Research Projects
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Would you be happier living in a greener urban area?
This study draws on 18 years of panel data from over 10,000 participants to explore the self-reported psychological health of individuals over time and the relationship between urban green space, wellbeing and mental...
Targeted genomics to reveal antibiotic resistance genes disseminated by transduction
This study will undertake a comprehensive screen for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) carried by bacteriophages in waste water, using targeted genomics approaches where an antibiotic sensitive E. coli reference strain will be exposed to bacteriophages isolated from waste water,...
Beyond Greenspace
Linking ecological, socioeconomic and health data to deepen our understanding of relationships between nature, health and wellbeing
Much of the research on the potential benefits of natural environments for health has considered ‘greenspace’ in general, with no...
The Inhabitat Project
Using collaborative science to explore linkages between environmental condition and human health and wellbeing
Inhabitat is an innovative, interactive research project designed to explore relationships between natural environmental condition and aspects of human health and...
Environmental pollutants and antibiotic resistance
Assessing selection for antibiotic resistance in the natural environment
Established theories suggest that selection for resistant bacteria usually occurs in the human body, when a patient is under antibiotic therapy. However, recent research suggests that low concentrations of...
Assessing exposure to antibiotic resistance
Identifying environmental reservoirs of novel antibiotic resistant genes
This project is seeking to reveal how humans are exposed to environmental reservoirs of antibiotic resistant organisms.
Previous work by Dr William Gaze has demonstrated that the natural environment can act...
Assessing the impact of waste metals
This project is working with the University of Exeter Aquatic Resources Centre (ARC) to assess the impact of waste metals on estuarine ecosystems in and around the Fal River, Cornwall, UK.
The upper reaches of the Fal estuary are heavily contaminated with waste metals, particularly...
Climate change adaptation
Climate change policy is now focussing increasingly on adaptation strategies as well as mitigation measures. An in-depth survey of the literature has confirmed a key gap in adaptation policies: ecology.
This project is conducting a review on climate change and human health, and by...
Outdoor space and dementia: A systematic review
What is the impact of using outdoor spaces such as gardens on the physical and mental well-being of those with dementia? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence.
In collaboration with colleagues from...
Smoking and low birth weight: A genetic analysis
This study has utilised the pregnant woman’s genetic make-up to investigate the relationship between smoking and birth weight. It has strengthened the evidence that smoking during pregnancy causes low birth weight in full term babies.
A growing body of evidence has suggested an...