Dr James Woodcock BA MSc PhD

Honorary Lecturer

James graduated in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Keble College, Oxford. James then took an MSc in Public Policy at UCL, where he developed an interest in epidemiology. Following his masters he joined the BMJ Group, first as an editor on BMJ Clinical Evidence and then as an epidemiologist on a wide range of projects for external clients. During James’ time at the BMJ he started a research degree at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). In 2009 James joined LSHTM as a lecturer in epidemiology, completing his PhD in 2010. James’ research has focused on the development of integrated approaches for modelling the health impact of alternative pathways to reductions in greenhouse gases from urban land transport. James was first author on the transport paper in the Lancet series on climate changes mitigation and health, which was launched on 25 November 2009. James joined the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), University of Cambridge in July 2011 to continue research on transport and health http://www.cedar.iph.cam.ac.uk/people/cdfs/james-woodcock/

Affiliation

Research

My research centres on the questions of what constitutes a healthy, sustainable, equitable and resilient transport system and how to achieve it.

As part of the Climate Change Mitigation and Health Task force I co-ordinated the transport team, with Prof Ian Roberts. We used mathematical models to estimate the impact of changes in walking and cycling and motor vehicle use on health outcomes, through changes in physical activity, air pollution and road traffic injury risk. We applied these models to both a high income and lower income urban setting. Findings were published in the Lancet before the Copenhagen talks in December 2009.

James has led the development of the Integrated Transport and Health Impact Modelling tool (ITHIM). This tool represents a novel approach for modelling the impact of travel behaviours on population health outcomes (through changes to physical activity and road traffic injuries) and greenhouse gas emissions. ITHIM is being used to model scenarios for different settings in the US, England & Wales, and comparing European countries.

Research areas

  • Behaviour change
  • Climate change
  • Environment
  • Globalisation
  • Health inequalities
  • Modelling
  • Physical activity
  • Transport

Disciplines

  • Epidemiology

Disease and Health Conditions

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Injuries

Other interests

  • Air Pollution
  • Oil
  • road traffic injuries
Back to top