Dr Seraphim Alvanides
PGCert MA PhD
Reader in GI Science
Biography
I am an urban social geographer, with expertise in quantitative methods and Geographical Information Systems and Science (GIS/Sc). My earlier research interests involve the analysis of population census data in order to identify patterns of social deprivation and health inequalities. My more recent work concerns obesogenic environments, such as availability of food outlets and physical activity opportunities, in the context of social/environmental justice.
I was appointed Reader with the School of the Built and Natural Environment at Northumbria University in September 2010. Prior to this I was part of the 'Society, Space and Practice' research group at Newcastle University (until August 2010).
Talking Point
I am actively involved as a member, fellow or chair with various professional organisations and groups, such as the the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers (RGS-IBG), the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Association for Geographic Information (AGI), the Urban Design Group (UDG) and the Transport Planning Society (TPS). I am currently the Chair of the GISc Research Group of the RGS-IBG.
Putting my research into practice, I am also involved with charities and volunteer organisations promoting active lifestyles, such as Sustrans, Living Streets, NEAT (North East Active Travel) and the Transport and Health Study Group (THSG).
Research Interests
I am an urban social geographer with research interests in public health, active living and environmental justice. My methodological research concerns the use of geographical information systems/science in understanding space-time movements of people. My substantive research focuses on the effect of the built, natural and social environments on physical activity, healthy living and active transport. Last year I published an edited volume on "Obesogenic Environments" (Wiley, July 2010).
Currently, I am further developing two areas of research, linked to the theme of space-time geography of everyday mobilities. The first area is looking at accessibility and availability of school choice in relation to the school run, taking into account school quality. This research is focusing in South Africa and has attracted funding from the prestigious Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to employ a research assistant for a year (Julia de Kadt). The second area of research is concerned with the constraints preventing the uptake of cycling in British cities. This is linked to the concept of active travel/transport for daily commuting and I am supervising a PhD student on this topic (Godwin Yeboah), funded by a Northumbria University scholarship.
Key Publications
Lake AA, Townshend T, Alvanides S (Eds.) (2010) Obesogenic Environments: complexities, perceptions and objective measures: Wiley-Blackwell
Burgoine T, Alvanides S, Lake AA (2011) Assessing the obesogenic environment of North East England. Health and Place 17(3): 738-747.
Burgoine T, Lake AA, Alvanides S, Stamp E, Mathers J & Adamson AJ (2009) The Changing Foodscape 1980-2000: The ASH30 Study. Appetite 53(2):157-165.
Lake AA, Alvanides S, Adamson AJ, Townshend T & Stamp E (2009) Diet, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Perceptions of the Environment in Young Adults. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 22(5):444-454.
Jarvis H and Alvanides S (2008) School choice from a household resource perspective: preliminary findings from North England case study. Community, Work and Family 11(4): 385-403.
Forsyth R, Colver A, Alvanides S, Wooley M, Lowe M (2007) Participation of young severely disabled children is influenced by their intrinsic impairments and environment. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 49(5): 345–349.
Daras K and Alvanides S (2006) Designing sustainable public health geographies in England and Wales. In M.Campagna (Ed.) GIS for Sustainable Development Taylor & Francis, 247-265.
Teaching Interests and Modules
I welcome the opportunity to supervise PhD and Masters projects researching any of the topics listed under my “Research Interests”.Who I Work With
People:
Organisations:
RGS-IBG Research Group on GISc
