The Environment & Policy Laboratory aims to increase physical activity through environmental improvements and public policy. We use a variety of cutting-edge measurement techniques including a NASA-developed imaging system to document neighborhood attributes, accelerometry to objectively measure physical activity, and mobile phone apps to quantify daily lived experiences. Data on attributes such as community walkability, access to affordable healthy food, and utilization of parks and playgrounds are used to explain how people interact with their environments, and how this exposure affects their physical activity, health, and wellness across the lifespan. Working with community organizations, city planners and policy makers, our ultimate goal is to help eliminate health inequities.

Learn more at epl.kines.umich.edu.

Seeking Motivated PhD student: Dr. Natalie Colabianchi, Professor in the School of Kinesiology, and the Director of the Environment and Policy Laboratory at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, is currently seeking a motivated doctoral student to work on research related to the built environment and health outcomes for Fall 2023! Details.