The Environment & Policy Laboratory aims to increase physical activity through environmental improvements and public policy. We use a variety of cutting-edge measurement techniques including a NASA-developed imaging system to document neighborhood attributes, accelerometry to objectively measure physical activity, and mobile phone apps to quantify daily lived experiences. Data on attributes such as community walkability, access to affordable healthy food, and utilization of parks and playgrounds are used to explain how people interact with their environments, and how this exposure affects their physical activity, health, and wellness across the lifespan. Working with community organizations, city planners and policy makers, our ultimate goal is to help eliminate health inequities.

Learn more at epl.kines.umich.edu.

Seeking Motivated PhD student: Dr. Colabianchi is currently seeking a motivated doctoral student to work on research related to physical activity and the built environment, starting Fall 2022. Details.