We’ve listed our academic papers in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Where possible, we’ve included a link to a website where you can read either the full paper or its abstract.

Recent and upcoming publications

Hubbard, G., den Daas, C., Johnston, M., Murchie, P., Ward Thompson, C. & Dixon, D. 2021. Is rurality, area deprivation, access to outside space and green space associated with mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic? A cross sectional study from the Covid-19 Health and Adherence Research in Scotland project (CHARIS-E). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, 3869, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083869

Cervera, M., Bell, S., Muñoz, F., Mishra, H. S., Fleming, L. E., Grellier, J., Carrasco-turigas, G., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., Vert, C., & Gascon, M. (2021). A transdisciplinary approach to recovering natural and cultural landscape and place identification: A case study of Can Moritz Spring (Rubí, Spain). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), [1709]. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041709

Mishra, H. S., Bell, S., Grellier, J., & White, M. (2021). Testing the reliability and effectiveness of a new tool for assessing urban blue spaces: The BlueHealth environmental assessment tool (BEAT). Health & Place, 68, [102526]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102526

Sun, Z., Scott, I., Bell, S., Zhang, X., & Wang, L. (2021). Time distances to residential food amenities and daily walking duration: A cross-sectional study in two low tier Chinese cities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), [839]. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020839

Bahriny, F., & Bell, S. (2021). Traditional versus Modern? Perceptions and Preferences of Urban Park Users in Iran. Sustainability, 13(4), [2036]. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042036

2020-2007

Vassiljev, P., Bell, S., Balicka, J. & Amrita, U. A. A., 2020. Urban blue acupuncture: An experiment on preferences for design options using virtual models, Sustainability 12, 24, 10656.

Lima, M.F., Ward Thompson, C. and Aspinall, P.A. 2020. Friendly communities and outdoor spaces in contexts of urban population decline. Land  9, 439; doi:10.3390/land9110439

Hubbard, G., Thompson, C.W., Locke, R., Jenkins, D., Munoz, S-A., Van Woerden, H., Maxwell, M., Yang, Y. & Gorely, T. 2020. Co-production of “nature walks for wellbeing” public health intervention for people with severe mental illness: use of theory and practical know-how. BMC Public Health 20, 428 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08518-7

Brookfield, K., Scott, I., Tinker, A. & Ward Thompson, C. 2020. Perspectives on “Novel” Techniques for Designing Age-Friendly Homes and Neighborhoods with Older Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, 1800; doi:10.3390/ijerph17051800

Lima, M.F., Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P.A. and Bell, S. 2020. Communities facing urban depopulation: exploring people’s environmental preferences. A case study of Lisbon, Portugal. Cities and Health doi: 10.1080/23748834.2020.1727820

Ward Thompson, C., Elizalde, A., Cummins, S., Leyland, A.H., Botha, W., Briggs, A., Tilley, S., Silveirinha de Oliveira, E., Roe, J., Aspinall, P., Mitchell, R. 2019. Enhancing health through access to nature: how effective are interventions in woodlands in deprived urban communities? A quasi-experimental study in Scotland, UK. Sustainability 11(12), 3317 https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123317

Neale, C., Roe, J., Aspinall, P., Coyne, R., Mavros, P., Tilley, S., Thin, N., Cinderby, S., & Ward Thompson, C. 2019. The impact of walking in different urban environments on brain activity in older people. Cities and Health doi: 10.1080/23748834.2019.1619893.

Cherrie, M., Shortt, N., Ward Thompson, C., Deary, I. & Pearce, J. 2019. Association between the activity space exposure to parks in childhood and adolescence and cognitive aging in later life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, 632; doi:10.3390/ijerph16040632

Ward Thompson, C., Silveirinha de Oliveira, E., Tilley, S., Elizalde, A., Botha, W., Briggs, A., Cummins, S., Leyland, A.H., Roe, J., Aspinall, P., Brookfield, K., Mitchell, R. 2019. Health impacts of environmental and social interventions designed to increase deprived communities’ access to urban woodlands: a mixed methods study. NIHR Journals: Public Health Research, volume 7, no. 2.

Pearce, J., Cherrie, M., Shortt, N., Deary, I. & Ward Thompson, C. 2018. Life course of place: a longitudinal study of mental health and place. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 43:555–572. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12246

Cherrie, M., Shortt, N., Mitchell, R., Taylor, A., Redmond, P., Ward Thompson, C., Starr, J., Deary, I. and Pearce, J. 2018. Green Space and cognitive ageing: a retrospective life course analysis in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Social Science & Medicine 196: 56-65. http://dx. doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.10.038.

