About
Jim's research interests are in geospatial data and analysis to support environmental management, service delivery and public health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has a particular interest in household access to safe drinking-water for public health protection and in geospatial analysis of routine health information systems data. He coordinates the ESRC-funded Water and Waste project, which seeks to support water and waste service delivery in off-grid areas of two cities in Kenya and Ghana, collaborating with research institutions in both countries. He teaches several applied GIS modules at undergraduate and masters level and is currently Deputy Head of School for Research.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Safe water access and public health in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Environmental applications of GIS
- Geospatial analysis for public health, particularly via routine health management information systems
Current research
Jim's research explores water service delivery in off-grid areas of cities in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly via the Water and Waste project, which focuses on Ghana and Kenya. This project seeks to integrate solid waste management within Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). He also has interests in geospatial analysis of health management information systems data, so as to inform health services planning. Increasingly, he is exploring how climatic events may disrupt service delivery, whether health services or water and wastewater services.
Research projects
Active projects
Completed projects
Publications
Supervision
Current PhD Students
External roles and responsibilities
Biography
Jim began his research career by applying GIS techniques to forest management, before moving on to explore geospatial aspects of public health nutrition and food systems in Zimbabwe for his PhD. Since moving to Southampton, he has coordinated multi-disciplinary projects funded by the European Union, NERC, MRC, ESRC, and the Royal Society, collaborating closely with colleagues in Ghana and Kenya in doing so.
Prizes
- UNICEF Best of UNICEF Research (2015)
- ESRC Retail Masters Research Dissertation Programme - Impact Award (2012)
- Unite Ideas #SDGInsights Prize (2017)