Pollution, Climate and Urbanisation

Research in this theme investigates how the physical environments we live in, from the air we breathe to the homes and cities we inhabit, affect health and disease. A major focus is air pollution and its effects across the body, including asthma and airways disease, cardiovascular disease, eczema, bone health, pregnancy outcomes and neurodegeneration and dementia. Several researchers are working on the biological mechanisms using cell and organ-on-a-chip models. Emerging pollutants are another strong strand, including micro- and nanoplastics, Underground dust, pesticides and noise, alongside unhealthy housing, where damp, mould and airborne fungi harm children's respiratory health. Climate-related research examines extreme heat and temperature, from effects on mental health, pregnancy and biological ageing to climate anxiety among young people, and how health services can better protect vulnerable communities during heatwaves, floods and other hazards. Urban and built-environment work looks at green space and trees, neighbourhood design, transport and airports, and how they shape physical function and ageing. 
Methods include laboratory models (e.g. stem cells, organ-on-a-chip, mouse models) and imaging studies, large cohort epidemiology, spatiotemporal statistics, satellite and sensor monitoring, economic analysis of policy changes and natural experiments, and creative and participatory approaches.