Gavin's broad research theme examines the neurophysiological and psychological effects of physical activity participation in children and adults.

Gavin has a particular interest in perceptual responses to exercise (effort, affect and arousal) and how they can influence positive physical activity behaviours.

Gavin completed his PhD training at the University of South Australia which examined the neural basis of affective responses during exercise using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS; a non-invasive neuroimaging technique). He completed his initial postdoctoral training at Tomsk State University (Russia) and then escaped the Siberian winter to thaw out at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis on the French Riviera. His postdoc work examined the effects of exercise upon cognitive function and creativity using NIRS. He then moved stateside to Stanford University where he examined the effectiveness of exercise to improve brain function and symptoms in childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In 2019, Gavin was appointed as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation.