Senior Lecturer
Postgraduate Course Director
Email angela.curl@otago.ac.nz
Department of Population Health
University of Otago, Christchurch
PO Box 4345
Christchurch 8140
Background
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.
Teaching
Angela teaches two papers in the Diploma of Public Health.
She is interested in supervising PhD and masters’ theses in a range of areas, such as:
- Urban environments, urban planning and health
- Built environment (including accessibility) and health
- Social inclusion and transport deprivation.
- Perceptions and experiences of mobility and accessibility
- Sustainable and active travel
- Age-friendly cities
- Health and social impacts of new transport technologies
Professional activities / memberships
- Editorial board of Journal of Transport Geography (book review editor)
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
Student supervision
Current supervision
Student: Prana, A.
Degree: PHD (in progress)
Topic: Supporting Communities to Adapt to a Flooding Environment in Jakarta (due 2020)
Completed PhD
2018
Student: Macleod, M.
Degree: PhD
Topic: Understanding the rise and impact of food banks within the welfare state: A comparative study between Scotland and Finland
Compelted masters’
2019
Student: Mukherjee, W.
Topic: Shared mobility
Student: McCone, E.
Topic: Is there a relationship between school student’s transport patterns and perceptions, and a significant school restructure/relocation?
2018
Student: Dargan, C.
Topic: BEYOND the FORTRESS: Dis/ability, Community and Care
Student: Moore, C.
Topic: Resilience and Accessibility in post-earthquake Christchurch
2017
Student: Slaughter, H.
Topic: Generating actionable intelligence and meaningful data from a Smart Cities project
Student: Douglas-Clifford, A.
Topic: Passenger Transport Perceptions and Crowdsourcing
2014
Student: Currie, A.
Topic: Motivations and Barriers to female cycling in Glasgow
Student: McCartney, D.
Topic: Identifying locations for cycle routes in Glasgow
Completed honours
2018
Hackett, G.
Topic: Female experiences of cycling in Christchurch
2017
Cox, D.
Topic: Is there evidence of forced car ownership in Christchurch, New Zealand?
Publications
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
Fitt, H., & Curl, A. (2019). Perceptions and experiences of Lime scooters: Summary survey results. Christchurch, New Zealand: University of Canterbury. Retrieved from https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/16336
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
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. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/23800127.2019.1573450
Curl, A., & Mason, P. (2018). Neighbourhood perceptions and older adults’ wellbeing: Does walking explain the relationship in deprived urban communities? Transportation Research Part A. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2018.11.008
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Fitt, H., & Curl, A. (2019). Perceptions and experiences of Lime scooters: Summary survey results. Christchurch, New Zealand: University of Canterbury. Retrieved from https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/16336
Fletcher, A., Fitt, H., Baldwin, N., Hadfield, H., & Curl, A. (2018). Initial scan of policy/issues relevant to autonomous vehicle development and deployment. Porirua, New Zealand: National Science Challenge 11: Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities. 22p. Retrieved from http://www.buildingbetter.nz
Curl, A., Fitt, H., Dionisio-McHugh, R., Ahuriri-Driscoll, A., Fletcher, A., & Slaughter, H. (2018). Autonomous vehicles and future urban environments: Exploring changing travel behaviours, built environments, and implications for wellbeing in an ageing society. Porirua, New Zealand: National Science Challenge 11: Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities. 42p. Retrieved from http://www.buildingbetter.nz
Fitt, H., Frame, B., Fletcher, A., Curl, A., Dionisio-McHugh, R., Ahuriri-Driscoll, A., … Hadfield, H. (2018). Four plausible scenarios for transport in New Zealand in 2048. Porirua, New Zealand: National Science Challenge 11: Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities. 27p. Retrieved from http://www.buildingbetter.nz
Fitt, H., Curl, A., Dionisio-McHugh, R., Fletcher, A., Frame, B., & Ahuriri-Driscoll, A. (2018). Think piece: Autonomous vehicles and future urban environments: Exploring implications for wellbeing in an ageing society. Porirua, New Zealand: National Science Challenge 11: Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities. 24p. Retrieved from http://www.buildingbetter.nz
MacLeod, M. A., Kearns, A., & Curl, A. (2016). Briefing paper 28: Food bank use among residents of Glasgow’s deprived neighbourhoods. Glasgow, UK: GoWell. 20p. Retrieved from http://www.gowellonline.com
