Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
Skip to main content

Dr Angela Curl

Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 364 3626
Email
angela.curl@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position
Senior Lecturer
Department
Department of Population Health (Christchurch)
Qualifications
BA, PhD
Research summary
Health and transport

Research

Angela is a social scientist interested in the relationships between urban environments, transport and health. She is particularly interested in how public policies, particularly in transport, urban planning and housing, can address health inequalities and transport disadvantage.

Angela undertakes research exploring perceptions and experiences of accessibility and how these interact with the built environment to influence outcomes, such as travel behaviour, transport disadvantage, physical activity, health and wellbeing, for different population groups. Her research focuses particularly the experiences of older adults and lower income groups.

Angela uses both quantitative and qualitative social research methodologies and is particularly interested in novel methodological approaches, including those that utilise GIS.

Her current research projects include:

  • Older adults’ experiences of the pedestrian environment, particularly in relation to falling and fear of falling
  • Health and social impacts of new transport technologies, including autonomous vehicles, bicycle-sharing, and e-scooters
  • Incorporating social and distributional impact assessment into transport policy (Ministry of Transport)

    • She previously lectured in Health Geography at the University of Canterbury and worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow and at the OPENspace research centre at the University of Edinburgh. She completed her PhD in Geography at the Centre for Transport Research at the University of Aberdeen. Prior to this she worked as a transport planner.

    Publications

    McKerchar, C., Bidwell, S., Curl, A., Pocock, T., Cowie, M., Miles, H., & Crossin, R. (2023). Promoting health in the digital environment: health policy experts’ responses to on-demand delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand. Health Promotion International, 38, daad091. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daad091

    Duthie, C., Pocock, T., Curl, A., Clark, E., Norriss, D., Bidwell, S., McKerchar, C., & Crossin, R. (2023). Online on-demand delivery services of food and alcohol: A scoping review of public health impacts. SSM Population Health, 21, 101349. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101349

    Norriss, D., Crossin, R., Curl, A., Bidwell, S., Clark, E., Pocock, T., Gage, R., & McKerchar, C. (2022). Food outlet access and the healthiness of food available 'on-demand' via meal delivery apps in New Zealand. Nutrients, 14(20), 4228. doi: 10.3390/nu14204228

    Walker, L., & Curl, A. (2021). Social and distributional impact assessment in transport policy. In R. Vickerman (Ed.), International encyclopedia of transportation: (Vol. 6): Transport policy and planning. (pp. 361-367). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102671-7.10773-0

    Curl, A., Annear, M., Keeling, S., & Hackett, G. (2023). Building back better: Do post-earthquake neighborhoods promote active aging? A long-term audit analysis in Christchurch, New Zealand. Journal of Aging & Environment, 37(3), 255-276. doi: 10.1080/26892618.2022.2071373

    McKerchar, C., Bidwell, S., Curl, A., Pocock, T., Cowie, M., Miles, H., & Crossin, R. (2023). Promoting health in the digital environment: health policy experts’ responses to on-demand delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand. Health Promotion International, 38, daad091. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daad091

    Journal - Research Article

    Duthie, C., Pocock, T., Curl, A., Clark, E., Norriss, D., Bidwell, S., McKerchar, C., & Crossin, R. (2023). Online on-demand delivery services of food and alcohol: A scoping review of public health impacts. SSM Population Health, 21, 101349. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101349

    Journal - Research Other

    Norriss, D., Crossin, R., Curl, A., Bidwell, S., Clark, E., Pocock, T., Gage, R., & McKerchar, C. (2022). Food outlet access and the healthiness of food available 'on-demand' via meal delivery apps in New Zealand. Nutrients, 14(20), 4228. doi: 10.3390/nu14204228

    Journal - Research Article

    Walker, L., & Curl, A. (2021). Social and distributional impact assessment in transport policy. In R. Vickerman (Ed.), International encyclopedia of transportation: (Vol. 6): Transport policy and planning. (pp. 361-367). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102671-7.10773-0

    Chapter in Book - Research

    Curl, A., Annear, M., Keeling, S., & Hackett, G. (2023). Building back better: Do post-earthquake neighborhoods promote active aging? A long-term audit analysis in Christchurch, New Zealand. Journal of Aging & Environment, 37(3), 255-276. doi: 10.1080/26892618.2022.2071373

    Journal - Research Article

    Gibson, H., Curl, A., & Thompson, L. (2022). Blurred boundaries: E-scooter riders’ and pedestrians’ experiences of sharing space. Mobilities, 17(1), 69-84. doi: 10.1080/17450101.2021.1967097

    Journal - Research Article

    Miles, H., Apeldoorn, B., McKerchar, C., Curl, A., & Crossin, R. (2022). Describing and characterising on-demand delivery of unhealthy commodities in New Zealand. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(4), 429-437. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13230

