Dr. Simon Kingham, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Simon’s research interests focus on relationships between air pollution exposure and health. Secondary interests include health impacts of transport policies and environment and health more broadly.
Born in Hertfordshire, UK, Simon headed north and completed a BA degree in Geography at Lancaster University where his interest in health, transport and GIS was fostered by Tony Gatrell and John Whitelegg. After two years in the real world, testing pesticide on house flies (all in the name of research), Simon returned to Lancaster to study for his PhD using GIS to examine spatial relationships between air pollution and health under the guidance of Tony Gatrell. Following this he moved to the Universities of Newcastle for two years and Huddersfield for three years working on various projects looking at the relationship between air pollution and health, with the post at Huddersfield including working on various large EU funded projects. This period of research saw a new focused interest in personal pollution exposure. He was then appointed to a Senior Lectureship at the University of Hertfordshire. While continuing work on air pollution and health, a new stream of research developed looking at sustainable transport, including the health implications of transport decisions.
In 2000 Simon was offered a Visiting Lecturer post at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch New Zealand. While there he was offered a permanent post where he has remained since. Research in pollution exposure has continued with projects funded by government departments and the Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST). Simon s current areas of research include air pollution exposure in New Zealand; indoor air quality; air pollution and environmental justice; health and UVB exposure; and the health impacts of the minimum legal driving age. Current teaching includes courses on urban issues, pollution exposure and health geography.
Simon has published in a variety of journals including Health Place, Social Science Medicine, and Environment and Planning A, as well as a number of environmental science and transport journals. More information about Simon’s research and teaching may be found at http://www.geog.canterbury.ac.nz/department/staff/simonk.shtml. Simon may be contacted at simon.kingham@canterbury.ac.nz.
Updated: January 2009
Health and Medical Geography 