving sleep and health in workplace settings, understanding how physical activity and diet influence sleep, and developing behavioural interventions to promote better sleep health.
Since she was awarded her PhD from Deakin University in 2016, she has published over 100 publications and secured over $4 million in research funding - including an ARC-DECRA, 2xARC-DP's and an MRFF. She has received more than 25 research awards. Grace is a South Australian Tall Poppy, winner of the Rob Pierce Grant in Aid and Nick Antic Career Development Award, winner of the National 5-Minute Research Pitch Competition and has received the CQUniversity Vice Chancellor’s Award for both Outstanding Early Career and Mid-Career Research. She has supervised programs of research for 12 PhD students, 25 Honours students and 13 summer scholars.
SDG Goals
At CQUniversity we are committed to embedding sustainable practice in our operations, interactions and relationships, underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability is one of our strategic pillars within our Strategic Plan 2019-2023.
This project aligns with the following SDG Goals:
- 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing
