Professor Rob Donovan

Professor of Behavioural Research, Faculty of Health Sciences
Professor of Social Marketing, School of Marketing

BPsych (Hons) (UWA) PhD (UWA)

Rob Donovan is the former Director of the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control and continues work at the Centre on a part-time basis. He is currently Professor of Behavioural Research in the Division of Health Sciences, and Professor of Social Marketing and Director of the Social Marketing Research Unit in the School of Marketing in the Curtin Business School. Professor Donovan has held overseas academic positions in Marketing at Pace University, New York University, and the University of Georgia, and has been a Visiting Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. He has also had extensive commercial experience in marketing and advertising and founded Donovan Research, a social and market research consultancy which was recognised as one of Australia's leading market research companies prior to its incorporation into first the NFO Worldwide Group and then the TNS Research Group.

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Research Interests

• Lifestyle factors related to cancer prevention
• Media effects
• Indigenous issues
• Doping in sport
• Domestic violence

Professional Interests

• Australian Health Promotion Association
• Public Health Association of Australia
• Australian Psychological Society

Current Professional Contributions

• National Expert Advisory Committee on Tobacco, Foundation member.
• Advisory Committee, Domestic Violence Prevention Campaign, Womens Policy Office, WA
• Ethics and Education Committee, World Anti Doping Agency, IOC
• Education Committee, Cancer Foundation of WA
  

Reports (recent)

1. Donovan, R.J. & Vlais, R. (2006) A review of communication components of anti-racism and pro-diversity social marketing / public education campaigns. Report to VicHealth, Melbourne, Australia. [link]
2. Donovan, R.J. & Vlais, R. (2005) Review of Communication Components of Social Marketing/Public Education Campaigns Focusing on Violence Against Women. Report to VicHealth, Melbourne, Australia. [link]

Books and Chapters (recent)

1. Donovan, R.J. Western Australia's Freedom From Fear Campaign: Segmentation and Targeting. In: Kotler, P., & Lee, N. Social Marketing: Improving the Quality of Life. Sage, in press.

2. Donovan, R.J. Towards an understanding of factors influencing athletes' attitudes towards performance enhancing technologies: implications for ethics education. In: Murray, T., Wasunna, P. & Maschke, K. (Eds). Enhancing technologies in sport: Ethical, Conceptual and Scientific issues. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, p.283-317, in press.

3. Donovan, R.J. & Egger, G. Mental Healthiness: The Flip Side of S-AD. In: Egger, G., Binns, A. & Rossner, S. (Eds) Lifestyle Medicine, Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

4. Henley, N., Donovan, R.J., Francas, M. Developing and implementing communication messages. In: Doll, L.S., Bonzo, S.E., Sleet, D.A. & Mercy, J.A., Handbook on Injury and Violence Prevention Intervention, New York: Springer, 2007, pp.433-448.

5. Donovan, R.J., James, R. & Jalleh, G. Community-based social marketing to promote positive mental health: the Act-Belong-Commit campaign in rural Western Australia. In: Hastings, G. Social Marketing, Oxford: Elsevier, 2007, pp.336-343.

6. Egger, G., Spark, R. & Donovan, R.J. Health Promotion Strategies and Methods, 2nd ed. Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2004.

7. Donovan, R.J. & Jalleh, G. Tracking the 2000 national tobacco campaign. In: Australia 's National Tobacco Campaign: Evaluation Report Volume Three. Canberra: Comonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, 2004.

8. Donovan, R.J. Communication for change. In: Moodie, R. & Hulme, A. (eds) Hands-on Health Promotion, Victoria: IP Communications, 2004.

9. Donovan, R.J. Targeting audiences and target behaviors. In: ABC of Behaviour Change. Sydney: Elsevier, 2004.

10. Donovan, R.J., Paterson, D. & Francas, M. Case Study 10: Freedom From Fear. In: McColl-Kennedy JR (Ed). Marketing: A managerial approach. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons, 2003.

11. Donovan, R.J. & Henley, N. Social Marketing: Principles and Practices. IP Publishing, 2003. [review]

12. Donovan, R.J., & Rossiter, J.R. Social Marketing Communications and the Rossiter-Percy Model, (in) Bartels, G. & Nelissen, W. (eds) Marketing for Sustainability, Amsterdam: IOS Press, 2002.

