Health Driven Design for Cities (HD4) studies characteristics of the built environment that may determine behaviors and health. One focus is the retail food environment, which includes the types and distribution of food outlets across Singapore. To study the food environment, we will use data that already exists on the locations of food outlets. However, these data are often incomplete and lack additional information that would permit more advanced analysis. For example, information on type of food outlet, hours of operation or food price. These data are accessible from other sources such as company websites or Google Maps.
The post holder would contribute by quality checking and enriching the food outlet dataset with additional information to add value to our data, and to establish the feasibility of this task. Depending on progress, there may be an opportunity to participate in some spatial analysis (e.g. mapping the food retail environment in Singapore by day and time). This will be mainly a desk-based research project. Some field work may be required.
Competences:
- Enrolled in the final year or recently graduated from a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field
- Interest and/or experience in the wider determinants of health, urban planning, geography, and data science.
- Basic computer literacy is expected
- No specific data or geographic information systems (GIS) skills are required, and we will provide any necessary training, e.g. in GIS.
- Previous experience of having used application programming interfaces (APIs) would be desirable.
- Ability to follow project guidelines and timelines
- Good organization and time-management
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Detail oriented and willing to learn new methods and tools
Skills gained:
The intern will develop skills in web-scraping, API use, and application of geographic information systems. They will develop communication, presentation, and team working skills. This opportunity will provide exposure to an international, world-leading scientific research project and those working on it who are based in both Singapore and Cambridge (UK).
