Dr Angela Curl, Our people, University of Otago, Christchurch, University of Otago, New Zealand

Senior Lecturer
Postgraduate Course Director

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 papers in the Diploma of Public Health.

PUBH 714 Public Policy and Health Systems
PUBH 723 Survey Methods
PUBH 733 Environmental Health (2021)

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
Member of Transportation Group (EngineeringNZ)
Member and branch Committee Member – Public Health Association
Member of New Zealand Geographical Society

Student supervision

Current supervision

Student: Williams, N.
Degree: PhD (in progress)
Topic: How can gender sensitive transport planning and design improve social equity and community health outcomes?

Student: Thomas, J.
Degree: Master of Public Health
Dissertation Topic: Access to Active Transport and Self-Perceived Mental Health in Christchurch, New Zealand

Completed PhD

2021

Student: Prana, A.
Degree: PhD
Topic: Supporting Communities to Adapt to a Flooding Environment in Jakarta

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

Completed Masters

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?

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Publications

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., Watkins, A., McKerchar, C., Exeter, D., & Macmillan, A. (2020). Social impact assessment of mode shift [NZ Transport Agency research report 666]. Commissioned by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Wellington, New Zealand: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. 113p. Retrieved from https://www.nzta.govt.nz

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

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

Watkins, A., Curl, A., Mavoa, S., Tomintz, M., Todd, V., & Dicker, B. (2020). A socio-spatial analysis of pedestrian falls in Aotearoa New Zealand. Social Science & Medicine. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113212

Chapter in Book - Research

Commissioned Report for External Body

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

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

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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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

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

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

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

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

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., 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]

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]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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., 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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Curl, A. (2018, June). Social impacts of autonomous vehicles. Canterbury Workers’ Educational Association, Christchurch, New Zealand. [Research Presentation].

Other Research Output

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].

Other Research Output

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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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

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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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

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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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

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 - Published proceedings: Abstract

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

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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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., & 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

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Curl, A. (2015). Briefing paper 24: Health effects of housing improvements. Glasgow, UK: GoWell. 16p. Retrieved from http://www.gowellonline.com

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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

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

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

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

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

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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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

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

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

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

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