The Social & Environmental Exposure Science Team within the ERG is a multidisciplinary team bringing together expertise in personal air pollution exposure measurement and characterisation, social science research methods, digitally enabled environmental knowledge production and exchange, and public engagement and involvement. Our work bridges the natural sciences, social sciences and health disciplines to develop a more holistic understanding of environmental health challenges and their impacts on people and communities. We are particularly interested in how environmental exposures are experienced and understood within different social and environmental contexts, and in developing approaches that are inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of those most affected. Drawing on implementation science, we aim to ensure that research is translated into feasible, scalable and sustainable policies, practices and interventions.

Children with air quality monitoring backpacks

Research

Our team takes an interdisciplinary approach to environmental health, combining exposure science, social science and community-centred research to understand and address environmental health inequalities. Our research focuses on advancing methods for assessing real-world environmental exposures, particularly among vulnerable and underserved populations; integrating social science to understand lived experiences, behaviours, beliefs and the wider social context of environmental health challenges; and developing participatory and community-centred approaches that co-produce research and solutions with communities. We also develop and evaluate digitally enabled approaches to environmental communication, including real-time exposure information, sensors and digital platforms, to support knowledge exchange, reduce harmful exposures and promote healthier behaviours. Across these areas, we aim to generate robust, context-sensitive evidence that can inform policy, practice and practical action.

Education

Our team plays an active and diverse role in public health and environmental education across multiple programmes and levels:

Teaching and Module Leadership

  • Co-led the module Planetary Health and Emerging Environmental Challenges within the Master of Public Health (MPH).
  • Contribute to the module Exposure Assessment within the MPH.
  • Lead the Social and Behaviour Change theme within the iSTEMM PUBH6001 module Environmental Pollution and Health.
  • Contribute to the I-Explore STEMM Public Engagement module.

Supervision and Mentorship

Specialist Course Delivery

Find out more about our projects

Team Members

Professor Benjamin Barratt

Munira Elmi

Dr Julia Fussell

Andrew Grieve

Yiqun Han

Sutong Li

Dr Kayla Schulte

Dr Diana Varaden

George Young

George Young
Research Postgraduate

Swati Jain

Anil Sindhwani

Anil Sindhwani
Research Assistant in Community Engagement and Social Housing

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