Dr Jonathan Olsen
Principal Research Fellow
Institute for Social Science Research
+61 7 334 67812
Researcher biography
Dr Jon Olsen is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Social Science, The University of Queensland. He serves as Director of URBANiQ: Urban Intelligence for Healthy & Equitable Places @ The University of Queensland, the AURIN UQ-Node, and leads research focused on place and health inequalities. His work explores how the built and natural environments, along with urban planning policies, influence health outcomes and disparities. Jon is also committed to advancing understanding of the intersections between human health and planetary health.
He is Co-I of the NIHR Global Health Research Unit in Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Inequalities (SEDHI) and the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme-funded Orienting Policy Towards Inequality Minimising Actions (OPTIMA) project, a systems science approach to 20-minute neighbourhood policy and evaluation.
Jon is Senior Editor of the new journal Urban Transitions, Editorial Board Member of Wellbeing, Space and Society, and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, UK.
Journal Articles
Del Rosario, Lauren, Astell-Burt, Thomas, Olsen, Jonathan R., Thompson, Susan, Mitchell, Richard and Feng, Xiaoqi (2025). Walkable by nature? Adding green and blue space to walkability indices and assessment of socioeconomic inequalities. Environmental Research, 284 122278, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122278
Hepburn, Jess, Olsen, Jonathan R., Mitchell, Richard, Astell-Burt, Thomas, Feng, Xiaoqi and Caryl, Fiona (2025). Park types and equity: Who has access to what? A national assessment of multidimensional park qualities and socioeconomic disparities across Local Authorities in Great Britain. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 112 128930, 128930-112. doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128930
Calderon, Micaela, Campbell, Mhairi, Kopasker, Daniel, Borbor-Cordova, Mercy J., Wells, Valerie, Niedzwiedz, Claire, Rojeab Bravo, Batul, de Sousa Filho, J. Firmino, Broadbent, Philip, Olsen, Jonathan R. and Katikireddi, S. Vittal (2025). The impacts of Payment for Ecosystem Services programmes on health and wellbeing: a systematic review protocol. NIHR Open Research, 5, 1-14. doi: 10.3310/nihropenres.13928.1
Anderson, Martin, Letina, Srebrenka, McCann, Mark, Milicev, Jelena, Dibben, Grace, MacDonald, Abi, Mitchell, Kirstin, Moore, Laurence, Olsen, Jonathan R., Palmer, Victoria J., Rigby, Benjamin P., Simpson, Sharon A., Thomson, Meigan and Long, Emily (2025). Social network characteristics associated with mid-to-older aged adults’ co-engagement in physical activity. PLoS One, 20 (5) e0319981, 1-19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319981
Niedzwiedz, Claire L., Olsen, Jonathan R., Rizeq, Jala, Afework, Tsion, Hill-Harding, Chiara K. V., Shaw, Richard J., Thomas, Rhian, Kariuki, Symon M., Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal, Weaver, Andrew J., Martin, Gina, Parr, Hester and Papies, Esther K. (2025). Coming to terms with climate change: a glossary for climate change impacts on mental health and well-being. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 79 (4), 295-301. doi: 10.1136/jech-2024-222716
Carr, Alistair L., Broadbent, Philip, Ho, Frederick K., Jani, Bhautesh, Olsen, Jonathan R., Wells, Valerie and Mair, Frances (2025). Associations of built environment features with multimorbidity: A systematic review protocol. Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity, 15, 1-10. doi: 10.1177/26335565251333278
Olsen, Jonathan R., Niedzwiedz, Claire, Nicholls, Natalie, Wheeler, Benedict W., Ho, Frederick K. and Pell, Jill P. (2025). Sociodemographic and geographic inequalities in exposure to projected hot and extreme summer days in England: a nationwide socio-spatial analysis. Environment International, 197 109351, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109351
