About
Professor Gary Higgs is a distinguished academic at the University of South Wales, where he serves as Co-Director of the Wales Institute of Socio-Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) and holds a professorship within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science. With over three decades of academic experience, Professor Higgs leads significant research initiatives focused on spatial analysis and geographic information systems applications in social and health contexts.
- Co-Director of WISERD since its inception in 2009
- Director of the GIS Research Centre at the University of South Wales
- Lead Principal Investigator for the 'People, Places, and the Public Sphere' research program (2024-2027)
- Recipient of the USW Impact Award 2019 for research improving mobile cancer services
His educational background includes a BSc, PhD, and DSc, establishing a strong foundation for his research career. Professor Higgs is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and has contributed extensively to the academic community through journal reviews, research proposal evaluations, and editorial board service.
Professor Higgs' research primarily centers on the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to address critical societal challenges. His work spans accessibility modeling, medical geography, emergency planning, and public participation GIS. He has pioneered methodologies for measuring spatial inequalities in service provision across health, education, and social care sectors, with particular emphasis on multi-modal transport approaches. His research has significantly contributed to understanding how geographical factors influence access to essential services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on developing innovative spatial analytical techniques to address pressing social issues. Professor Higgs' work shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated accessibility modeling that incorporates real-time data, multiple transport modes, and temporal variations. His research has practical applications for policymakers seeking to reduce inequalities in service provision and improve planning for vulnerable populations.
- USW Impact Award 2019 for research improving mobile cancer services in collaboration with Tenovus Cancer Care
- Extensive contributions to academic journals as reviewer for over 60 publications
- Editorial board member for prominent journals including Computers, Environment and Urban Systems
- Referee for major research councils including ESRC, AHRC, NERC, and EPSRC
Professor Higgs actively supervises postgraduate research and teaches on MSc Computing programs, particularly the GIS Principles and Practice module. His leadership extends to the WISERD Data Lab, which supports community-led data collection and citizen engagement in co-production projects. He has been instrumental in developing the WISERD Geoportal, a tool for discovering, analyzing, and visualizing socio-economic data for Wales.