Refereed Journal Articles (last five years)

1. Carter, O., Mills, B. & Donovan, R. (2009) The effect of retail cigarette pack displays on unplanned purchases: results from immediate post-purchase interviews, Tobacco Control, 18, 218-221. [link]
2. Donovan, R.J., Jalleh, G., Fielder, L. & Ouschan, R. (2009) Ethical issues in pro-social advertising: the Australian 2006 White Ribbon Day campaign, Journal of Public Affairs, 9, 5-19.
3. Jalleh, G., Donovan, R.J., Slevin, T. & Lin, C. (2009) Efficacy of Breast Cancer Appeals for Promoting Physical Activity, Journal of Cancer Education, 24, 33-35. [booklet used in the experiment]
4. Jalleh, G., Donovan, R.J., Lin, C. & Slevin, T.  (2008) Changing cancer risk perceptions of solaria: The role of the media, Medical Journal of Australia, 188(12), 735.
5. Donovan, R.J., Jalleh, G., Fielder, L. & Ouschan, R. (2008) When confrontational images may be counter productive: reinforcing the case for pre-testing communications in sensitive areas. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 19(2), 132-136.
6. Donovan, R.J., Henley, N., Jalleh, G., Silburn, S.R., Zubrick, S.R. & Williams, A. (2007) People’s beliefs about factors contributing to mental health: implications for mental health promotion. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 18(1), 50-56.
7. Winter, M., Donovan, R.J. & Fielder, L. (in press) Exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol advertising on television in Australia. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Studies.

8. Carter, O., Donovan, R.J., Weller, N. & Jalleh, G. (2007) Impact of Smoking Images in Magazines on the Smoking Attitudes and Intentions of Youth: An Experimental Investigation, Tobacco Control, 16(6), 368-72. [link] [images used in the experiment]

9. Watkins, R.E. Cooke, F.C., Donovan, R.J., MacIntyre, C.R., Itzwerth, R. & Plant, A.J. (2007) Influenza pandemic preparedness: motivation for protection among small and medium businesses in Australia. BioMed Public Health, 7:157 [link]

10. Carter, O. & Donovan, R.J. (2007) Public (Mis)understanding of the UV Index, Journal of Health Communication, 12, 41-52. [link]

11. Donovan, R.J., Henley, N., Watson, N., Zubrick, S., Silburn, S. & Williams, A. (2007) People's beliefs about factors contributing to mental health: implications for mental health promotion. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 18(1), 50-56.

12. Donovan, K., Donovan, R.J., Howat, P. & Weller, N. (2007) Magazine alcohol advertising compliance with the Australian Alcoholic Beverages Advertising Code, Drug and Alcohol Review, 26, 73-81. [PDF]

13. Donovan, R.J., Henley, N., Watson, N., Zubrick, S., Silburn, S. & Williams, A. (2006) The impact on mental health in others of those in a position of authority: a perspective of parents, teachers, trainers and supervisors. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health 5(1). [link]

14. Donovan, R.J., Gibbons, L, Francas, M, Zappelli, R. (2006) Impact on callers to a men's domestic violence helpline. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 30 (4), 384-5.

15. Donovan, R.J., Carter, O. & Byrne, M. (2006) People's perceptions of cancer survivability: implications for oncologists, Lancet Oncology, 7(8), 668-675. [PDF]

16. Donovan, R.J., Jalleh, G, & Carter, O. (2006) Tobacco Industry Smoking Prevention Advertisements' Impact on Youth Motivation for Smoking in the Future, Social Marketing Quarterly, 12(2), 3-13. [PDF]

17. Donovan, R.J., James, R., Jalleh, G., & Sidebottom, C. (2006) Implementing mental health promotion: the Act-Belong-Commit Mentally Healthy WA campaign in Western Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 8(1), 33-42. (Feature Article)

18. Jalleh, G., Donovan, R.J., Stewart, S. & Sullivan, D. (2006) Is there public support for banning smoking in motor vehicles? Tobacco Control, 15, 71. [PDF]

19. Pettigrew, S., Mizerski, K., Donovan, R. (2005) The three 'big issues' for older supermarket shoppers, Journal of Consumer Marketing, 22(6), 306-313.

20. Jalleh, G., Donovan, R.J., Stewart, S. & Sullivan, D. (2005) Selling or promotion? Tobacco Control, 14(5), 430. [PDF]

21. Jones, S., Carter, O., Donovan, R. & Jalleh, G. (2005) Western Australians' perceptions of the survivability of different cancers: implications for public education campaigns, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 16(2), 124-128. [link: abstract only]

22. Jalleh, G., Donovan, R.J., Slevin, T. & Dixon, H. (2005) Efficacy of bowel cancer appeals for promoting physical activity, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 16(2), 107-109.

23. Greig, R., Shilton, T. & Donovan, R.J. (2004) The development of a unifying brand to promote physical activity in Western Australia, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 15(2), 168-170.

24. Wang, C., Henley N. & Donovan, R.J. (2004) Exploring children's conceptions of smoking addiction. Health Education Research, 19(6), 626-634.

25. Pettigrew, S., Mizerski, K. & Donovan, R.J. , (2004) Serving seniors better: Service guidelines for general practitioners, Australasian Journal of Ageing, 23(3), 136-138.