Olsen, Jonathan R., Niedzwiedz, Claire L., Dundas, Ruth, Rizeq, Jala, Baranyi, Gergő, Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal and Pell, Jill (2025). Linkages between socioeconomic inequalities, pro-environmental behaviours, climate change concerns and experiences, and wellbeing outcomes in England. Sustainable Environment, 11 (1) 2500182, 1. doi: 10.1080/27658511.2025.2500182
Pollack, Roxana, Olsen, Jonathan R., Heppenstall, Alison, Hoehn, Andreas, Boyd, Jennifer, Hardy, Vicki Ponce, Littlejohn, Jennifer, Stevenson, Amy, Mitchell, Richard, Meier, Petra and Stokes, Jonathan (2024). How could 20-minute neighbourhoods impact health and health inequalities? A policy scoping review. BMC Public Health, 24 (1) 3426, 1-16. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20928-5
Olsen, Jonathan R., Whitley, Elise, Long, Emily, Rigby, Benjamin P., Macdonald, Laura, Dibben, Grace O., Palmer, Victoria J., Benzeval, Michaela, Mitchell, Kirstin, McCann, Mark, Anderson, Martin, Thomson, Meigan, Moore, Laurence and Simpson, Sharon A. (2024). Individual, social and area level factors associated with older people's walking: Analysis of an UK household panel study (Understanding Society). Social Science and Medicine, 358 117083, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117083
Caryl, Fiona, McCrorie, Paul, Olsen, Jonathan R. and Mitchell, Richard (2024). Use of natural environments is associated with reduced inequalities in child mental wellbeing: A cross-sectional analysis using global positioning system (GPS) data. Environment International, 190 108847, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108847
Olsen, Jonathan R., Nicholls, Natalie, Whitley, Elise and Mitchell, Richard (2024). Association between local amenities, travel behaviours and urban planning: A spatial analysis of a nationwide UK household panel study. Journal of Transport and Health, 36 101784, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101784
Casais, Gustavo, Guimarães, Nathalia Sernizon, Cortes, Taísa Rodrigues, Pescarini, Julia, Rebouças de Magalhães, Poliana, Wells, Valerie, de Sousa Filho, José Firmino, Delgado Neves, Danielson Jorge, Shimonovich, Michal, Olsen, Jonathan R., de Carvalho Neto, Edgar Marcelino, Cooper, Philip, Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal, Emanuel, Lucas, Andrade, Roberto F. S., Ferreira dos Santos, Gervasio and Barreto, Mauricio L. (2024). Wildfire, deforestation and health in tropical rainforest areas: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 14 (5) e082381, 1-6. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082381
Bulloch, Marissa and Olsen, Jonathan R. (2024). Exploring young people’s views of their local area related to the 20-minute neighbourhood policy: a national cross-sectional study. Cities and Health, 8 (6), 1081-1093. doi: 10.1080/23748834.2024.2315804
Olsen, Jonathan R., Caryl, Fiona, Nicholls, Natalie, Smith, Melody, McCrorie, Paul and Mitchell, Richard (2023). Inequalities in neighbourhood features within children's 20-minute neighbourhoods and variation in time spent locally, measured using GPS. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 5 100174, 100174. doi: 10.1016/j.wss.2023.100174
Stevenson, Lorna A., Maani, Nason and Olsen, Jonathan R. (2023). Introducing critical accounting for governance as a tool in exploring the commercial determinants of health. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 12 (1) 8128, 8128-1. doi: 10.34172/ijhpm.2023.8128
Nicholls, Natalie, Caryl, Fiona, Olsen, Jonathan R. and Mitchell, Richard (2022). Neighbourhood natural space and the narrowing of socioeconomic inequality in years of life lost: a cross-sectional ecological analysis of the Scottish Burden of Disease. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 76 (12), 976-983. doi: 10.1136/jech-2022-219111
Olsen, Jonathan R., Thornton, Lukar, Tregonning, Grant and Mitchell, Richard (2022). Nationwide equity assessment of the 20-min neighbourhood in the scottish context: a socio-spatial proximity analysis of residential locations. Social Science & Medicine, 315 115502, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115502
