Geography

Dr Tim Walker

Dr Tim Walker

Research Fellow

 T.W.Walker@exeter.ac.uk

 Peter Lanyon 

 

Peter Lanyon Building, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK

Overview

Tim is a Research Fellow at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH). With expertise in social geography and a focus on qualitative methods. Tim works on collaborative, interdisciplinary, and impactful research projects. Involving the social housing sector, voluntary organizations, and healthcare sectors at both local and national levels.

Qualifications

2016: PhD titled ‘Geographies of Risk, Uncertainty and Ambiguity in Catchment Management’. Exeter University, Centre for Geography, Environment and Society.

2010: MSc in Rural Social Science Research (Distinction). Newcastle University, Centre for Rural Economy.

2008: BA in Geography. Swansea University.

Career

Tim earned his BA in Geography from Swansea University in 2008, followed by an MSc in Rural Social Science Research (accredited by ESRC) at Newcastle University's Centre for Rural Economy. During his time there, he contributed to research projects in collaboration with organizations like the Northern Rural Network, Campaign to Protect Rural England, and Durham Rural Community Council.

Doctoral Studies: In 2011, Tim pursued his PhD studies at Exeter University under an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded studentship as part of the South West Doctoral Training Centre (SWDTC) partnership. Based in the Geography department on the Cornwall campus, his research focused on understanding the risks and uncertainties in catchment management and how environmental partnerships navigate them. Tim played a pivotal role in coordinating the Loe Pool Forum environmental partnership from 2016 to 2020 and authored the Catchment Management Plan as part of his doctoral work.

Postdoctoral Work: After completing his PhD, Tim engaged in diverse research and impact-oriented projects with Cornwall's voluntary, healthcare, and digital sectors. His work involved collaborating with Volunteer Cornwall to enhance volunteer recruitment, training, and retention strategies. Additionally, he partnered with Age UK to explore and test innovative digital mapping solutions for the community transport sector. Tim's efforts in these areas led to his role as a Research Fellow on the Smartline project.

Research Fellow Role: Tim served as a Research Fellow on the Smartline project, a collaborative research and innovation program led by the University of Exeter in partnership with Coastline Housing, Cornwall Council, South West Academic Health Science Network (SWAHSN), and Volunteer Cornwall. The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council. In this role, Tim's primary responsibility was to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in developing new products, services, and processes to enhance people’s health and wellbeing. He also led several research studies on volunteering, digital inclusion, and the feasibility of sensor systems to improve homes and health in social housing.

Current Position: Presently, Tim is actively involved in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded SenseWell project. This project focuses on conducting a feasibility study concerning the use of home environment sensor systems to enhance independent living services.

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Research

Research interests

Tim's current research is centered on assessing the feasibility and societal benefits of home environment sensor systems aimed at enhancing health outcomes within social housing.

Projects/Funding

Funder: Shared Prosperity Fund
Project Title: CommunitySense
Date: 2023-2025
Funding Figure: £264,457.34
Summary: CommunitySense project examines the feasibility of sensor-based systems to enable independent living.

Funder: EPSRC Impact Co-Creation Funding
Project Title: Sensor systems for healthier social housing: a social return on investment toolkit
Date: 2023-2024
Funding Figure: £113,558.63
Summary: Developing a social return on investment toolkit for housing associations as part of the sensor systems for healthier social housing project.

Funder: EPSRC
Project Title: SenseWell
Date: 2023-2025
Funding Figure: £549,239.90
Summary: SenseWell project utilises high temporal resolution sensor data to support independent living.

Funder: ERDF
Project Title: Smartline Extension
Date: 2021-2023

Funder: ERDF
Project Title: Smartline
Date: 2017-2021
Summary: Tim worked as a Research Fellow on Smartline, a project exploring how technology can improve social housing communities' wellbeing and support the growth of the eWellbeing SME sector in Cornwall.

Funder: ESRC
Project Title: Knowledge Exchange Fellowship
Date: 2017
Funding Figure: £24,319
Summary: 'TAP-MAPPING – enabling innovation in the community transport sector' aimed to realise impact from research on digital routing technologies for the community transport sector, collaborating with Age UK Cornwall and Travel Time.

Funder: Innovation, Impact and Business Proof of Concept Award
Project Title: I.MAP.CARE
Date: 2016
Funding Figure: £12,688
Summary: Investigating the potential of iGeolise Travel Time technology for the community transport sector.

Funder: ESRC IAA
Project Title: Knowledge Exchange Fellowship
Date: 2015 - 2016
Summary: Tim accelerated impact from CGES research on volunteer recruitment, training, and retention in the health and social care sector, embedded at Age UK Cornwall and Volunteer Cornwall.

Funder: UoE Graduate Placement
Project Title: Farm and Resilience Management (FARM)
Date: 2014
Summary: Investigating climate change risks to biodiversity on the Lizard Peninsula and constraints to implementing land management.

