PhD student profile

About Anna’s research

This PhD project will enhance the understanding of active school transport (i.e. walking or riding bikes or scooters to/from school) by updating and expanding upon key metrics from the 2005 Perth-based “TRansport Environment and Kids” (TREK) Study.

The original TREK Study analysed the walkability of all government primary schools in Perth in 2005 and investigated latent demand for active school transport as well as the individual, social and environmental factors associated with active school transport among primary school students and parents/carers.

Termed the “TREK2School Study”, this PhD will replicate the 2005 TREK Study and broaden its scope to include primary, secondary and K-12 government and non-government schools. By comparing latent demand for active school transport and associated individual, social, and environmental factors for primary students from 2005 to 2023, this research will contribute significantly to the active school transport field. To our knowledge, no previous studies, either nationally or internationally, have comprehensively compared these metrics over time.

TREK2School project overview

What questions will the research answer?

The overarching research questions that this PhD addresses are:

• How walkable is the immediate environment surrounding all Perth schools (n=655) in 2021 and how does it differ by SES and school type (i.e. government, non-government, primary, secondary and K-12)?
• What are primary and secondary school-aged children’s latent demand for active school transport and parental/child safety concerns regarding active school transport in high and low walkable schools?

Why is this work important?

Active school transport has been declining in Australia over the past 40 years. An estimated 1 in 4 students in Perth walk or cycle to school regularly. As costs associated with car travel to school in Perth account for over $186 million annually, addressing this decline is critical¹. Encouraging active transportation is crucial due to its health and environmental benefits.

Walking and cycling enhance children’s social, mental, and physical well-being, while also reducing carbon emissions. Despite being the most environmentally friendly options, walking and cycling often take a backseat to more flashy technologies. As we move into a future with increasing health and climate change concerns, it is imperative that we work towards making walking and cycling to school safer and easier for kids.

The insights from the TREK2School Study will guide the WA Department of Transport and other stakeholders in shaping policies and targeted efforts to boost active school transport in Perth. With the expected 22% increase in Perth’s school-aged population¹, establishing a baseline now will be crucial for shaping Perth as a more connected and liveable city. On a more global scale, the findings will be relevant for future research and interventions in other cities nationally and internationally.

Footnote 1 reference: WA Department of Transport. Discussion paper: the declining rate of active travel to school in Perth

What drew you to this work?

After studying Sustainable Development during her undergraduate degree, Anna worked for the US National Park Service. Her role was to liaise between the local healthcare provider and the park through a partnership designed to re-orient park trails and cycle paths as important resources for mental and physical health.

She also organised and led educational experiences for disadvantaged groups of kids, many of whom had never left their urban neighbourhoods. These experiences fuelled Anna’s passion for understanding the relationships people, in particular kids, have with their built and natural surroundings from a scientific perspective. Anna wanted to further explore how these environments are associated with people’s health.

Her curiosity led on to a Masters of Science at Cornell University in the Department of Human Centered Design, where she conducted a research project about how kids spending time in parks can have positive mental and social health impacts.

Anna’s prior experience in behavioural research and collaborating with schools proved to be a perfect fit for the TREK2School Study. It allowed her to use her research and stakeholder engagement skills to work towards understanding student experiences en route to and from school. The field of active transport seamlessly links her blend of skills in health, urban design, and sustainability.

Results so far

A summary report of the findings associated with the TREK2School Study will be available by mid-2024. Stay tuned for updates on progress through the TRavel, Environment and Kids (TREK) Study: 15 years on project page.

Reflections on her PhD

Anna’s journey through the PhD program has been a continual learning curve. Coordinating the TREK2School Study has provided an incredible opportunity to develop and refine her project management skills.

This encompassed tasks such as securing participation from 32 schools, engaging with over 2,000 students and parents, and conducting surveys throughout all participating schools. Managing the project also enhanced Anna’s ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including schools, government organisations, and parents, all of whom hold distinct interests in active school transport.

She has enjoyed identifying how the project will benefit each of these groups differently and then communicating in a way that speaks to each group’s own perspectives. Throughout the PhD, Anna embraced the need to adapt to shifting circumstances while upholding the project’s integrity and overarching goals.

This journey posed various challenges, notably navigating the unforeseen impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, managing shortages in school staff, and contending with unanticipated delays in approvals. Anna’s capacity for creative problem-solving and proactive initiative proved crucial in addressing each challenge effectively.

A word from Dr Gina Tripp, PhD supervisor

Why is this PhD topic important to investigate?

This PhD embodies the essence of applied research. As active school transport sees a downturn in Perth and other Australian cities, it’s crucial to develop a solid foundation of evidence to craft specific strategies to counteract this trend. Collaborating closely with the Department of Transport ensures that the research goals are in sync with the broader governmental vision of boosting active school transport.

