Welcome to the academic website of Michael Widener
I am an Associate Professor of Geography and Planning and Canada Research Chair in Transportation and Health at the University of Toronto – St. George. I am also the Director of the Health Studies Program at University College and hold a cross-appointment in the Division of Epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
My research focuses on understanding how cities shape behaviours that influence our health and well-being.
My projects primarily use advanced geographic data science methods to explore this topic, and I am increasingly interested in the ways time-use data and movement analytics can be used to help us build healthier places. Most of my work has focused on the ways food retail environments drive dietary behaviours, but I also have projects on the ways transportation systems impact access to health-related places, how older adults navigate their neighbourhoods to maintain well-being, and whether data on the built environment can be used to reduce the carbon footprint of the healthcare sector.
If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree with me, please reach out with a short statement about your interests and CV.