Professor Simon Rosenbaum

Simon Rosenbaum is a Professor in the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health at UNSW Sydney and the co-lead of the NExuS research group (Nutrition, Exercise, and Social Equity). His research focuses on the intersection of physical activity and mental health, particularly for populations exposed to trauma and social disadvantage.

Simon was named a 2024 NSW Young Tall Poppy for his research in the integration of non-pharmacological treatments for people experiencing poor mental health, and his commitment to strengthening research capability in low-income and conflict-affected countries. He is also a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2019–2024). Simon has authored over 280 peer-reviewed publications and delivered workshops in more than 25 countries.

He is a past president of the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS, 2021–2023) and served as the inaugural co-chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation’s Think Tank on sport and humanitarian settings (2021–2023). Simon was also an elected national director of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA, 2015–2021).

He previously worked as a community-based mental health and psychosocial support officer (MHPSS) with the United Nations International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as part of the Rohingya refugee response in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (2020–2021).

Simon has held visiting academic appointments in Bangladesh, Colombia, and Italy, and is currently supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership 2 Fellowship.

Locally, he is the founder of Addi Moves, a free, trauma-informed exercise facility for individuals experiencing trauma and social exclusion, located at the Addison Road Community Organisation in Marrickville, Sydney.