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Contact Details

Email
helen.fitt@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position
Lecturer
Department
Department of Population Health (Christchurch)
Research summary
Transport and health

Research

Helen is a social scientist who takes a theoretically informed approach to the connections between mobilities and wellbeing. As such, she is interested in exploring always-emergent constellations of dynamic, contingent, and nuanced social processes. Her research to date has focused primarily on transport mobilities. Helen has explored the influence of social meanings on transport practices, including on driving, motorcycling, walking, cycling, and bus use. She has also led and participated in projects concerning the potential wellbeing implications of new and emerging transport technologies, including electric vehicles, e-scooters, and automated (driverless) cars. Her current research explores whether access to shared transport can increase accessibility and wellbeing for residents of social housing and retirement provision.

Helen's work is primarily qualitative and she is interested in exploring the effective use of novel and innovative methods. Helen also has ongoing interests in research ethics and communications. As such, she has been working on using illustration in research communications, including in informed consent processes.

Helen has worked in a range of environments including government, NGO, and private sectors. She has a BA(Hons) in Economics and French from the University of Leeds (UK), an MRes in Development Studies from the University of East Anglia (UK), and PhD in Human Geography from the University of Canterbury (NZ). She has also worked as a researcher at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research and as a lecturer at the University of Canterbury and at Lincoln University.

Publications

Curl, A., Coppens, A., Dares, C., Williman, J., Fitt, H., & Kingham, S. (2024). Accessibility and affordability impacts of half price public transport fares in Aotearoa New Zealand. Findings, (February). doi: 10.32866/001c.92735 Journal - Research Article

Fountain, J., Rosin, C., & Fitt, H. (2023). Resilience and regeneration in a marine tourism destination: The case of Akaroa. Proceedings of the 33rd Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Annual Conference: West, East, South, North: Redirecting Research in Tourism, Hospitality and Events. (pp. 343-344). Fremantle, Australia: CAUTHE. [Abstract] Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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

Fitt, H., & Crossin, R. (2023, May). Shared mobility and on demand delivery. Verbal presentation at the Connect with Transport Research Symposium, Christchurch, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Espiner, N., Stewart, E. J., Fitt, H., Page, S., & Espiner, S. (2023). From tents and maps to vans and apps: Exploring camping mobilities. Tourism Geographies, 25(2–3), 670-689. doi: 10.1080/14616688.2021.1964588 Journal - Research Article

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