Lecturer in Geographies of Public Health
Biological and Environmental Sciences Stirling
I am a lecturer in Geographies of Health, based in Biological and Environmental Sciences. My research and teaching interests are focused on linking understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between humans and biological and environmental systems. I am particularly interested in socioeconomic inequalities and the impacts these inequalities have on people's underlying physiology and health and how we address these inequalities. Please see the Research tab for more details.
Brief Bio
I studied Behavioural Ecology at degree and PhD level before changing my focus to human health and Social Epidemiology/Public Health in 2010 when I joined the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow on a Career Development Fellowship. In 2013 I moved to the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research & Policy (SCPHRP), University of Edinburgh, as the Research Fellow and Lead for the Working Age/Adult Life Working Group. In January 2016, I moved to become Lecturer in Social Epidemiology and Public Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences & Sport, University of Stirling and then moved to Biological and Environmental Sciences in May 2021. I am a member of the Environmental Sustainability and Human Health and Social Surveys and Social Statistics research groups.
Deputy Chair, Faculty Athena SWAN Implementation Group
Deputy Chief Examiner (Biology)
External Examiner, Social Epidemiology MSc, UCL
University College London
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/…epidemiology-msc
Co-Investigator - Reconciling Floods and Droughts
Hydronation Catalyst Fund Project, Reconciling Floods and Droughts
Pathway Rep (Human Geography, Environment and Urban Planning), Scottish Graduate School for Social Sciences
Executive Editor, Longitudinal and Lifecourse Studies journal
https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/…lcs-overview.xml
Honorary Treasurer for the Society for Longitudinal and Lifecourse Studies (SLLS)
Co-lead, Extremes in Science and Society research programme
https://extremeevents.stir.ac.uk/
General University Ethics Panel - Designated Authority for Division
My research interests are in linking understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between humans and biological and environmental systems, with a focus on socioeconomic inequalities and the impacts these inequalities have on people's underlying physiology and health and how we address these inequalities.
Specific areas of interests include:
PhD Supervision
I am keen to supervise students for any research projects that include linking social and economic data (work, housing, education etc.) with health data, with the aim of helping us better understand and reduce health inequalities in society. My expertise is predominantly in quantitative methods and using biomarkers to assess physiological health, so this might include primary data collection and/or secondary data analysis of existing datasets. We already have a vast array of cohort and survey data available to analyse throughout the UK such as Understanding Society and the Scottish and English Health Surveys. However, depending on the research question I would also be happy to discuss alternative methods such as qualitative or mixed methods approaches. For example, some of my research and advocacy work looks at engagement and empowerment of community and activist groups in trying to improve health and reduce health inequalities and has utilised qualitative methods. As a PhD student, you would be based in Biological and Environmental Sciences.
Please contact me if you'd like to discuss more.
Current and past student projects:
Inequalities in Allostatic Load through an Intersectional Lens
Allostatic load as a risk predictor for mortality
Importance of context in socioeconomic patterning of allostatic load
Socioeconomic patterning of public transport food adverts
Evaluability Assessment of the Health Issues in the Community, a community-led training programme
Sustainable Plastic Attitudes to benefit Communities and their EnvironmentS
PI: Professor Richard Quilliam
Funded by: Natural Environment Research Council
–
Covid19 & Community Resilience With A Focus On Preparedness Flooding
PI: Dr Tony Robertson
Funded by: Scottish Flood Forum (SFF)
–
Building a Movement: Community Development and Community Resilience in Response to Extreme Events
PI: Dr Sandra Engstrom
Funded by: National Centre for Resilience Scotland
–
SAS New Clinical Response Model
PI: Dr Kathleen Stoddart
Funded by: Scottish Ambulance Service
–
Article
A glossary for social-to-biological research
Robertson T, Benzeval M, Betzer M, Booker C, Castagné R, Delpierre C, Gallagher I, Kelly-Irving M, McCrory C, Morris T, Narimatsu E & Paval R (2024) A glossary for social-to-biological research. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, pp. 1-47. https://doi.org/10.1332/17579597y2024d000000032
Editorial
Robertson T (2024) Life is anything but static. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 15 (3), pp. 283-285. https://doi.org/10.1332/17579597y2024d000000025
Editorial
Robertson T (2024) Life at the intersections. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 15 (2), pp. 136-138. https://doi.org/10.1332/17579597y2024d000000013
Website Content
Is there a right to health for the people of Scotland?