Roe, J., Aspinall, P. & Ward Thompson, C. 2017. Coping with stress in deprived urban neighbourhoods: What is the role of green space according to life stage? Frontiers in Psychology 8:1760, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01760

Neale, C., Aspinall, P., Roe, J., Tilley, S., Mavros, P., Cinderby, S., Coyne, R., Thin, N., Bennett, G. & Ward Thompson, C. 2017. The ageing urban brain: Analysing outdoor physical activity using the Emotiv Affectiv suite in older people. Journal of Urban Health 94(6): 869-880 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-017-0191-9

Grant, M., Brown, C., Caiaffa, W.T., Capon, A., Corburn, J., Coutts, C., Crespo, C., Ellis, G., Ferguson, G., Fudge, C., Hancock, T., Lawrence, R., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., Oni, T., Thompson, S., Wagenaar, C. & Ward Thompson, C. 2017, ‘Cities and health: An evolving global conversation’ Cities and Health. DOI:10.1080/23748834.2017.1316025

Žlender, V. & Ward Thompson, C. 2017. Accessibility and use of peri-urban green space for inner-city dwellers: A comparative study, Landscape and Urban Planning, 165: 193-205. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.06.011

Grellier, J., White, MP., Albin, M., Bell, S. et al. 2017. ‘BlueHealth: a study programme protocol for mapping and quantifying the potential benefits to public health and well-being from Europe’s blue spaces’, BMJ Open 7(6) doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016188. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full

This paper is open access, so you can read it in full 

Brookfield, K., Ward Thompson, C. and Scott, I. 2017. ‘The uncommon impact of common environmental details on walking in older adults’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14(2), 190 doi: 10.3390/ijerph14020190. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full 

Ward Thompson, C. & Silveirinha de Oliveira, E. 2016. Evidence on Health Benefits of Urban Green Spaces, Chapter 2 in WHO, Urban Green Spaces and Health: a review of evidence. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Ward Thompson, C. 2016. Editorial, Landscape and Health Special Issue. Landscape Research 41(6): 591-597, doi:10.1080/01426397.2016.1196878

Roe, J., Aspinall, P. & Ward Thompson, C. 2016. Understanding Relationships between Health, Ethnicity, Place and the Role of Urban Green Space in Deprived Urban Communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13(7): 681; doi:10.3390/ijerph13070681

Brookfield, K. and Tilley, S. 2016. ‘Using Virtual Street Audits to Understand the Walkability of Older Adults’ Route Choices by Gender and Age’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13(11), 1061 doi: 10.3390/ijerph13111061. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full 

Brookfield, K. and Mead, G. 2016. ‘Physical environments and community reintegration post stroke: qualitative insights from stroke clubs’, Disability & Society doi: 10.1080/09687599.2016.1223606. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full 

Brookfield, K., Tilley, S. and Cox, M. 2016. ‘Informal science learning for older adults’ Science Communication. doi 10.1177/1075547016655358. You can read this paper, in full, via Edinburgh Research Explorer.

Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P., Roe, J., Robertson, L. and Miller, D. 2016. ‘Mitigating stress and supporting health in deprived urban communities: the importance of green space and the social environment’. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13(4): 440; doi:10.3390/ijerph13040440. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full

Curl, A., Ward Thompson, C., Alves, S., and Aspinall, P. ‘Outdoor environmental supportiveness and older people’s quality of life: a personal projects approach’ Journal of Housing for the Elderly. This paper is currently in press

Brookfield, K., Fitzsimons, C., Scott, I., Mead, G., Starr, J., Thin, N., Tinker, A. and Ward Thompson, C. 2015. ‘The home as enabler of more active lifestyles among older people’ Building Research & Information. doi: 10.1080/09613218.2015.1045702 . This paper is open access, so you can read it in full

Curl, A., Ward Thompson, C., and Aspinall, P. 2015. ‘The effectiveness of ‘shared space’ residential street interventions on self-reported activity levels and quality of life for older people’ Landscape and Urban Planning, 139, pp. 117-125. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.02.019. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full