Whitley, Elise, Olsen, Jonathan and Benzeval, Michaela (2022). Impact of subjective and objective neighbourhood characteristics and individual socioeconomic position on allostatic load: a cross-sectional analysis of an all-age UK household panel study. Health and Place, 78 102930, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102930
Olsen, Jonathan R., Nicholls, Natalie, Panter, Jenna, Burnett, Hannah, Tornow, Michael and Mitchell, Richard (2022). Trends and inequalities in distance to and use of nearest natural space in the context of the 20-min neighbourhood: a 4-wave national repeat cross-sectional study, 2013 to 2019. Environmental Research, 213 113610, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113610
Olsen, Jonathan R., Nicholls, Natalie, Caryl, Fiona, Mendoza, Juan Orjuela, Panis, Luc Int, Dons, Evi, Laeremans, Michelle, Standaert, Arnout, Lee, Duncan, Avila-Palencia, Ione, de Nazelle, Audrey, Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark and Mitchell, Richard (2022). Day-to-day intrapersonal variability in mobility patterns and association with perceived stress: a cross-sectional study using GPS from 122 individuals in three European cities. SSM - Population Health, 19 101172, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101172
Olsen, Jonathan R., Caryl, Fiona M., McCrorie, Paul and Mitchell, Richard (2022). Socioeconomic inequality in Scottish children's exposure to and use of natural space and private gardens, measured by GPS. Landscape and Urban Planning, 223 104425. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104425
Robertson, Tony, Jepson, Ruth, Lambe, Kyle, Olsen, Jonathan R. and Thornton, Lukar E. (2022). Socio-economic patterning of food and drink advertising at public transport stops in Edinburgh, UK. Public Health Nutrition, 25 (5), 1131-1139. doi: 10.1017/S1368980021004766
Burnett, Hannah, Olsen, Jonathan R. and Mitchell, Richard (2022). Green space visits and barriers to visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic: a three-wave nationally representative cross-sectional study of UK adults. Land, 11 (4) 503, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/land11040503
Alkhatib, Ahmad M., Olsen, Jonathan R. and Mitchell, Richard (2021). Contextual influences on chronic illness: a multi-level analysis in the twin cities of Ramallah and Al Bireh in the occupied Palestinian Territory. Health and Place, 72 102677, 102677-72. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102677
Burnett, Hannah, Olsen, Jonathan R., Nicholls, Natalie and Mitchell, Richard (2021). Change in time spent visiting and experiences of green space following restrictions on movement during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative cross-sectional study of UK adults. BMJ Open, 11 (3) e044067, e044067-3. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044067
Olsen, Jonathan R., Patterson, Chris, Caryl, Fiona M., Robertson, Tony, Mooney, Stephen J., Rundle, Andrew G., Mitchell, Richard and Hilton, Shona (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 102535, 102535. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102535
McCrorie, Paul, Olsen, Jonathan R., Caryl, Fiona M., Nicholls, Natalie and Mitchell, Rich (2021). Neighbourhood natural space and the narrowing of socioeconomic inequality in children's social, emotional, and behavioural wellbeing. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 2 100051. doi: 10.1016/j.wss.2021.100051
Olsen, Jonathan R., Leung, Kevin Y. K., Nicholls, Natalie and Loo, Becky P. Y. (2021). Do neighbourhood characteristics matter in understanding school children’s active lifestyles? A cross-region multi-city comparison of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Hong Kong. Children's Geographies, 19 (4), 488-504. doi: 10.1080/14733285.2020.1828826
Macdonald, Laura, Mccrorie, Paul, Nicholls, Natalie and Olsen, Jonathan R. (2019). Active commute to school: does distance from school or walkability of the home neighbourhood matter? A national cross-sectional study of children aged 10-11 years, Scotland, UK. BMJ Open, 9 (12) e033628, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033628