Such synergy guarantees that the study’s outcomes will directly inform and shape evidence-driven policies and decisions, evident in frameworks like the Liveable Neighbourhood Guidelines and school location guidelines. The TREK2School Study promises to bridge notable knowledge gaps regarding active school transport in Perth, especially concerning secondary school students.

While the study is based in Perth, its findings can have implications for cities worldwide. Urban centres globally grapple with similar challenges related to transportation, health, and sustainability. Thus, insights from the TREK2School Study can offer valuable lessons for other regions aiming to promote active school transport.

In summary, the TREK2School Study is not just an academic exercise but a timely and relevant investigation with the potential to influence urban planning, public health policies, and environmental strategies for years to come.

What are the major challenges to overcome in the field?

Promoting active school transport in evolving urban landscapes like Perth presents a myriad of challenges. As cities expand, the increasing distances between homes and schools, coupled with safety concerns related to traffic and personal security, often deter parents from allowing their children to engage in active school transport. The convenience of motorised transport, driven by changing societal norms, further exacerbates the decline in active school transport ‘s popularity.

Moreover, many areas still lack the necessary infrastructure, such as dedicated walking paths and bike lanes, to ensure safe and efficient active school transport. Effective promotion of active school transport demands a collaborative approach, bridging sectors like education, transport, urban planning, and health, which can be complex due to differing objectives and priorities.

The TREK2School Study underscores significant data gaps in our understanding of active school transport dynamics, especially among varied age groups and school types. Environmental factors, such as weather and air quality, further complicate the active school transport landscape.

While the long-term benefits of active school transport, including health improvements and traffic management cost savings, are evident, the initial investments in research, infrastructure, and awareness campaigns pose economic challenges that need addressing.

Where might this work lead in the near (and far) future?

The TREK2School Study, with its comprehensive approach to understanding active school transport dynamics in Perth, holds significant promise for both the near and distant future. In the immediate term, the findings can directly inform local policy decisions, leading to the implementation of targeted interventions that address the current decline in active school transport. This might include the development of safer pedestrian pathways, enhanced public awareness campaigns, or school-based initiatives that encourage walking and cycling.

Furthermore, by collaborating with the Department of Transport and aligning with government strategies, there’s potential for immediate integration of the study’s findings into urban planning frameworks, such as the Liveable Neighbourhood Guidelines. This could lead to more pedestrian-friendly urban designs, better-situated schools, and improved infrastructure that supports active school transport.

Looking further ahead, the TREK2School Study could serve as a blueprint for other cities, both nationally and internationally, grappling with similar challenges. As urban centres globally face issues related to transportation, health, and sustainability, the insights from this research can offer valuable lessons, potentially influencing urban planning and public health policies on a broader scale.

Moreover, as the importance of environmental sustainability continues to grow, cities might look to promote active school transport not just for health benefits, but also as a strategy to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion. The data and methodologies from the TREK2School Study could be foundational in developing such strategies.

Lastly, in the distant future, as technology evolves and the dynamics of transportation change (e.g., with the rise of autonomous vehicles or advanced public transport systems), the foundational knowledge from this study can help ensure that active school transport remains a prioritised and integral part of urban life, balancing technological advancements with human-centric needs and environmental considerations.

Reports/journal articles

• Parnell SA, Trapp GSA, Mandzufas J, Howard J, Gannett A. A massive hit that targets kids quite a bit: where and how Australian school children see energy drinks, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 2022.
• Gannett A, Hooper P, Saunders J, Trapp GSA. TREK2School: The walkability of schools located in the Perth Metropolitan Area: preliminary findings report, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 2022.
• Gannett A, Hooper P, Saunders J, Trapp GSA. TREK2School: A review of the international scientific literature on active school transport interventions, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 2022.
• Gannett A, Hooper P, Saunders J, Trapp GSA. Project Plan – TREK2School: Creating an evidence base to inform targeted interventions to increase active school transport in primary and secondary school students in Perth, Western Australia, March 2022.

Conference presentations

• Gannett, A. (presenting author), Hooper, P., Saunders, J., Trapp, G. ‘Inequitable Distribution of Walkability Surrounding Schools in Perth, Western Australia’, Livable Cities Conference, 14-16 June 2023, New York, USA.
• Gannett, A. (presenting author), Mandzufas, J., Hooper, P., Saunders, J., Trapp, GSA. “Investigating the walkability of primary, secondary and K-12 schools across metropolitan Perth, Western Australia.” Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity Conference, Melbourne, November 28-29, 2022.
• Gannett, A. (presenting author), Reid, N., Hickling, S., Bivoltsis, A., Mandzufas, J., Trapp, GSA. “Nutritional quality of children’s menus in full-service restaurants: does cuisine type matter?” Nutrition Society of Australia Scientific Meeting 2022, Perth, November 29 – December 2, 2022.

Contact Anna Gannett

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