Dr Emma Lawlor

Research Fellow (Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health)
Affiliate, Associate (School of Social & Political Sciences)
Associate (School of Health & Wellbeing)

email: Emma.Lawlor@glasgow.ac.uk
pronouns: She/her/hers

Biography

Emma joined the University of Glasgow as a Research Associate on the GALLANT project (Glasgow As a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation) (September 2022 to current) leading the active travel work package. She has since been promoted to Research Fellow (2024). Examples of her projects include the evaluation of a new flagship walking and cycling bridge in Glasgow, evaluating community-based behavioural cycling programmes and working with stakeholders and communities to co-develop active travel interventions.

Since Joining Glasgow, Emma has won a competitive Carnegie Research Incentive Grant and internal Innovation Fund to study the Clyde Metro (public transport) in Glasgow. She has also been awarded a place on the Social Sciences and Humanities for Climate, Energy and Transport Research Excellence Knowledge Brokerage programme (Horizon Europe) working in Porto, Portugal to increase use of public transport (2023-2024).

Before joining the University of Glasgow, Emma worked as a Research Associate at the MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge from 2017 to 2022. Her research mainly focused on evaluating population-level environment and policy interventions related to active travel and health promoting environments. She also has experience in evaluating physical activity interventions and systematic reviews. She also worked as a Research Associate in the Prevention of Diabetes and Related Metabolic Disorders in High-Risk Groups research programme developing and evaluating weight management interventions.

In addition to her Glasgow role, Emma worked as a Research Associate at the University of Westminster (March 2022 to September 2023) on the NIHR evaluation of low traffic neighbourhood schemes in London. She was also involved in a process evaluation of the Department for Transport Active Travel Fund.

Emma currently is co-convenor of the MSc Global Health module ‘Improving Health and Society’ and lectures and supervises students on the MSc Sport, Exercise Science and Medicine course. She has been actively involved in committees (e.g. International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity) and is currently on the editorial board of the journal ‘Active Travel Studies’.

Emma was awarded a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy from the University of Ulster and an MSc in Public Health from Queen’s University Belfast. Emma completed her PhD in 2018 at the Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, focusing on physical activity interventions in deprived communities.

Research interests

Research Theme: Metabolic Disease

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2015 | 2013

Number of items: 43.

2025

Johnson, B. J. et al. (2025) Contemporary challenges, needs and opportunities for emerging behavioral nutrition and physical activity researchers: a mixed-methods study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22, 94. (doi: 10.1186/s12966-025-01748-1) (PMID:40619413) (PMCID:PMC12232601)

Larrington-Spencer, Harriet, Verlinghieri, Ersilia, Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Aldred, Rachel (2025) Troubling go-alongs through the lens of care. Qualitative Research, 25(3), pp. 690-710. (doi: 10.1177/14687941241277747)

Jones, R. A. et al. (2025) An acceptance-based guided self-help program for weight loss maintenance in adults who have previously completed a behavioral weight loss program: The SWiM feasibility study. Obesity Science and Practice, 11(2), e70048. (doi: 10.1002/osp4.70048) (PMID:40124957) (PMCID:PMC11929140)

2024

Alonso Raposo, María, Carvalho, Juliana, János Lőrincz, Máté, Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Rossetti, Rebecca (2024) Towards Sustainable Mobility: A Roadmap for establishing a Community of Practice in Porto. Documentation. SSH Centre, Cambridge. (doi: 10.5281/zenodo.14763554).

Roaf, Eleanor, Larrington-Spencer, Harriet and Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 (2024) Interventions to increase active travel: a systematic review. Journal of Transport and Health, 38, 101860. (doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101860)

Roaf, Eleanor, Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Larrington-Spencer, Harriet (2024) What interventions increase active travel? In: Mindell, Jennifer S. and Watkins, Stephen J. (eds.) Health on the Move 3: The Reviews. Series: Advances in Transport Policy and Planning (13). Academic Press (Elsevier): Cambridge, Mass., pp. 89-143. ISBN 9780443221804 (doi: 10.1016/bs.atpp.2023.11.004)

Garrott, K. et al. (2024) Development and application of the Demands for Population Health Interventions (Depth) framework for categorising the agentic demands of population health interventions. BMC Global and Public Health, 2, 13. (doi: 10.1186/s44263-024-00043-8)

Jones, C. P. et al. (2024) Parliamentary reaction to the announcement and implementation of the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy: Applied thematic analysis of 2016-2020 parliamentary debates. Public Health Nutrition, 27(1), e51. (doi: 10.1017/S1368980024000247) (PMID:38263748)

Tupper, Emily, Morris, Stephanie, Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Summerbell, Carolyn, Panter, Jenna, Jago, Russell and Pollard, Tessa (2024) Children's experiences of care on walking and cycling journeys between home and school in Healthy New Towns: Reframing active school travel. Health and Place, 85, 103147. (doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103147) (PMID:38103412)

2023

Garrott, K. et al. (2023) Development and application of the DePtH framework for categorising the agentic demands of population health interventions [Pre-print]. medRxiv, (doi: 10.1101/2023.10.18.23297198)

Rennie, Kirsten L., Lawlor, Emma R, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Yassaee, Arrash, Booth, Adam, Westgate, Kate, Sharp, Stephen J., Tyrrell, Carina S.B., Aral, Mert and Wareham, Nicholas J. (2023) Engagement with mHealth COVID-19 digital biomarker measurements in a longitudinal cohort study: mixed methods evaluation. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e40602. (doi: 10.2196/40602) (PMID:36194866) (PMCID:PMC9842396)

Aldred, R. and Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 (2023) Report on the Second Stage of the Process Evaluation of the Active Travel Fund Tranche 2. Documentation. Department for Transport.

Furlong, J., Larrington-Spencer, H., Verlinghieri, E., Lawlor, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Aldred, R. (2023) Walking Maps: The personal geographies of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in London. Royal Geographical Society (RGS) IBG Annual International Conference, London, UK, 28th-30th Aug 2023.

Garrott, K. et al. (2023) Explaining differential socioeconomic effects in population health interventions: development and application of a new tool to classify intervention agentic demand. Public Health Science, London, UK, 24th Nov 2023. S3. (doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02056-1)

Larrington-Spencer, H., Verlinghieri, E., Lawlor, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Aldred, R. (2023) Walking through Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: Go Alongs as a Method to Understand Intricacies of Place. Royal Geographical Society (RGS) IBG Annual International Conference, London, UK, 28th-30th Aug 2023.

Lawlor, E. R. et al. (2023) Stakeholders’ experiences of what works in planning and implementing environmental interventions to promote active travel: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis. Transport Reviews, 43(3), pp. 478-501. (doi: 10.1080/01441647.2022.2119298)

Verlinghieri, E., Larrington-Spencer, H., Lawlor, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Aldred, R. (2023) LTNs as Street Experiments: Qualitative Insights into Resident Experiences in a London Borough. Royal Geographical Society (RGS) IBG Annual International Conference, London, UK, 28th-30th Aug 2023.

Verswijveren, S. et al. (2023) Challenges, Needs and Opportunities for Emerging Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Researchers: in (Post-)pandemic Times [Poster]. ISBNPA Conference, Uppsala, Sweden, 15th June 2023.

2022

Lawlor, E.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Fry, R. and Rennie, K. (2022) Participants Experiences of the Fenland COVID-19 Study; Fenland COVID-19 Internal Report. Project Report. University of Cambridge.

Furlong, J. and Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 (2022) Emerging Agendas in Research, Policy and Practice; Introductory Remarks. Project Report. Active Travel Studies.

Panter, Jenna, Ikeda, Erika, Faria, Alex, Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and van Sluijs, Esther (2022) Natural Experimental Study of No Car Zones Implemented Outside Schools: Potential and Lessons Learnt. Public Health Science 2021. Lancet 400(Supplement 1). S70, 26 Nov 2021. (doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)02280-2)

Morris, Stephanie, Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Foley, Louise, Summerbell, Carolyn, Panter, Jenna, Adams, Jean, Jago, Russell and Pollard, Tessa M. (2022) Children's experiences of the journey between home and school: A qualitative synthesis using meta-ethnography. Health and Place, 76, 102819. (doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102819) (PMID:35667224)

Ahern, A. L. et al. (2022) Acceptability and feasibility of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based guided self-help intervention for weight loss maintenance in adults who have previously completed a behavioural weight loss programme: the SWiM feasibility study protocol. BMJ Open, 12(4), e058103. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058103) (PMID:35440459) (PMCID:PMC9020279)

Lawlor, E.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Ellis, K., Panter, J. and Ogilvie, D. (2022) Evidence Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry on Public Transport in Towns and Cities. Documentation. UK Parliament Built Environment Committee.

Strelitz, Jean, Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Wu, Yue, Estlin, Annabel, Nandakumar, Giri, Ahern, Amy L. and Griffin, Simon J. (2022) Association between weight change and incidence of cardiovascular disease events and mortality among adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of observational studies and behavioural intervention trials. Diabetologia, 65(3), pp. 424-439. (doi: 10.1007/s00125-021-05605-1) (PMID:34859263) (PMCID:PMC8803822)

Panter, J., Ikeda, E., Faria, A., Lawlor, E.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and van Sluijs, E. (2022) Report to the Cambridgeshire Strategy & Resources Committee on No Car Zones Outside Schools Trial. Documentation. Cambridge City Council.

Richards, R. et al. (2022) Development of a web-based, guided self-help, acceptance and commitment therapy–based intervention for weight loss maintenance: evidence-, theory-, and person-based approach. JMIR Formative Research, 6(1), e31801. (doi: 10.2196/31801) (PMID:34994698) (PMCID:PMC8783282)

2021

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Hunter, Ruth F., Adlakha, Deepti, Kee, Frank and Tully, Mark A. (2021) Individual characteristics associated with active travel in low and high income groups in the UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10360. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph181910360) (PMID:34639660) (PMCID:PMC8508371)

Rennie, Kristen, Ahern, Amy, Spillman, Lynsey, Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, King, Becky, Usher-Smith, Juliet, van Sluijs, Esther and Wareham, Nick (2021) Integration of Physical Activity Promotion within Primary and Secondary Care Settings: Rapid Evidence Review and Lessons from Practice Case Studies, Executive Summary. Documentation. Public Health England.

Jones, Rebecca A., Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Birch, Jack M., Patel, Manal I., Werneck, André O., Hoare, Erin, Griffin, Simon J., Sluijs, Esther M.F., Sharp, Stephen J. and Ahern, Amy L. (2021) The impact of adult behavioural weight management interventions on mental health: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 22(4), e13150. (doi: 10.1111/obr.13150) (PMID:33103340) (PMCID:PMC7116866)

2020

Rennie, Kristen, Ahern, Amy, King, Becky, Spillman, Lynsey, Hartley, Peter, Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Wareham, Nick J. (2020) Integration of Physical Activity Promotion within Primary and Secondary Care Settings: Rapid Evidence Review and Lessons from Practice Case Studies. Documentation. Public Health England. (doi: 10.17863/CAM.64187).

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Cupples, Margaret E., Donnelly, Michael and Tully, Mark A. (2020) Implementing community-based health promotion in socio-economically disadvantaged areas: a qualitative study. Journal of Public Health, 42(4), pp. 839-847. (doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz167) (PMID:31822896) (PMCID:PMC7685857)

Jong, S. T. et al. (2020) Reach, recruitment, dose, and intervention fidelity of the GoActive school-based physical activity intervention in the UK: a mixed-methods process evaluation. Children, 7(11), 231. (doi: 10.3390/children7110231) (PMID:33212854) (PMCID:PMC7698468)

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Hughes, Carly A., Duschinsky, Robbie, Pountain, Gillian D., Hill, Andrew J., Griffin, Simon J. and Ahern, Amy L. (2020) Cognitive and behavioural strategies employed to overcome “lapses” and prevent “relapse” among weight‐loss maintainers and regainers: a qualitative study. Clinical Obesity, 10(5), e12395. (doi: 10.1111/cob.12395) (PMID:32767708) (PMCID:PMC7116423)

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Islam, Nazrul, Bates, Sarah, Griffin, Simon J., Hill, Andrew J., Hughes, Carly A., Sharp, Stephen J. and Ahern, Amy L. (2020) Third‐wave cognitive behaviour therapies for weight management: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 21(7), e13013. (doi: 10.1111/obr.13013) (PMID:32181957) (PMCID:PMC7379202)

Ahern, A. L. et al. (2020) Clinical and cost-effectiveness of a diabetes education and behavioural weight management programme versus a diabetes education programme in adults with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: study protocol for the Glucose Lowering through Weight management (GLoW) randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 10(4), e035020. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035020) (PMID:32350016) (PMCID:PMC7213851)

Jones, Rebecca A., Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Griffin, Simon J., van Sluijs, Esther M.F. and Ahern, Amy L. (2020) Impact of adult weight management interventions on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. BMJ Open, 10(1), e031857. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031857) (PMID:31964665) (PMCID:PMC7045146)

Jong, S. T. et al. (2020) Adolescents’ perspectives on a school-based physical activity intervention: a mixed method study. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 9(1), pp. 28-40. (doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2019.06.007) (PMID:31921478) (PMCID:PMC6943775)

2019

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Cupples, Margaret E., Donnelly, Michael and Tully, Mark A. (2019) Promoting physical activity among community groups of older women in socio-economically disadvantaged areas: randomised feasibility study. Trials, 20(1), 234. (doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3312-9) (PMID:31023329) (PMCID:PMC6482492)

2018

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Bradley, Declan T., Cupples, Margaret E. and Tully, Mark A. (2018) The effect of community-based interventions for cardiovascular disease secondary prevention on behavioural risk factors. Preventive Medicine, 114, pp. 24-38. (doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.05.019) (PMID:29802876)

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476, Islam, Nazrul, Griffin, Simon J., Hill, Andrew J., Hughes, Carly A. and Ahern, Amy L. (2018) Third-wave cognitive behaviour therapies for weight management: systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol. BMJ Open, 8(7), e023425. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023425) (PMID:30068625) (PMCID:PMC6074635)

2015

Lawlor, Emma R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Donnelly, Michael (2015) Use of an employment advisory service by cancer survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 33(3), pp. 219-231. (doi: 10.1080/07347332.2015.1019658) (PMID:25761149)

2013

Lawlor, E.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Donnelly, M. (2013) Use of Government Advisory Service by Cancer Survivors. Documentation. Macmillan Cancer Support.

This list was generated on Tue Jan 6 12:48:14 2026 GMT.

Jump to: Articles | Book Sections | Research Reports or Papers | Conference or Workshop Item

Number of items: 43.

Articles

Book Sections

Research Reports or Papers

Furlong, J. and Lawlor, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 (2022) Emerging Agendas in Research, Policy and Practice; Introductory Remarks. Project Report. Active Travel Studies.

Lawlor, E.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0476 and Donnelly, M. (2013) Use of Government Advisory Service by Cancer Survivors. Documentation. Macmillan Cancer Support.

Conference or Workshop Item

This list was generated on Tue Jan 6 12:48:14 2026 GMT.

Grants

Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.

Supporting older adults to use active and sustainable transport
The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
2025 - 2026
Aligning active travel and mass transit for the Clyde Metro Project in Glasgow
Natural Environment Research Council
2024 - 2025

Supervision

Teaching

MSc Global Health

MSc Sport, Exercise Science and Medicine

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