Olsen, Jonathan R., Nicholls, Natalie, Moon, Graham, Pearce, Jamie, Shortt, Niamh and Mitchell, Richard (2019). Which urban land covers/uses are associated with residents' mortality? A cross-sectional, ecological, pan-European study of 233 cities. BMJ Open, 9 (11) e033623, 1-11. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033623
Olsen, Jonathan R., Nicholls, Natalie and Mitchell, Richard (2019). Are urban landscapes associated with reported life satisfaction and inequalities in life satisfaction at the city level? A cross-sectional study of 66 European cities. Social Science and Medicine, 226, 263-274. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.03.009
Olsen, Jonathan R., Mitchell, Richard, McCrorie, Paul and Ellaway, Anne (2019). Children's mobility and environmental exposures in urban landscapes: a cross-sectional study of 10–11 year old Scottish children. Social Science and Medicine, 224, 11-22. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.01.047
Ellaway, Anne, Dundas, Ruth, Olsen, Jonathan R. and Shiels, Paul G. (2018). Perceived neighbourhood problems over time and associations with adiposity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15 (9) 1854, 1854-9. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15091854
Macdonald, Laura, Olsen, Jonathan R., Shortt, Niamh K. and Ellaway, Anne (2018). Do ‘environmental bads’ such as alcohol, fast food, tobacco, and gambling outlets cluster and co-locate in more deprived areas in Glasgow City, Scotland?. Health and Place, 51, 224-231. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.04.008
Olsen, Jonathan R., Dundas, Ruth and Ellaway, Anne (2017). Are changes in neighbourhood perceptions associated with changes in self-rated mental health in adults? A 13-year repeat cross-sectional study, UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14 (12) 1473, 1473. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14121473
Olsen, Jonathan R., Mitchell, Richard, Mutrie, Nanette, Foley, Louise and Ogilvie, David (2017). Population levels of, and inequalities in, active travel: A national, cross-sectional study of adults in Scotland. Preventive Medicine Reports, 8, 129-134. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.09.008
Olsen, Jonathan R., Mitchell, Richard and Ogilvie, David (2017). Effect of a new motorway on social-spatial patterning of road traffic accidents: a retrospective longitudinal natural experimental study. PLoS One, 12 (9) e0184047, e0184047. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184047
Olsen, Jonathan R., Macdonald, Laura and Ellaway, Anne (2017). Changes over time in population level transport satisfaction and mode of travel: A 13 year repeat cross-sectional study, UK. Journal of Transport and Health, 6, 366-378. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2017.03.012
Foley, Louise, Prins, Richard, Crawford, Fiona, Humphreys, David, Mitchell, Richard, Sahlqvist, Shannon, Thomson, Hilary, Ogilvie, David, Nimegeer, Amy, Olsen, Jonathan, Hilton, Shona, Jones, Andrew and Mutrie, Nanette (2017). Effects of living near an urban motorway on the wellbeing of local residents in deprived areas: Natural experimental study. PLoS ONE, 12 (4) e0174882, e0174882. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174882
Olsen, Jonathan R., Mitchell, Richard, Ogilvie, David, Crawford, Fiona, Hilton, Shona, Humphreys, David, Jones, Andrew, Mutrie, Nanette, Sahlqvist, Shannon, Thomson, Hilary, Foley, Louise, Nimegeer, Amy and Prins, Richard (2016). Effects of new motorway infrastructure on active travel in the local population: A retrospective repeat cross-sectional study in Glasgow, Scotland. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13 (1) 77. doi: 10.1186/s12966-016-0403-9
Olsen, Jonathan R., Mitchell, Richard, Mackay, Daniel F., Humphreys, David K. and Ogilvie, David (2016). Effects of new urban motorway infrastructure on road traffic accidents in the local area: A retrospective longitudinal study in Scotland. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 70 (11), 1088-1095. doi: 10.1136/jech-2016-207378
