Kai Wheeler

Dr Wheeler is a proud Ngarabal person and Accredited Exercise Scientist (ESSA). Dr Wheeler specilises in implementation science in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Dr Wheeler was the first Aboriginal person to graduate with a PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast. Dr Wheeler's research examines how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can co-design programs that build community capacity and engage children and young peoples in a broad range of development areas. Dr Wheeler's research strengths consist co-designing physical movement-based programs, ensuring a trauma informed and culturally-responsive approach towards community engagement and empowerment. Dr Wheeler has led high performing teams working on education programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through a strength-based and holistic framework. Extending this work, Dr Wheeler's research focuses on developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to better address the complex health needs of community. Dr Wheeler has provided FIrst Nations leadership to a range of projects that have catered for the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and through this experience has partnered to deliver diverse governance solutions and educational engagement frameworks. Dr Wheeler also specialises in biomechanics, sport analytics and performance analysis as well as strength and conditioning research. Dr Wheeler works currently with a range of sporting organisations to implement best-practice sport servicing, testing and athlete management to achieve excellence. Dr Wheeler is the lead researcher in partnership with Indigenous Basketball Australia. Dr Wheeler has worked with a variety of professional sporting organisations and teams such as the Wallabies, Brumbies Rugby and World Rugby as well as the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra Raiders, Canberra Comets, Canberra Meteors and GWS Giants. Dr Wheeler co-design training programs to promote optimal performance in a range of sports. Dr Wheeler is a passionate about how sport and exercise can be used to enrich community as well as health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Dr Wheeler is the Chair of the ESSA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy Working Group for Exercise and Sport Science Australia. Dr Wheeler is the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy for the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences. Dr Wheeler is the Program Convenor for Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences, the University of Queensland. Dr Wheeler was named in the top 52 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people changing the world from COSMOS. Awards: 2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award from the Australian Academy of Science; 2022 LSQ Merck Life Science Rural and Regional Service Award from Life Sciences Queensland; 2020 Accredited Exercise Scientist of the Year Award from Exercise and Sport Science Australia; 2021 Science Peoples Choice Award from National Science Week; 2021 Outreach Award from National Science Week; 2020 Science Leadership Excellence Award from National Science Week; 2017 NAIDOC Award from Fraser Coast NAIDOC Committee Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing; Child development and inclusive sport and exercise systems; Engaging diverse peoples in education; Fundamental movement skills in children; Trauma-informed movement and physical activity; Sport analytics and performance analysis; Biomechanics and movement analysis; Strength and conditioning; Sport coaching and education; Wearable technology in the assessment of human movement; Strategic leadership

[2026] Trauma informed practice in exercise professions. Ike, Grace, Berger, Emily, Cairney, John and Wheeler, Kai W. (2026). Trauma informed practice in exercise professions. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 31 100813, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100813 [2026] The Indigenous Health Research Priorities Study: family research priorities identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland, Australia. Wheeler, Kai, Ahmed, Salma M., Massi, Luciana, Weatherall, Loretta, Smith, Davina, Friday, Rhiannon, Dorey, Emily S., Fredericks, Bronwyn, Toombs, Maree and Rae, Kym M. (2026). The Indigenous Health Research Priorities Study: family research priorities identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland, Australia. BMC Public Health, 26 (