Robertson A (2024) Is there a right to health for the people of Scotland?. [Blog post] 15.02.2024. https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/blog/opinion/is-there-a-right-to-health-for-the-people-of-scotland/
Editorial
Robertson T (2023) What future are we creating?. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies. https://doi.org/10.1332/17579597y2023d000000006
Editorial
Robertson T (2023) Families, finances and status. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, pp. 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1332/175795923x16920108505186
Article
Oliver DM, McDougall CW, Robertson T, Grant B, Hanley N & Quilliam RS (2023) Self-reported benefits and risks of open water swimming to health, wellbeing and the environment: Cross-sectional evidence from a survey of Scottish swimmers. Meena DK (Editor) PLOS ONE, 18 (8), p. e0290834. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290834
Article
Fisher S, Bennett C, Hennessy D, Finès P, Jessri M, Bader Eddeen A, Frank J, Robertson T, Taljaard M, Rosella LC, Sanmartin C, Jha P, Leyland A & Manuel DG (2022) Comparison of mortality hazard ratios associated with health behaviours in Canada and the United States: a population-based linked health survey study. BMC Public Health, 22 (1), Art. No.: 478. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12849-y
Article
Socio-economic patterning of food and drink advertising at public transport stops in Edinburgh, UK
Robertson T, Jepson R, Lambe K, Olsen J & Thornton L (2022) Socio-economic patterning of food and drink advertising at public transport stops in Edinburgh, UK. Public Health Nutrition, 25 (5), pp. 1131-1139. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021004766
Other
All in this Together? The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Inequalities in Glasgow
Gallova E, Langdon M, Laughlin S, Quinn N & Robertson T (2022) All in this Together? The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Inequalities in Glasgow. People's Health Movement Scotland. Glasgow. https://peopleshealthmovementscotland.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/glasgow-health-inquiry.pdf
Article
McDougall C, Hanley N, Quilliam R, Bartie P, Robertson T, Griffiths M & Oliver D (2021) Neighbourhood blue space and mental health: A nationwide ecological study of antidepressant medication prescribed to older adults. Landscape and Urban Planning, 214, Art. No.: 104132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104132
Article
Theory and practice of building community resilience to extreme events
Robertson T, Docherty P, Millar F, Ruck A & Engstrom S (2021) Theory and practice of building community resilience to extreme events. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 59, Art. No.: 102253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102253
Website Content
A thread usually breaks where it is thinnest – lessons for building communities back better
Robertson T & Engstrom S (2021) A thread usually breaks where it is thinnest – lessons for building communities back better. University of Stirling Public Policy Blog [Blog post] 07.05.2021. https://policyblog.stir.ac.uk/2021/05/07/a-thread-usually-breaks-where-it-is-thinnest-lessons-for-building-communities-back-better/
Article
Olsen JR, Patterson C, Caryl FM, Robertson T, Mooney SJ, Rundle AG, Mitchell R & Hilton S (2021) Exposure to unhealthy product advertising: Spatial proximity analysis to schools and socio-economic inequalities in daily exposure measured using Scottish Children's individual-level GPS data. Health and Place, 68, Art. No.: 102535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102535
Consultancy Report
Covid-19, Community Resilience Survey and Flooding Preparedness
Robertson T & Engstrom S (2020) Covid-19, Community Resilience Survey and Flooding Preparedness. The Scottish Flood Forum. Edinburgh.
