The Circadian Light in Adolescence, Sleep and School Study 

What is the CLASS Study investigating?
The CLASS Study is a long-term research project investigating how sleep patterns and light exposure influence the body clock, mood, thinking, wellbeing and academic performance in young people.
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The study has evolved over three phases:
  • Phase 1: Followed participants from Year 7 to Year 9 (completed)
  • Phase 2: Follows participants from Year 8 to Year 12 (recently completed recruitment)
  • Phase 3: The current phase will follow 16 to 20 year olds to investigate how changes to sleep patterns impact mood and wellbeing during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. 
Some participants may be part of one or more of these phases.

How can I get involved?

Are you 16 to 20 years old living in Melbourne, Victoria? If yes, you may be eligible to participate in the CLASS study. To express your interest or learn more, please fill out our expression of interest form here. We would love to hear from you! 


Why is the CLASS Study important?

By learning about youths' sleep and how it affects their daily life, we can find ways to help individuals who might be struggling with their wellbeing or mental health. 

This is the first study to follow youths over time and look at the effect of light exposure on the body clock and how this affects youths' sleep patterns and mental health.
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What's so interesting about teenagers' sleep?

Starting from early adolescence the internal body clock begins to shift later. Across adolescence, this natural shift in body clock makes many teenagers prefer going to bed later at night and getting up later in the morning. 

Because school starts early, teenagers may not get enough sleep on school nights and feel sleep during the day. This pattern can persist into early adulthood, as factors like academic demands and employment continue to interfere with getting enough sleep. We are interested in exploring whether sleep is associated with youths' mood, thinking and wellbeing over time. 

I'm a teacher. How can my students get involved?

Thanks for your interest in the CLASS study! Click here to learn more about getting involved.

Contact Us:

1/270 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC 3168
(03) 9905 5195   
[email protected]