Grace Vincent

Grace E Vincent is an associate professor, sleep and shiftwork researcher, and science communicator at CQ University's Appleton Institute.^[1][2] Vincent's research focuses on improving sleep health among workers through collaborative efforts with academic researchers and industry partners. Her work aims to develop evidence-based strategies that support healthier and safer workplace environments.^[3]

Vincent has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Auckland, and a PhD from Deakin University in 2015.^[4] Since her graduation, Vincent has worked in various roles including workplace fatigue consultancy, and as a researcher, and lecturer.^[4] Vincent joined CQ University^[4] in Australia in 2016.

Her research focus includes sleep, particularly of shift workers in high-risk industries, including miners, doctors, nurses and fire fighters, and physical activity, Her research focuses on sleep, especially for shift workers in high-risk jobs like miners, doctors, nurses, and firefighters. She also studies how physical activity, health, safety, and performance are affected by shift work in these demanding roles.^[5] This inspired her research into sleep and fatigue and impacts of firefighting.^[6]

Vincent's research focuses on three key areas: improving sleep and health in workplace settings,^[2][7] understanding how physical activity and diet influence sleep, and developing behavioural interventions to promote better sleep health.^[4] Vincent's research has informed governmental and organisational policies and frameworks, both nationally and internationally. Vincent co-ordinated a program of work uniting 68 international shiftwork experts across 15 countries to create tailored sleep hygiene practice guidelines for shift workers.^[8]

Vincent also co-authored two Australian Government Guidelines for managing fatigue and sleep in the workplace,^[9] for the National Mental Health Commission and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance.^[10] Vincent has also led two key projects with Carers Australia culminating in an online sleep improvement course for Australia's 2.6 million caregivers,^[11] which was adopted as a standard resource by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.^[12]

Vincent was also the founding chair of the Network of Early Career Sleep Researchers in Training,^[13] the second largest council of the Australasian Sleep Association.^[14]

Vincent has published more than 100 publications^{[15] [16]} and over 2800 citations, as of March 2025, and an h-index of 31, according to Google Scholar.^[17]

Select peer-reviewed publications include:

• Shriane A, Rigney G, Ferguson SA, Bin Y, Vincent GE. (2023). Sleep. Healthy sleep practices for shiftworkers: consensus sleep hygiene guidelines using a Delphi methodology.^[18] 46, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsad182
• Vincent GE, Aisbett B, Hall SJ, Ferguson SA. (2015). Fighting fire and fatigue: sleep quantity and quality during multi-day wildfire suppression. Ergonomics, 59(7), 932–940.^[19] http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2015.1105389
• Dawson, D, Ferguson, S.A., & Vincent, G.E.(2020). Safety implications of fatigue and sleep inertia for emergency services personnel. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 55, 101386.^[20] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101386
• Binks H, Vincent GE, Gupta C, Irwin C, Khalesi S. (2020). Effects of diet on sleep: a narrative review. Nutrients. 12(4):1-18.^[21] http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12040936
• Memon A, Gupta C, Crowther ME, Ferguson SA, Tuckwell GA, Vincent GE. (2021). Sleep and physical activity in university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 58:1–19, 101482.^[22] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101482

Vincent has contributed to the media, on various topics including the impacts of shift work, to the ABC in print, radio, and on television.^[23][24][25] She also has published on sleep quality and influences on sleep,^[26] in The Conversation,^[27][28] as well as describing sleep hygiene in various publications in Australian newspapers, including The Age,^[29] Sydney Morning Herald^[30] and Brisbane Times.^[31]

• 2018 – Rob Pierce Grant in Aid Award Winner, Australasian Sleep Association.^[32]
• 2019 – CQ Vice Chancellor's Award for Outstanding ECRs.^[33]
• 2020 – National 5-Minute Research Pitch Competition Winner.
• 2020 – South Australian Tall Poppy Award Winner.^[34]

• 2022 – International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Young Investigator Award 2021.^[35]

• 2023 – Nick Antic Career Development Award Winner, Australasian Sleep Association.^[36]