Article
Fisher S, Bennett C, Hennessy D, Robertson T, Leyland A, Taljaard M, Sanmartin C, Jha P, Frank J, Tu JV, Rosella LC, Wang J, Tait C & Manuel DG (2020) International population-based health surveys linked to outcome data: A new resource for public health and epidemiology. Health Reports, 31 (7), pp. 12-23. https://doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202000700002-eng
Newspaper / Magazine
From bush fires to terrorism: how communities become resilient
Robertson T & Engstrom S (2020) From bush fires to terrorism: how communities become resilient. The Conversation. 21.01.2020. https://theconversation.com/from-bush-fires-to-terrorism-how-communities-become-resilient-129932
Policy Document
Building a Movement: Community Development and Community Resilience in Response to Extreme Events
Engstrom S, Docherty PJ & Robertson T (2019) Building a Movement: Community Development and Community Resilience in Response to Extreme Events. University of Stirling. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/public-policy-hub/policy-briefings/
Project Report
Engstrom S, Docherty P & Robertson T (2019) Building a Movement: Community Development and Community Resilience in Response to Extreme Events - End of Project Report. National Centre for Resilience. Stirling, UK. https://extremeevents.stir.ac.uk/files/2019/12/Community-Resilience-to-Extreme-Events-Final-Report-Dec-2019.pdf
Article
Ellaway A, Dundas R, Robertson T & Shiels PG (2019) More miles on the clock: Neighbourhood stressors are associated with telomere length in a longitudinal study. PLOS ONE, 14 (3), Art. No.: e0214380. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214380
Policy Document
Scottish Ambulance Service New Clinical Response Model
Stoddart K, Cowie J, Robertson T, Bugge C, Andreis F & Donaldson J (2019) Scottish Ambulance Service New Clinical Response Model. University of Stirling. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/public-policy-hub/policy-briefings/
Research Report
The Scottish Ambulance Service New Clinical Response Model Evaluation Report
Stoddart K, Cowie J, Robertson T, Bugge C, Donaldson J & Andreis F (2019) The Scottish Ambulance Service New Clinical Response Model Evaluation Report [NCRM report for SAS]. Scottish Ambulance Service. Stirling: University of Stirling. https://scottishamb-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/scottish-ambulance-service-clinical-model-credited-with-saving-43-percent-more-lives
Article
Robertson T, Beveridge G & Bromley C (2017) Allostatic load as a predictor of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the general population: Evidence from the Scottish Health Survey. PLoS ONE, 12 (8), Art. No.: e0183297. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183297
Book Chapter
A Public Health Politics That is a People's Health
Robertson T, Marsden S & Kapilashrami A (2017) A Public Health Politics That is a People's Health. In: Hassan G & Barrow S (eds.) A Nation Changed? The SNP and Scotland Ten Years On. Edinburgh: Luath Press. http://www.luath.co.uk/a-nation-changed.html
Article
Belford M, Robertson T & Jepson R (2017) Using evaluability assessment to assess local community development health programmes: a Scottish case-study. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 17, Art. No.: 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-017-0334-4
Article
Insomnia symptoms as a cause of type 2 diabetes Incidence: a 20 year cohort study
Green MJ, Espie C, Popham F, Robertson T & Benzeval M (2017) Insomnia symptoms as a cause of type 2 diabetes Incidence: a 20 year cohort study. BMC Psychiatry, 17, Art. No.: 94. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1268-4
Book Chapter
A right to health for the people of Scotland
Kapilashrami A, Marsden S & Robertson T (2016) A right to health for the people of Scotland. In: Barrow S & Small M (eds.) Scotland 2021. Edinburgh: Bella Caledonia/Ekklesia, pp. 81-86. http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2016/12/21/scotland-2021-3/
Article
Social movements and public health advocacy in action: the UK people’s health movement
Kapilashrami A, Smith K, Fustukian S, Eltanani MK, Laughlin S, Robertson T, Muir J, Gallova E & Scandrett E (2016) Social movements and public health advocacy in action: the UK people’s health movement. Journal of Public Health, 38 (3), pp. 413-416. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdv085
Newspaper / Magazine
Sick Scotland: SNP plans to deal with health inequality are lukewarm at best
Robertson T, Kapilashrami A & Smith K (2016) Sick Scotland: SNP plans to deal with health inequality are lukewarm at best. The Conversation. 25.05.2016. https://theconversation.com/sick-scotland-snp-plans-to-deal-with-health-inequality-are-lukewarm-at-best-59294
Article
Robertson T & Watts E (2016) The importance of age, sex and place in understanding socioeconomic inequalities in allostatic load: Evidence from the Scottish Health Survey (2008–2011). BMC Public Health, 16 (1), Art. No.: 126. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2796-4
Commentary
Origins of heath inequalities: The case for allostatic load
