ProfessorSimon Kingham

Professor Simon Kingham is a leading expert in transport geography, urban mobility, and evidence‑informed transport policy. His research focuses on active transport, sustainable mobility, transport emissions reduction, road safety, urban form, and the health and environmental impacts of transport systems.

He has extensive experience at the research–policy interface, including serving as Chief Science Advisor at Ministry of Transport for six years to May 2024, where he provided strategic scientific advice on national transport planning, infrastructure investment, transport equity, mode shift, and low‑carbon transport transitions. His work has directly informed government approaches to cycling infrastructure, school travel planning, public transport uptake, and transport accessibility.

At the University of Canterbury, Simon leads and contributes to multidisciplinary projects on transport behaviour, mobility justice, public health and transport, urban sustainability, and future cities, working closely with central government, local councils, and community partners. His research is highly applied, with a strong focus on improving real‑world mobility outcomes, reducing emissions, and supporting long‑term transport strategy and policy development.

He supervises postgraduate research across transport geography, mobility and accessibility, environmental planning, and urban futures, and is a frequent contributor to national advisory groups, public commentary, and sector capability building.