Funder: SWDTC Work Placement
Project Title: National Trust, Helston
Date: 2013
Funding Figure: £6000
Summary: Delivering Loe Pool Forum's community engagement agenda during a match-funded SWDTC Work Placement at the National Trust.

Funder: Miller Prize
Project Title:
Date: 2010
Funding Figure: £500
Summary: Awarded the Miller Prize as the highest achieving research student on the ESRC accredited MSc research training programme at Newcastle University.

Funder: CRE Studentship
Project Title:
Date: 2010
Funding Figure: £2,000
Summary: Awarded a postgraduate studentship for living costs and funding for the ESRC Survey Skills Programme at Newcastle University's Centre for Rural Economy.

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Publications

Journal articles

Walker T, Buckingham SA, Poole R, Elliott LR, Menneer T, Tu G, Morrissey K (2024). Telephone-Based Training Intervention for Using Digital Communication Technologies for Social Housing Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Acceptability Evaluation. JMIR Form Res, 8 Abstract.  Author URL.
Buckingham S, Tu G, Elliott L, Poole R, Walker T, Bland E, Morrissey K (2023). Digital competence and psychological wellbeing in a social housing community: a repeated survey study. BMC Public Health, 23(1). Abstract.
Buckingham SA, Walker T, Morrissey K (2022). The feasibility and acceptability of digital technology for health and wellbeing in social housing residents in Cornwall: a qualitative scoping study. DIGITAL HEALTH, 8, 205520762210741-205520762210741. Abstract.
Williams AJ, Menneer T, Sidana M, Walker T, Maguire K, Mueller M, Paterson C, Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Seymour E, et al (2021). Fostering Engagement with Health and Housing Innovation: Development of Participant Personas in a Social Housing Cohort. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 7(2), e25037-e25037. Abstract.
Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Walker T, Fish R (2021). More than sweat equity: Young people as volunteers in conservation work. Journal of Rural Studies, 81, 78-88.
Colebrooke L, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Walker T (2021). ‘We’re on the edge’: Cultures of care and Universal Credit. Social & Cultural Geography, 24(1), 86-103.
Walker T, Menneer T, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Williams AJ, Mueller M, Taylor T (2020). Determinants of Volunteering Within a Social Housing Community. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 33(1), 188-200. Abstract.
Walker T, Esmene S, Colebrooke L, Leyshon C, Leyshon M (2020). Digital possibilities and social mission in the voluntary sector: the case of a community transport organisation in the UK. Voluntary Sector Review, 11(1), 59-77. Abstract.
Williams AJ, Menneer T, Sidana M, Walker T, Maguire K, Mueller M, Paterson C, Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Seymour E, et al (2020). Fostering Engagement with Health and Housing Innovation: Development of Participant Personas in a Social Housing Cohort (Preprint). Abstract.

Chapters

Walker T, Leyshon C (2017). Resilience to what and for whom in landscape management. In  (Ed) Governing for Resilience in Vulnerable Places, 38-56. Abstract.

Conferences

Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Walker T (In Press). Guided Conversations: Findings and Social Impact.
Walker T, Buckingham S, Morrissey K (In Press). The feasibility and acceptability of digital technology for health and wellbeing in social housing communities in Cornwall: a qualitative scoping study. Society for Social Medicine & Population Health 64th Annual Scientific meeting: 9-11 September 2020, virtual conference. Abstract.
Walker T, Menneer T, Tu G, Mueller M, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Morrissey K, Bland E, Buckingham S (2022). P44 Smarter social housing: user perspectives on technology adoption for healthy homes. Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts.
Walker T, Menneer T, Tu G, Mueller M, Leyshon C, Leyshon M, Morrissey K, Bland E (2022). Smarter social housing: user perspectives on technology adoption for healthy homes and health equity. European Health Economics Association: Health economics for sustainable welfare systems. 5th - 8th Jul 2022. Abstract.
Williams A, Menneer T, Sidani M, Walker T, Maguire K, Mueller M, Paterson C, Leyshon M, Leyshon C, Seymour E, et al (2020). Using machine learning clustering techniques to support the understanding of populations and inform action. Public Health England Research and Science Conference - Application of scientific methods to improve and protect health. Abstract.
Walker T (2019). Digitising person centred conversations: methodological and theoretical reflections. International Social Innovation Research Conference: Local Solutions to Global Challenges. 2nd Sep 2019 - 4th Sep 2020. Abstract.
Taylor T, Bland E, Walker T (2017). Smartline - Smart wellbeing inspired by the community. Independence Day - Maximising Technology, Driving Independence, Enjoying Life. 4th - 4th Jul 2017.

Reports

Walker T (2017). Cober Catchment Management Plan 2017 - 2027. National Trust,  https://loepoolforum.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/cober-catchment-management-review-2017-2027-plan.pdf, National Trust. 78 pages. Abstract.
Walker T (2010). Humshaugh Community Shop: A case study of a successful community shop., Centre for Rural Economy, Newcastle University. Abstract.

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