Robertson T (2016) Origins of heath inequalities: The case for allostatic load. Commentary on: Delpierre C, Barboza-Solis C, Torrisani J, Darnaudery M, Bartley M, Blane D, Kelly-Irving M (2016) Allostatic load as a measure of social embodiment: conceptual and empirical considerations. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 7 (1), pp. 80-85.. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 7 (1), pp. 92-96. http://www.llcsjournal.org/index.php/llcs/issue/view/34; https://doi.org/10.14301/llcs.v7i1.325
Article
Seven Key Investments for Health Equity across the Lifecourse: Scotland versus the rest of the UK
Frank JW, Bromley C, Doi L, Estrade M, Jepson R, McAteer J, Robertson T, Treanor M & Williams A (2015) Seven Key Investments for Health Equity across the Lifecourse: Scotland versus the rest of the UK. Social Science and Medicine, 140, pp. 136-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.07.007
Article
Robertson T, Benzeval M, Whitley E & Popham F (2015) The role of material, psychosocial and behavioral factors in mediating the association between socioeconomic position and allostatic load (measured by cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory markers). Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 45, pp. 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2014.10.005
Research Report
The nature of employment and excess mortality in Glasgow and Scotland
Robertson T, Estrade M, Jepson R, Muir G & Skivington K (2015) The nature of employment and excess mortality in Glasgow and Scotland. NHS Health Scotland. Edinburgh. http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/27303-The%20nature%20of%20employment%20and%20excess%20mortality%20in%20Glasgow%20and%20Scotland.pdf
Research Report
Jepson R, Estrade M, Robertson R & Robertson T (2014) Meta-synthesis of findings from evaluations and qualitative interviews of work involving community food and its impact on mental health and wellbeing. NHS Health Scotland. Edinburgh. http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/23247-RE004FinalReport1314.pdf
Article
Gender and telomere length: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Gardner M, Bann D, Wiley L, Cooper R, Hardy R, Nitsch D, Martin-Ruiz C, Shiels PG, Sayer AA, Barbieri M, Bekaert S, Bischoff C, Brooks-Wilson A, Chen W & Robertson T (2014) Gender and telomere length: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Experimental Gerontology, 51, pp. 15-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2013.12.004
Article
Robertson T, Popham F & Benzeval M (2014) Socioeconomic position across the lifecourse & allostatic load: data from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 cohort study. BMC Public Health, 14 (1), Art. No.: 184. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-184
Article
Do mismatches between pre- and post-natal environments influence adult physiological functioning?
Robertson T & Benzeval M (2014) Do mismatches between pre- and post-natal environments influence adult physiological functioning?. PLoS ONE, 9 (1), Art. No.: e86953. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086953
Article
Is socioeconomic status associated with biological aging as measured by telomere length?
Robertson T, Batty GD, Der G, Fenton C, Shiels PG & Benzeval M (2013) Is socioeconomic status associated with biological aging as measured by telomere length?. Epidemiologic Reviews, 35 (1), pp. 98-111. https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxs001
Article
Phillips AC, Robertson T, Carroll D, Der G, Shiels PG, McGlynn LM & Benzeval M (2013) Do symptoms of depression predict telomere length? Evidence from the west of Scotland twenty-07 study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75 (3), pp. 288-96. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e318289e6b5
Article
Is telomere length a biomarker for aging: cross-sectional evidence from the west of Scotland?
Der G, Batty GD, Benzeval M, Deary I, Green MJ, McGlynn LM, McIntyre A, Robertson T & Shiels PG (2012) Is telomere length a biomarker for aging: cross-sectional evidence from the west of Scotland?. PLoS ONE, 7 (9), Art. No.: e45166. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045166
Article
Is telomere length socially patterned? Evidence from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study
Robertson T, Batty GD, Der G, Green MJ, McGlynn LM, McIntyre A, Shiels PG & Benzeval M (2012) Is telomere length socially patterned? Evidence from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study. PLoS ONE, 7 (7), Art. No.: e41805. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0041805
Article
Maxwell F, McGlynn LM, Muir HC, Talwar D, Benzeval M, Robertson T, Roxburgh CS, McMillan DC, Horgan PG & Shiels PG (2011) Telomere attrition and decreased fetuin-A levels indicate accelerated biological aging and are implicated in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Clinical Cancer Research, 17 (17), pp. 5573-5581. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-3271
Article
Snook RR, Robertson T, Crudgington HS & Ritchie MG (2005) Experimental manipulation of sexual selection and the evolution of courtship song in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Behavior Genetics, 35 (3), pp. 245-255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-005-3217-0
