Personal profile

Biography

Andy is an Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences and Associate Director for the Norwich Epidemiology Centre. He also serves as an external research associate for the General Medical Council (GMC) and associate editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Previous appointments include research positions at the British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health (Loughborough University) and the UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR; University of Cambridge). Andy is a behavioural epidemiologist with particular interest in understanding the distribution and determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life course. He is a quantitative researcher with established expertise in the pooling and retrospective harmonisation of behavioural, social and health-related data from epidemiological studies.

Current / previous projects:

Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep consortiuum (ProPASS; https://www.propassconsortium.org/)

International Children's Accelerometry Database (ICAD; http://www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/research/studies/icad/)

Creating Active School Environments (CASE; http://www.cedar.iph.cam.ac.uk/case/)

 

 

 

 

Key Research Interests

  • Physical Activity
  • Sedentary behaviour
  • Epidemiology
  • Children and Adolescents
  • Data harmonisation
  • Correlates / Determinants

 

Funding

A novel 24-hour compositional data analysis approach to understand the influence of sleep, sedentary time, and physical activity on children’s and adolescents’ behavioural, psychological, and cognitive health (2018-2019. The Waterloo Foundation - £59 960 (Co-investigator). Lead: Prof Stuart Fairclough (Edge Hill University).

Age-related changes and determinants of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in young people (2018-2021). Academy of Medical Sciences – Springboard, £61 700 (Principal investigator).

Opportunities within the school environment to shift the distribution of activity intensity in adolescents (2013-2016). Department of Health - Policy Research Programme, £324,156. (Co-investigator, 10%; major contribution to grant preparation). Lead: Dr Esther van Sluijs (MRC Epidemiology Unit).

Exploring innovative methodological and technological approaches to understanding and reducing sedentary behaviour in children (Feb-Mar 2013). MRC Centenary Award. £6750 (Principal investigator).

 

 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

External positions

Associate Editor, British Journal of Sports Medicine

Jan 2020 → …

External Research Associate, General Medical Council

Jun 2016 → …

Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity

2015 → …

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or