Olsen, J. R., Gallacher, J., Finlay, A. Y., Piguet, V. and Francis, N. A. (2016). Quality of life impact of childhood skin conditions measured using the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI): A meta-analysis. British Journal of Dermatology, 174 (4), 853-861. doi: 10.1111/bjd.14361
Olsen, Jonathan R., Piguet, Vincent, Gallacher, John and Francis, Nick A. (2016). Molluscum contagiosum and associations with atopic eczema in children: A retrospective longitudinal study in primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 66 (642), e53-e58. doi: 10.3399/bjgp15X688093
Olsen, Jonathan R, Gallacher, John, Finlay, Andrew Y, Piguet, Vincent and Francis, Nick A (2015). Time to resolution and effect on quality of life of molluscum contagiosum in children in the UK: A prospective community cohort study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 15 (2), 190-195. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)71053-9
Olsen, Jonathan R., Gallacher, John, Piguet, Vincent and Francis, Nick A. (2014). Development and validation of the molluscum contagiosum diagnostic tool for parents: Diagnostic accuracy study in primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 64 (625). doi: 10.3399/bjgp14X680941
Olsen, Jonathan R., Gallacher, John, Piguet, Vincent and Francis, Nick A. (2014). Epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum in children: a systematic review. Family Practice, 31 (2) cmt075, 130-136. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmt075
Olsen, Jonathan R., Cook, Penny A., Forster, Sue and Phillips-Howard, Penelope A. (2012). Accessibility of sexual health services in teenage sexual health service users: Local area geospatial analysis. Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom), 34 (3), 438-446. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdr120
Conference Papers
Tadrous, R., Palmer, V., Olsen, J. R., Anderson, M., Lewis, R., Mitchell, K., Thomson, M., Rigby, B., Moore, L. A. R. and Simpson, S. A. (2025). Healthy ageing in place: perspectives on ‘local’ and age-friendliness in the built environment. British Geriatrics Society Spring Meeting 2025, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 9-11 April 2025. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afaf133.093
Tadrous, R., Palmer, V., Olsen, J. R., Anderson, M., Lewis, R., Mitchell, K., Thomson, M., Rigby, B., Moore, L. A. R. and Simpson, S. A. (2025). Active and connected: place utilisation to enhance physical and social activity in mid-to-older adults. British Geriatrics Society Spring Meeting 2025, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 9-11 April 2025. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afaf133.098
Research Reports
Baille, Anna, Olsen, Jonathan, Pearce, Anna, Irwin, Sarah, Pangbourne, Kate, Corcoran, Jonathan, Johnson, Laurel, Lisa McDaid, Reddel, Tim, Robinson, Mark, Wyeth, Stephanie and Glasgow, Queensland and Leeds Health and Equity Initiative (2024). Research and policy agenda on health inequalities and planetary health: a coproduced cross sector vision. Glasgow, United Kingdom: University of Glasgow. doi: 10.36399/gla.pubs.339527
Olsen, Jonathan and Mitchell, Richard (2021). SSR Environment and Spaces Group - COVID-19 Green and Open Space Use in Spring 2021 (Wave 3): priorities for post-pandemic recovery. Glasgow, United Kingdom: University of Glasgow. doi: 10.36399/gla.pubs.246702
Olsen, Jonathan and Mitchell, Richard (2021). S&SR Environment and Spaces Group Report: COVID-19 Green and Open Space Use in Autumn 2020. Glasgow, United Kingdom: University of Glasgow. doi: 10.36399/gla.pubs.234770
Olsen, Jonathan and Mitchell, Rich (2020). S&SR Environments and Spaces Group: change in use of green and open space following COVID-19 lockdown ‘stay at home’ phase and initial easing of lockdown. Glasgow, United Kingdom: University of Glasgow. doi: 10.36399/gla.pubs.223180