Curl, A., Thompson, C. W., Aspinall, P., and Ormerod, M. 2015. ‘Developing an audit checklist to assess outdoor falls risk’ Proceedings of the ICE: Urban Design and Planning. doi:10.1680/udap.14.00056. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P. and Roe, J. 2014. ‘Access to Green Space in Disadvantaged Urban Communities: Evidence of salutogenic effects based on biomarker and self-report measures of wellbeing’ Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 153, pp. 10-22. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.10.036. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Unt, A-L, Travlou, P. and Bell, S. 2014. ‘Blank Space: Exploring the Sublime Qualities of Urban Wilderness at the Former Fishing Harbour in Tallinn, Estonia’ Landscape Research 39(3), pp. 267-286. doi:10.1080/01426397.2012.742046. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Silveirinha de Oliveira, E., Aspinall, P., Briggs, A., Cummins, C., Leyland, A. H., Mitchell, R., Roe, J. and Ward Thompson, C. 2013. ‘How effective is the Forestry Commission Scotland’s woodland improvement programme Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) at improving psychological well-being in deprived urban communities? A quasi-experimental study’ BMJ Open 3:8. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003648. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full

Ward Thompson, C., Roe, J. and Aspinall, P. 2013. ‘Woodland improvements in deprived urban communities: What impact do they have on people’s activities and quality of life?’ Landscape and Urban Planning 118, pp. 79-89. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.02.001. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Ward Thompson, C., Curl, A., Aspinall, P., Alves, S., and Zuin, A. 2013. ‘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), pp. 1059-1065. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091718. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full

Roe, J., Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P., Brewer, M., Duff, E., Miller, D., Mitchell, R. and Clow, A. 2013. ‘Green Space and Stress: Evidence from Cortisol Measures in Deprived Urban Communities’ International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 10 (9), pp. 4086-4103. doi:10.3390/ijerph10094086. This paper is open access, so you can read it in full

Ward Thompson, C. 2013. ‘Activity, exercise and the planning and design of outdoor spaces’ Journal of Environmental Psychology 34, pp. 79-96. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.01.003. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Ward Thompson, C., Roe, J., Aspinall, P., Mitchell, R., Clow, A. and Miller, D. 2012. ‘More green space is linked to less stress in deprived communities: Evidence from salivary cortisol patterns’ Landscape and Urban Planning 105, pp. 221-229. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.12.015. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Ward Thompson, C. and Aspinall, P. 2011. ‘Natural environments and their impact on activity, health and quality of life’. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being 3 (3), pp 230-260. doi:10.1111/j.1758-0854.2011.01053.x. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Roe, J. and Aspinall, P. 2011. ‘The restorative benefits of walking in urban and rural settings in adults with good and poor mental health’ Health and Place 17(1) pp. 103-113. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.09.003. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Aspinall, P.A, Ward Thompson, C., Alves, S., Sugiyama, T., Vickers, A. and Brice, R. 2010. ‘Preference and relative importance for environmental attributes of neighbourhood open space in older people Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 37(6), pp. 1022–1039.
doi:10.1068/b36024. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Millington, C., Ward Thompson, C., Rowe, D., Aspinall, P., Fitzsimons, C., Nelson, N. and Mutrie, N. 2009. ‘Development of the Scottish Walkability Assessment Tool (SWAT)’ Health and Place 15(2), pp. 474-481. doi:10.1016/jhealthplace.2008.09.007. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Sugiyama, T., Ward Thompson, C. and Alves, S. 2009. ‘Associations between neighborhood open space attributes and quality of life for older people in Britain’ Environment and Behavior 41(1), pp. 3-21. doi:10.1177/0013916507311688. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Bell, S., Montarzino, A., Aspinall, P., Peneze, Z. and Nikodemus, O. 2009. ‘Rural society, social inclusion and landscape change in Central and Eastern Europe: A case study of Latvia’ Sociologia Ruralis 49(3) pp. 295-326. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9523.2009.00480.x. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Travlou, P., Eubanks Owens, P., Ward Thompson, C. and Maxwell, L. 2008. ‘Place mapping with teenagers: locating their territories and documenting their experience of the public realm’Children’s Geographies 6(3), pp. 309–326. doi:10.1080/14733280802184039. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Alves, S., Aspinall, P., Ward Thompson, C., Sugiyama, T., Brice, R. and Vickers, A. 2008. ‘Preferences of Older People for Environmental Attributes of Local Parks: The Use of Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis’ Facilities 26 (11/ 12), 433-453. doi:10.1108/02632770810895705 Selected to be republished in Social Marketing, by SAGE Publications Ltd, February 2013.. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P. and Montarzino, A. 2008. ‘The childhood factor: Adult visits to green places and the significance of childhood experience’ Environment and Behavior 40 (1) pp. 111-143. doi:10.1177/0013916507300119. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online

Sugiyama, T. and Ward Thompson, C. 2007. ‘Older people’s health, outdoor activity and supportiveness of neighbourhood environments’ Landscape and Urban Planning 83, 168–175. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.04.002. This paper is restricted to journal subscribers, but you can read the abstract online