Curl, A. (2015). Briefing paper 24: Health effects of housing improvements. Glasgow, UK: GoWell. 16p. Retrieved from http://www.gowellonline.com
Trevisan, F., Curl, A., Kearns, A., & Ellaway, A. (2014). The recession, austerity measures and health. Glasgow, UK: GoWell. 8p. Retrieved from http://www.gowellonline.com
Curl, A., & Kearns, A. (2013). Financial stress and mental wellbeing in an age of austerity: Evidence from the GoWell surveys 2006-2011. Glasgow, UK: GoWell. 72p. Retrieved from http://www.gowellonline.com
Other Research Output
Curl, A., & Fitt, H. (2019). Attitudes to and use of electric scooters in New Zealand. figshare. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8056109
Fitt, H. & Curl, A. (2018, July) Getting around in the 2040s. Super Seniors, Ministry of Social Development. Retrieved from http://www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz/about-superseniors/ageing-population/transport/transport.html
Curl, A. (2018, June). Social impacts of autonomous vehicles. Canterbury Workers’ Educational Association, Christchurch, New Zealand. [Research Presentation].
Curl, A. (2018, October). Ageing, (im)mobility and falling in urban environments. Geography, Environment and Development Studies Seminar Series, Victoria University Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Curl, A. & Fitt, H. (2019, May). Autonomous vehicles and transport outcomes. Transport Knowledge Hub Seminar, Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.transport.govt.nz/mot-resources/transport-knowledge-hub/transport-knowledge-presentations/
Edited Book - Research
Curl, A., & Musselwhite, C. (Eds.). (2018). Geographies of transport and ageing. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 254p. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-76360-6
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
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
Journal - Research Article
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. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/23800127.2019.1573450
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
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
Curl, A., & Mason, P. (2018). Neighbourhood perceptions and older adults’ wellbeing: Does walking explain the relationship in deprived urban communities? Transportation Research Part A. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2018.11.008
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Other
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
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
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 [Short report]. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(13), 1059-1065. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091718
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
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
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 - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Curl, A., & Lucas, K. (2016). The transport geography research group at the 2015 RGS-IBG conference. Journal of Transport Geography, 51, 227-228. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.01.009
Pangbourne, K., Lucas, K., & Curl, A. (2015). Transport Geography Research Group at the 2014 RGS-IBG conference. Journal of Transport Geography, 42, 191-192. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.10.007
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
van der Vlugt, A.-L., Curl, A., & Wittowsky, D. (2019). Perceived accessibility and its role in the sustainable transformation of cities. In S. Mandic & K. Coppell (Eds.), Proceedings of The Active Living and Environment Symposium (TALES): Linking Transport, Health and Sustainability. (pp. 25). Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. [Abstract]
Curl, A., Fitt, H., van der Vlugt, A.-L., Tomintz, M., Dionisio-McHugh, R., & Beere, P. (2019). Older adults’ experiences of mobility and falling in the outdoor environment. In S. Mandic & K. Coppell (Eds.), Proceedings of The Active Living and Environment Symposium (TALES): Linking Transport, Health and Sustainability. (pp. 38). Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. [Abstract]
Curl, A., & Fitt, H. (2018). What do driverless cars mean for cities, health and wellbeing? Proceedings of the New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) and the Institute of Australian Geographers (IAG) Conference. (pp. 30). Retrieved from https://nzgsconference2018.org/
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Fitt, H., & Curl, A. (2019, May). Lime and the La-Z-Boy: A story of the social integration of transport technology into urban life [Best Presentation Award]. Verbal presentation at the Intelligent Transportation Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ) Transport Technology Conference (T-Tech), Christchurch, New Zealand.
