Wherever possible, Rohan seeks to work on applied problems that lie within his concept of ‘decouchification’. Quite simply, decouchification means we need to change our sedentary behaviours: we sit on our couches too often and for too long, and we need to seek and find behavioural and social alternatives to help us recover natural health and wellbeing.

The sadness about loneliness – did you know that:

• The US Surgeon General’s Advisory (2023) declared loneliness and isolation a public health crisis, noting it increases the risk of premature death by 29% comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

• Loneliness is linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation, and the Australian Psychological Society estimates that loneliness affects more than 5 million Australians.

By sitting on our couches, we typically consume more energy than we use. Some of the fat about obesity:

• It is estimated that more than 1 billion people globally are living with obesity (650 million adults, 340 million adolescents, and 39 million children), and that in 2022, an estimated 67% of Australian adults were overweight or obese (and there are upward trends in obesity and kids)

• The annual economic cost of obesity to the Australian economy is estimated at $11.8b

If you are afflicted with a condition that needs you to decouchify, like loneliness and/or obesity, you simply are not living life – you’re a mere spectator.

By developing the concept of decouchification, Rohan demonstrates his ability to consider simplistic arguments, such as too many electronic machines cause problem gambling, into the complex reality that there are usually other factors involved with problem consumption. The real solution lies in a broader understanding of human behaviours (rather than the simplistic Economics 101 approach taken by many in the policy field).

The projects Rohan is working on under the concept of decouchification are broad and may seem disjointed; however, they all focus on getting people off their couches. They include investigating how to reinvigorate Sydney’s night economy, better manage alcohol-related violence, the evolving marketing ecosystem of content providers that influence behaviour and thinking, the dynamics of problem consumption (e.g. alcohol, drugs, gambling) and product ‘availability’, sports, and waste management.

Wherever possible, HAR promotes a longitudinal perspective, believing we can learn from the past to develop effective strategies and policies for the future.

By combining real-world data with academic rigour, Dr. Miller’s consultancy offers real-world insights that are both practical and theoretically sound. His work is regularly featured in top international journals and is of keen interest to the media and policymakers, highlighting its relevance and impact in shaping public discourse and policy.

For organisations and individuals grappling with complex challenges in these areas, collaborating with Dr. Miller provides an opportunity to leverage his extensive expertise and insights for strategic decision-making and effective solutions.