Professor Adrian Davis has been named the 2025 winner of the Bazalgette Professorship
An academic from Edinburgh Napier University’s Transport Research Institute has been recognised with the prestigious Champion of Evidence Award from the Faculty of Public Health.
Professor of Transport & Health, Dr Adrian Davis, has been named one of two recipients of its Bazalgette Professorship, which is presented to scholars who have translated their research to the benefit of UK population health.
Professor Davis has drawn praise in recent years for his leading ENU research into the health impact of road transport policies such as 20mph speed limits and active travel. He worked with his fellow winner, Dr Sarah Jones from Public Health Wales, in their evidence support of 20mph speed limit implementation by the Welsh Government.
A membership organisation for around 6,000 public health professionals across the UK, the Faculty of Public Health awards the Bazalgette Professorship Champion of Evidence Award in recognition of the wider good that results from the translation of public health research into services, infrastructure and the environment.
It is named after Joseph Bazalgette, known for devising London’s first effective sewer system in the 19th century – which helped to eradicate cholera and other water-borne diseases from the city, saving thousands of lives.
The professorship bearing Bazalgette’s name was founded in 2019 and is awarded every two years. Previous winners have included researchers of acute bleeding treatment, clean air and Covid-19 transmission.
Reacting to the news, Professor Davis said: “It is a real honour to be awarded this professorship, alongside Dr Sarah Jones.
“To be the first inter-disciplinary researchers addressing road transport to be honoured with the title demonstrates the recognition as to the serious public health implications of both the physical and social environment largely shaped for private motorised transport.
“In an age of widespread misinformation, science can fight back.
“I hope to follow in the tradition of Joseph Bazalgette, who was part of the first wave of public health, through engineering.
“I will redouble my efforts in applying robust evidence to make a positive difference to lives, as we confront the diseases and conditions which today threaten population health.”
Funded by the Alliance for Useful Evidence, the Bazalgette Professorship Champion of Evidence award is presented as part of the Faculty of Public Health’s annual awards.
The Faculty of Public Health is part of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom.