Matthew Hobbs

Dr Matthew Hobbs is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health and a Co-Director at the GeoHealth Research Laboratory, University of Canterbury. As a researcher he is interested in modifying environments to improve behaviour/health. His research uses geospatial and population health methods to inform local and national public health policy to reduce health inequities.

He consistently publishes in world-leading journals with high impact including The Lancet and JAMA Paediatrics and important field-leading journals such as Preventive Medicine and The International Journal of Obesity. His commitment to high quality research and teaching has been recognized by securing five coveted awards (three awards in 2019/20) with two further nominations. Relative to opportunity, these awards highlight his track record of excellence. Most recently he was awarded by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (2019) the New Investigator in Public Health Award which recognises rising stars in the field of obesity through their wider contributions to public health and it is highly regarded throughout the scientific community.

He has several high profile media interviews including NZ Stuff and TVNZ Breakfast media appearances:
- TVNZ breakfast interview: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=826165501230429
- NZ Stuff article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/122000234/23-children-and-teens-a-day-hospitalised-for-dental-care-as-water-fluoridation-bill-flounders