    Journal - Research Article

    Hobbs, M., Ahuriri-Driscoll, A., Kingham, S., Wiki, J., Marek, L., Dionisio, M. R., Curl, A., … Mackenbach, J. D. (2022). A city profile of Ōtautahi Christchurch [City profile]. Cities, 121, 103481. doi: 10.1016/j.cities.2021.103481

    Journal - Research Article

    van der Vlugt, A.-L., Curl, A., & Scheiner, J. (2022). The influence of travel attitudes on perceived walking accessibility and walking behaviour. Travel Behaviour & Society, 27, 47-56. doi: 10.1016/j.tbs.2021.11.002

    Journal - Research Article

    Watkins, A., Curl, A., Mavoa, S., Tomintz, M., Todd, V., & Dicker, B. (2021). A socio-spatial analysis of pedestrian falls in Aotearoa New Zealand. Social Science & Medicine, 288, 113212. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113212

    Journal - Research Article

    Hartley, M., Curl, A., Crossin, R., & McKerchar, C. (2021). Access to primary care services using public transport in Ōtautahi Christchurch. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1546), 59-69. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., & Fitt, H. (2020). Same same, but different? Cycling and e-scootering in a rapidly changing urban transport landscape. New Zealand Geographer, 76, 194-206. doi: 10.1111/nzg.12271

    Journal - Research Article

    Fitt, H., & Curl, A. (2020). The early days of shared micromobility: A social practices approach. Journal of Transport Geography, 86, 102779. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102779

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Fitt, H., & Tomintz, M. (2020). Experiences of the built environment, falls and fear of falling outdoors among older adults: An exploratory study and future directions. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 17(4), 1224. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17041224

    Journal - Research Article

    Kingham, S., Curl, A., & Banwell, K. (2020). Streets for transport and health: The opportunity of a temporary road closure for neighbourhood connection, activity and wellbeing. Journal of Transport & Health, 18, 100872. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2020.100872

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., & Fitt, H. (2019). Will driverless cars be good for us? Now is the time for public health to act together with urban and transport planning. Journal of Global Health, 9(2), 020303. doi: 10.7189/jogh.09.020303

    Journal - Research Other

    van der Vlugt, A.-L., Curl, A., & Wittowsky, D. (2019). What about the people? Developing measures of perceived accessibility from case studies in Germany and the UK. Applied Mobilities, 4(2), 142-162. doi: 10.1080/23800127.2019.1573450

    Journal - Research Article

    Fitt, H., Curl, A., Dionisio, M. R., Ahuriri-Driscoll, A., & Pawson, E. (2019). Considering the wellbeing implications for an ageing population of a transition to automated vehicles. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 30, 100382. doi: 10.1016/j.rtbm.2019.100382

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., & Mason, P. (2019). Neighbourhood perceptions and older adults’ wellbeing: Does walking explain the relationship in deprived urban communities? Transportation Research Part A, 123, 119-129. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2018.11.008

    Journal - Research Article

    Kearns, A., Whitley, E., & Curl, A. (2019). Occupant behaviour as a fourth driver of fuel poverty (aka warmth & energy deprivation). Energy Policy, 129, 1143-1155. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.03.023

    Journal - Research Article

    MacLeod, M. A., Curl, A., & Kearns, A. (2019). Understanding the prevalence and drivers of food bank use: Evidence from deprived communities in Glasgow. Social Policy & Society, 18(1), 67-86. doi: 10.1017/S1474746418000064

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Clark, J., & Kearns, A. (2018). Household car adoption and financial distress in deprived urban communities: A case of forced car ownership? Transport Policy, 65, 61-71. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2017.01.002

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Kearns, A., Macdonald, L., Mason, P., & Ellaway, A. (2018). Can walking habits be encouraged through area-based regeneration and relocation? A longitudinal study of deprived communities in Glasgow, UK. Journal of Transport & Health, 10, 44-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2018.06.004

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A. (2018). The importance of understanding perceptions of accessibility when addressing transport equity: A case study in Greater Nottingham, UK. Journal of Transport & Land Use, 11(1), 1147-1162. doi: 10.5198/jtlu.2018.1003

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., & Kearns, A. (2017). Housing improvements, fuel payment difficulties and mental health in deprived communities. International Journal of Housing Policy, 17(3), 417-443. doi: 10.1080/14616718.2016.1248526

    Journal - Research Article

    Clark, J., & Curl, A. (2016). Bicycle and car share schemes as inclusive modes of travel? A socio-spatial analysis in Glasgow, UK. Social Inclusion, 4(3), 83-99. doi: 10.17645/si.v4i3.510

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Thompson, C. W., Aspinall, P., & Omerod, M. (2016). Developing an audit checklist to assess outdoor falls risk. Urban Design & Planning, 169(DP3), 138-153. doi: 10.1680/udap.14.00056