26. Pettigrew, S., Mizerski, K. & Donovan, R.J. , (2004) Serving seniors better: Service guidelines for financial planners, Australasian Journal of Ageing, 23(3), 139-141.

27. Pettigrew, S., Mizerski, K. & Donovan, R.J. , (2004) Serving seniors better: Service guidelines for supermarkets, Australasian Journal of Ageing, 23(3), 142-143.

28. Jones, S.C. & Donovan, R.J. (2004) Does theory inform practice in health promotion in Australia? Health Education Research, 19(1), 1-14.

29. Gile-Corti, B., Wood, L., Donovan, R., Rosenburg, M., Saunders, J. & Mills, C. (2004) Opportunities and challenges for promoting health in a changing world, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 15(1), 17-23.

30. Donovan, R., Carter, O., Jalleh, G. & Jones, S. (2004) Beliefs about Cancer, 1964-2001, Medical Journal of Australia, 181, 23-25. [PDF]

31. Giles-Corti, B., Donovan, R.J. (2003) Increasing Walking: Relative Influences of Individual, Social Environmental, and Physical Environmental Correlates of Walking, American Journal of Public Health, 93(9), 1583-1589.

32. Pikora, T., Giles-Corti, B., Bull, F., Jamrozik, K., & Donovan, R.J. (2003) Developing a framework for assessment of the environmental determinants of walking and cycling, Social Science and Medicine, 56, 1693-1703. [PDF]

33. Watson, N., Clarkson, J., Donovan, R., & Giles-Corti, B. (2003) Filthy or Fashionable: Young People's Perceptions of Smoking in the Media, Health Education Research, 18(5), 554-567.

34. Donovan, R.J., Jones, S. & Jalleh, G. (2003) The Word "Cancer": Reframing the Context to Reduce Anxiety Arousal. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27 (3), 291-293.

35. Wakefield, M., Freeman, J. & Donovan, R. (2003) Recall and response of smokers and recent quitters to the Australian National Tobacco Campaign, Tobacco Control, 12, II15-II22. [PDF]

36. Donovan, R., Boulter, J., Borland, R., Jalleh, G., & Carter, O. (2003) Continuous Tracking of the Australian National Tobacco Campaign: Advertising Effects on Recall, Recognition, Cognitions and Behaviour, Tobacco Control, 12, II30-II39. [PDF]

37. Henley, N. & Donovan, R.J. Young People's Response to Death Threat Appeals: Do They Really Feel Immortal? Health Education Research, 2003, 18 (1), 1-24.

38. Clarkson, J.P., Giles-Corti, B., Donovan, R.J. & Frizzell, S. (2002) Play Hard Drink Safe: A Pilot Project to Promote Responsible Alcohol Consumption in Sporting Clubs in Western Australia, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 13 (3) 226 - 231.

39. Carroll, T.E. & Donovan, R.J. (2002) Alcohol Marketing on the Internet: New Challenges for Harm Reduction, Drug and Alcohol Review, 21, 83-91.

40. Giles-Corti, B. & Donovan, R.J. (2002) The Relative Influence of Individual, Social and Physical Environment Determinants of Physical Activity, Social Science and Medicine, 54, 1793-1812. [PDF]

41. Aoun, S., Donovan, R.J., Johnson, L. & Egger, G. (2002) Preventive Care in the Context of Men's Health, Journal of Health Psychology, 7(3), 243-252.

42. Donovan, R.J., Egger, G., Kapernick, V. & Mendoza, J. (2002) A Conceptual Framework for Achieving Drug Compliance in Sport, Sports Medicine, 32(4); 269-284.

43. Jalleh, G.J., Donovan, R.J., Giles-Corti, B., Holman, C.D.J. (2002) Sponsorship: Impact on Brand Awareness and Brand Attitudes, Social Marketing Quarterly, 8(1), 35-45. [PDF]

44. Donovan, R.J., Jancey, J. & Jones, S. (2002) Tobacco Point of Sale Advertising Increases Positive Brand User Imagery, Tobacco Control, 11, 191-194. [PDF]

45. Pikora, TJ., Bull, FC., Jamrozik, K., Knuiman, M., Giles-Corti, B. & Donovan, RJ. (2002) Developing a reliable method to measure the physical environment for physical activity, American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 23(3),187-194.

46. Giles-Corti, B. & Donovan, RJ. (2002) SES differences in recreational PA levels and real and perceived access to a supportive physical environment, Preventative Medicine, 35, 601-11.

47. Henley, N. & Donovan, R.J. (2002) Death Anxiety and Threat Appeals: Towards a Practical Application in the Context of Health Promotion, Omega, 46 (3), 221-235.

48. Henley, N. & Donovan, R.J. (2002) Identifying appropriate nutrition and physical activity behaviours, Journal of Research for Consumers, 4 (December) http://www.jrconsumers.com/ [link]

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