About me
My research focuses on understanding exposures to environmental hazards in the indoor and outdoor built environment, and how we can adapt our cities and buildings to be healthier, more energy efficient, and more resilient to future climates. My areas of expertise are in using building physics simulations, data-driven modelling, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate population-level exposure to heat, cold, air pollution, and moisture damage, for example, and quantifying the health consequences of this exposure. I have a BSc in Biological Sciences from Simon Fraser University, Canada, and a BEng in Geomatic Engineering and PhD in Environmental Building Science, both from University College London, UK.
Responsibilities
I am the leader of the Urban Physics Research Group in the Department of Civil Engineering, where we apply a range of methods to understand the role of our urban built environment on our health and energy consumption. We aim to do impactful research that can support the sustainability transition in cities. You can learn more about the Urban Physics Research Group here , as well as about Urban Physics itself here .
I am currently the lead of the Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) international bachelors degree programme. Teaching responsibilities include Introduction to Sustainable Urban Development, Urban Physics, Fundamentals of GIS, and the SUD Bachelors Thesis and Seminar. I also supervise Masters and PhD students – please get in touch if you are interested in studying with us.
I currently act as the Faculty of the Built Environment TENK research integrity advisor.
Research topics
Examples of the research topics I work on are:
- Building physics modelling of indoor environmental quality
- Building stock modelling and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Data-driven modelling of urban environments, for example using data from distributed environmental sensors
- The Global South, climate adaptation, and the health and climate benefits of the clean energy transition.
Selected publications
You can see a full list of my publications here .
Latest publications
Air pollution and the risk of bronchiolitis-related hospital admission in a birth cohort of over 400,000 children born in London
Rammah, A., Stavola, B. D., Hajna, S., Taylor, J., Atilola, G., Cruz, J., Cunningham, S., Macfarlane, A., Milojevic, A. & Hardelid, P., Jun 2026, In: Environmental Epidemiology. 10, 3, e484.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
A synthesis of the systemic impact of remote work on greenhouse gas emissions and health
Espinosa Mireles de Villafranca, A., Ivanova, O., Viitanen, A.-K. & Taylor, J., 1 Oct 2026, In: Sustainable Cities and Society. 149, 107782.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › peer-review
Cleaning and validating longitudinal maternal and child postcode histories from a national healthcare registry for environmental health research in London, UK
Hardelid, P., Atilola, G., Rammah, A., de Stavola, B., Clemens, T., Cunningham, S., Dibben, C., Hajna, S., Macfarlane, A., Milojevic, A., Taylor, J. & Wijlaars, L., 5 Feb 2026, In: International Journal of Population Data Science. 11, 1, p. 1-15 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Community based air pollution measurements in Europe: Opportunities and Challenges
Viitanen, A.-K., Espinosa Mireles de Villafranca, A. & Taylor, J., Apr 2026, In: Atmospheric Pollution Research. 17, 4, 102854.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Commutes to alternative workplaces: GHG emissions and physical activity
Taylor, J., Thoen, L., de Villafranca, A. E. M., Anashin, P., Vanhatalo, J., Milián Bernal, D. & Okkonen, I., 15 Jun 2026, In: Buildings and Cities. 7, 1, p. 722-739 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Commuting on the London Underground and Long-term Health Outcomes: A Cohort Study Using Externally Linked Census Data
Thies, S., Kennedy, C., Dennett, A., Stockton, J., Hurst, J., Taylor, J., Hardelid, P., Shelton, N., Loxham, M. & Horsfall, L., 6 Jul 2026, In: International Journal of Population Data Science. 11, 5Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › Scientific
Eligibility criteria for the UK Winter Fuel Payment: are we targeting the right people?
Wan, K., Taylor, J., Quijal-Zamorano, M., Ballester, J. & Hajat, S., Jun 2026, In: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 80, 6, p. 432-435 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Älykäs hiilineutraali kortteli: RECO 2.0 -hankkeen loppuraportti
Anetjärvi, E., Hirvonen, J., Järventausta, P., Kinnunen, J., Koskela, J., Lastovets, N., Liimatainen, H., Lummi, K., Moradi, S., Mäkinen, J., Sormunen, P., Taylor, J., Valta, J. & Viitanen, A.-K., 2025, Tampereen yliopisto. 180 p. (Tampereen yliopisto. Rakennustekniikka. Tutkimusraportti; no. 9)Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Analysing cold-climate urban heat islands using personal weather station data
Taylor, J., Simpson, C. H., Vanhatalo, J., Sohail, H., Brousse, O. & Heaviside, C., 8 Apr 2025, In: Buildings and Cities. 6, 1, p. 182-200 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Antenatal Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter Pollution and Amoxicillin Dispensing in Infants: National Birth Cohort Study in Scotland
Akaraci, S., Rammah, A., Hart, C., Stavola, B. D., Macfarlane, A., Dibben, C., Taylor, J., Wijlaars, L., Clemens, T., Cunningham, S. & Hardelid, P., 28 Aug 2025, In: International Journal of Population Data Science. 10, 4Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › Scientific