    Journal - Research Article

    Mason, P., Curl, A., & Kearns, A. (2016). Domains and levels of physical activity are linked to adult mental health and wellbeing in deprived neighbourhoods: A cross-sectional study. Mental Health & Physical Activity, 11, 19-28. doi: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2016.07.001

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Thompson, C. W., Alves, S., & Aspinall, P. (2016). Outdoor environmental supportiveness and older people’s quality of life: A personal projects approach. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 30(1), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/02763893.2015.1087925

    Journal - Research Article

    Egan, M., Kearns, A., Katikireddi, S. V., Curl, A., Lawson, K., & Tannahill, C. (2016). Proportionate universalism in practice? A quasi-experimental study (GoWell) of a UK neighbourhood renewal programme's impact on health inequalities. Social Science & Medicine, 152, 41-49. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.026

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., & Kearns, A. (2015). Can housing improvements cure or prevent the onset of health conditions over time in deprived areas? BMC Public Health, 15(1), 1191. doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-2524-5

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., & Kearns, A. (2015). Financial difficulty and mental wellbeing in an age of austerity: The experience in deprived communities. Social Policy & Society, 14(2), 217-240. doi: 10.1017/S1474746414000475

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Kearns, A., Mason, P., Egan, M., Tannahill, C., & Ellaway, A. (2015). Physical and mental health outcomes following housing improvements: Evidence from the GoWell study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 69(1), 12-19. doi: 10.1136/jech-2014-204064

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Nelson, J. D., & Anable, J. (2015). Same question, different answer: A comparison of GIS-based journey time accessibility with self-reported measures from the National Travel Survey in England. Computers, Environment & Urban Systems, 49, 86-97. doi: 10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2013.10.006

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Thompson, C. W., & Aspinall, P. (2015). The effectiveness of 'shared space' residential street interventions on self-reported activity levels and quality of life for older people. Landscape & Urban Planning, 139, 117-125. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.02.019

    Journal - Research Article

    Davison, L., & Curl, A. (2014). A transport and health geography perspective on walking and cycling. Journal of Transport & Health, 1(4), 341-345. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2014.09.001

    Journal - Research Other

    Curl, A., & Davison, L. (2014). Transport Geography: Perspectives upon entering an accomplished research sub-discipline. Journal of Transport Geography, 38, 100-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.05.018

    Journal - Research Other

    Thompson, C. W., Curl, A., Aspinall, P., Alves, S., & Zuin, A. (2014). Do changes to the local street environment alter behaviour and quality of life of older adults? The 'DIY Streets' intervention. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(13), 1059-1065. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091718

    Journal - Research Article

    Curl, A., Nelson, J., & Anable, J. (2012). Does accessibility planning address what matters? A response to Derek Halden by Curl, Nelson and Anable. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 3, 84. doi: 10.1016/j.rtbm.2012.04.003

    Journal - Research Other

    Curl, A., Nelson, J. D., & Anable, J. (2011). Does accessibility planning address what matters? A review of current practice and practitioner perspectives. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 2, 3-11. doi: 10.1016/j.rtbm.2011.07.001

    Journal - Research Article

    Shaw, C., Fitt, H., Chapman, R., Wild, K., Woodward, A., Curl, A., & MacMillan, A. (2023). Where do the parties stand? A low carbon, healthy transport system. The Briefing, (29 August). Retrieved from https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/where-do-parties-stand-low-carbon-healthy-transport-system

    Journal - Research Other

    Curl, A., & Musselwhite, C. (Eds.). (2018). Geographies of transport and ageing. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 254p. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-76360-6

    Edited Book - Research

    Curl, A., Tilley, S., & Van Cauwenberg, J. (2018). Walking with older adults as a geographical method. In A. Curl & C. Musselwhite (Eds.), Geographies of transport and ageing. (pp. 171-195). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-76360-6_8

    Chapter in Book - Research

    Costantini, A., Thomopoulos, N., Steibel, F., Curl, A., Lugano, G., & Kováčiková, T. (2020). Autonomous vehicles in a GDPR era: An international comparison. In Policy implications of autonomous vehicles: Advances in transport policy and planning (Vol. 5). (pp. 191-213). Cambridge, MA: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/bs.atpp.2020.02.005

    Chapter in Book - Research

    Curl, A., & Clark, J. (2019). Health, wellbeing and quality of life. In I. Docherty & J. Shaw (Eds.), Transport matters. (pp. 177-204). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Chapter in Book - Research

    Musselwhite, C., & Curl, A. (2018). Geographical perspectives on transport and ageing. In A. Curl & C. Musselwhite (Eds.), Geographies of transport and ageing. (pp. 3-24). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-76360-6_1

    Chapter in Book - Research

    Clark, J., & Curl, A. (2019). Transport, urban regeneration and health. In I. Vojnovic, A. L. Pearson, G. Asiki, G. DeVerteuil & A. Allen (Eds.), Handbook of global urban health. (pp. 643-661). New York, NY: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315465456

    Chapter in Book - Research

    Back to top