GBP 4270 Graduate GIS Researcher (Dorset Greenspaces)

A graduate is required to review existing greenspace datasets and complete a GIS analysis of relative access to greenspace across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. The role will be in Truro, Cornwall, with travel to Dorset. This GBP is available from the end of May 2018 for 6 months

Healthy Places is a two-year programme of activity being delivered in partnership by Public Health Dorset, Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole. The European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter Medical School (UEMS) in Truro is collaborating with Healthy Places on research around the relationships between environments and health. The aims of Healthy Places are:

• To demonstrate how increasing access to greenspace/natural environments can support health and wellbeing locally
• To identify the most effective measures for 'scaling up' the contribution greenspace/natural environments make to health and wellbeing.

To support this aim, Healthy Places would like to quantify the accessibility on foot of greenspace for the population of Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. This will allow us to identify communities where people are less well served by greenspace, and target future interventions to increase access on areas that could benefit most.

This work will interact with UEMS research on the role of greenspace in population health and health inequalities, and how the evidence can translate into local authority policy and programmes (see e.g. ).

The purpose of this role is to review and refine existing greenspace datasets held by the partner organisations and complete a GIS analysis of relative access to greenspace across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. The key tasks for completion are:

1. Create a spatial database of publicly accessible greenspaces across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole
2. Create a routable network to represent public access on foot across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole by merging the Public Rights of Way Network with public highways.
3. Mapping accessibility: All postcodes Pan-Dorset to be assessed against agreed accessibility standards i.e. maximum acceptable walking distances
4. Reporting: Contribute to an academic paper detailing the work and findings

JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose of Role

To complete a spatial analysis of greenspace accessibility across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and collate existing data sets to create a single data set of publicly accessible greenspaces for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.
• Identify and source additional or missing data required
• Digitise public rights of way (PROW) improvement plan data detailing community need for PROW enhancements.
• Create a routable walking network incorporating public highways and public rights of way
• Create digitised access points for accessible greenspaces
• Map accessibility of greenspace at post code level pan-Dorset.
• Contribute to writing reports, presentations and other research outputs.

Training and Development opportunities

• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary academic unit
• Opportunity to gain experience of practical application of GIS skills
• Opportunity to gain experience of working in Public Health and Local Government
• Opportunity to work with a leading research group in the field of environment and human health

Level of Support

Day to day line management will be provided by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, primarily Dr Becca Lovell and Dr Ben Wheeler. Support and guidance on the project will be provided by Public Health Dorset (Healthy Places co-ordinator).

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Attainments/Qualifications

• Recent graduate of UK University in past three years with minimum BSc/BA or equivalent in geography, environmental science or a relevant subject
• Qualification in or demonstrable experience of using GIS

Skills and Understanding

• Thorough understanding of the theory and use of GIS, ideally with ESRI ArcGIS and/or QGIS
• Previous experience of having carried out similar projects working with large datasets in Geographic Information Systems

Behavioural Characteristics/ Personal Qualities and Attributes

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to manage own time and work to deadlines
• Ability to work with a 'remote' project team including stakeholders from Public Health Dorset, Dorset County Council, University of Exeter

• Available to travel occasionally to meet with project partners

Other

• Right to work in the UK for the duration of the internship

Closing Date: 19/04/2018

Interview Date: 04/05/2018

Start Date: Flexible, 21/05/2018 preferable

End Date: 6 months from date of start