Jana Semrau's research focuses on the development, implementation, dissemination, and evaluation of approaches to physical activity-based health promotion in different settings. Whilst exercise has been determined as having positive biopsychosocial effects on health, it is also the case that children, adolescents, and adults often do not meet the recommendations for physical activity, as has been proven by sufficient data. According to the researcher, social disadvantages make the situation even more difficult.
Jana Semrau intends to investigate how actors at various political and social levels – from the federal government to the state and local levels - can contribute to enabling physical activity-related health promotion. She is particularly interested in the development of structures that are effective, efficient, sustainable, and equitable. Her focus is on understanding which measures and strategies are already being implemented or need to be further developed in different environments in order to enable more people to lead a more active lifestyle.
Jana Semrau pursues an interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and collaborative approach that connects academia and society. Her goal is to generate action-oriented knowledge that not only advances research, but also brings about positive social change – towards a fairer and more sustainable world.
Jana Semrau studied sports science, psychology, and vocational education studies at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and completed her doctorate and habilitation at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg on the topic of “Exercise-Related Health Promotion – A Transdisciplinary Perspective” ("Bewegungsbezogene Gesundheitsförderung – Eine transdisziplinäre Perspektive"). Since 2018, she has been leading a team of five doctoral students working on the implementation and scaling of physical activity-based health promotion in the community with a focus on equal opportunities in health.
