ProfessorMalcolm Campbell
Professor
School of Earth and Environment
- ProfessorSchool of Earth and Environment
- +6433694181 (Work)
- Beatrice Tinsley Rm 320
BIO
Professor Malcolm Campbell is a leading quantitative human geographer primarily specialising in health and medical geography. Based at the University of Canterbury (UC), he is the Director of Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora | The GeoHealth Laboratory. He also has expertise in urban and regional analytics, and is the founder of the Regional Analytics Lab.
His research combines geospatial data science, public health analytics, and spatial modelling to better understand and address complex social, environmental, and health inequalities.
Professor Campbell collaborates widely with researchers, government agencies, and international institutions. The GeoHealth Laboratory regularly hosts visiting scholars and fellows, (e.g. Fulbright, Economic and Social Research Council, Churchill, and Erskine fellowships), contributing to a globally connected research network with the GHL being the host laboratory.
RESEARCH EXPERTISE AND FOCUS AREAS
Professor Campbell’s research sits at the intersection of health and place, with a strong emphasis on spatial analytics, policy modelling, and population health.
Key Research Areas
- Heath Geography and Spatial Epidemiology: Analysing how place, environment, and spatial inequalities influence population health outcomes.
- mGeoHealth: Using mobile phone location data (e.g. GPS) to understand human mobility, health behaviours and environmental exposures (the exposome).
- Urban Wellbeing and Liveable Cities: Applying advanced urban analytics and geospatial data, theoretical frameworks, and methodologies to identify drivers of wellbeing, sustainability and equitable cities.
- Housing and Tourism: Investigating the 'disruptive' impact of Airbnb on housing affordability, tourism, and urban systems in New Zealand.
- Inequality: Analysing and mapping social and spatial inequalities in New Zealand and globally.
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES (2026)
(Last updated July 2026)
Masters and PhD supervision available in:
- Social Connection and Social Infrastructure
- Spatio-temporally resolved environmental exposures
- mGeoHealth
- Spatial Microsimulation and policy modelling.
Prospective students interested in health geography, GIS, spatial data science, or public health analytics are encouraged to apply. Please check your eligibility for scholarships, e.g. (Manaaki (Asia-Pacific).) and please read this page before sending an enquiry email https://tinyurl.com/3vx6mbf5
Emerging Research
Professor Campbell is currently working on early-stage GeoAI projects (AI for Good) utilising Big Geospatial Data and exploring how to ethically use AI within public health, extending his work on the digital divide. Malcolm also has emerging work exploring the potential of using AI for Social Investment.
TE WHARE WĀNANGA O WAITAHA - UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY APPOINTMENTS
- ProfessorUniversity of Canterbury, School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Science3 Oct 2011 - present
DEGREES
- Ph.D.University of Sheffield, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary TeachingUniversity of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand26 Mar 2014
FACULTY
- Faculty of Science
GRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISION
- Registered to supervise Master's/Doctoral students
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
- 10 Reduced Inequalities
- 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 3 Good Health and Well Being
- 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
AVAILABILITY
- Media enquiries
- Collaborative research projects
- Consulting & advisory services
- Industry partnerships & innovation
- Policy advice & government consultation