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AJ Wray, PhD

@wrayaj.bsky.social
1.7K followers 275 following 54 posts

Assistant Professor of Community Health Education. Healthy Communities. GIScience. Urban Development. President of Town and Gown Association of Ontario, Board on International TGA.

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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Our study demonstrates that as 5G-NR smartphones become more widely adopted and supported, researchers can look forward to having better spatial data to determine the exact context surrounding a participant at a specific point in time. Read the paper here: josis.org/index.php/jo...
josis.org
A comparative analysis of positioning errors in 4G and 5G smartphones, and standalone GPS devices, in everyday mobility scenarios | Journal of Spatial Information Science
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
We found that 5G-NR smartphones had greater accuracy and less overall spatial error than legacy devices, with the largest improvements in building presence and tunnel scenarios.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
We ran a comparative study testing the positioning accuracy of 5G-NR smartphones, as compared to a range of 4G smartphones and dedicated GPS data loggers, while participants walked, biked, and drove a fixed route.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Manufacturers and carriers have claimed 5G-NR will deliver sub-metre positioning accuracy in most outdoor contexts. However, these claims are based upon simulations and laboratory experiments rather than testing done alongside dedicated GPS loggers and 4G smartphones in everyday environments.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Given the upcoming rollout of 5G-New Radio technologies across national cell networks in Canada, the US, Europe, and elsewhere over the coming years, we decided to test the potential improvements to positioning accuracy from this new technology.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
New publication in the Journal of Spatial Information Science! Smartphones are now broadly accepted data collection instruments, especially in daily mobility-related research. Yet, how do new 5G cellphones perform in logging locations?
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
I joined the @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social podcast to reflect on my time in Japan supported by the Kakehashi Program. North America really struggles with how to treat youth in public space, especially in having autonomy and responsibility in public life. 🎧: www.asiapacific.ca/podcast/kake...
asiapacific.ca
Kakehashi Conversations: A Discussion with Health Geographer Dr. Alexander Wray
In this episode we sit down with Dr. Alexander “AJ” Wray, Assistant Professor of Community Health Education at the University of Tennessee.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
These investments are also a signal of an abundant and confident society ready to attract high-value immigrants and global corporate investment. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/202...
thenationalnews.com
Etihad Rail's Dubai to Abu Dhabi high-speed service on fast track to success | The National
The 350kph electric line could spur international investment and further development, say experts
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
As a global centre and hub for the Middle East, investments in high-speed rail and even the humble bus are critical to meeting the needs of a growing population in the UAE. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/202...
thenationalnews.com
In the age of the metro and air taxis, will we still be travelling on buses in Dubai years from now? | The National
Evidence from around the world suggests that rail-based urban transit does not squeeze out traditional bus services and may even help them to grow
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
In August, I was interviewed for a series of articles in @thenationalnews.com about Dubai and Abu Dhabi's rapid population growth and construction of large public transit infrastructure. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/202...
thenationalnews.com
Dubai's population hits four million – here's what lies ahead for the city that keeps on growing | The National
Efforts are under way to make it a more liveable city with traffic-free neighbourhoods and metro expansion
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Therefore, these regulatory changes may be further exacerbating potential vulnerability among these higher-risk populations. The article is available open access here: doi.org/10.1016/j.dr...
doi.org
Redirecting
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Neighborhoods with a higher prevalence of lone parenthood, low educational attainment, and government transfer recipients exhibited a higher exposure to risky substances compared to the general population.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
In a recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, members of the HEAL @westernu.ca found geographic accessibility to alcohol and cannabis increased substantially across the province, while there were minimal reductions in geographic access to tobacco.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
So how did these changes affect geographic access to risky substances, and who is most affected by these changes in access?
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
People can now buy takeaway alcohol from any restaurant or convenience store. Cannabis retail sales were privatized. However, external advertising of all tobacco products, especially vapes, were banned.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Are there more Tim Hortons or cannabis outlets in Ontario? As of 2022, there were actually more cannabis outlets! Regulations surrounding alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco have substantially changed over the past five years in Ontario.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
I've joined the University of Tennessee Knoxville Department of Public Health as an Assistant Professor of Community Health Education. I am looking forward to being a Volunteer for many years to come!
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
I am excited to be on the founding Editorial Board alongside colleagues from Canada and around the world. Think about Urban Transitions for your next manuscript, as there are no APCs on submissions made to the journal before December 31, 2026! www.sciencedirect.com/journal/urba...
sciencedirect.com
Urban Transitions | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier
Read the latest articles of Urban Transitions at ScienceDirect.com, Elsevier’s leading platform of peer-reviewed scholarly literature
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Looking for a new publishing venue for work that integrates urban planning, mobility, environment, climate action, and population health? Urban Transitions, a new multidisciplinary journal with @elsevierconnect.bsky.social may be the right fit.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Pleasure to join the NESI Podcast to discuss connections between health and place. Geography is important for health, but an important lesson I have learned is when to "get out of the way" as a geographer and support other health disciplines in taking the lead! open.spotify.com/episode/0RK5...
open.spotify.com
How Place Affects Our Health: The Connection Between Geography and Health Promotion with Dr. AJ Wray
The NESI Podcast · Episode
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Michael Hendricks 🇨🇦 @michaelhendricks.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
When can we stop taking these programs seriously. - there is no global capacity to absorb US funding cuts - nowhere with good funding and scientific environment has a hard time recruiting scientists ever - nowhere is short of scientists, they are short of resources to do research
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Arguably, it's a better way to organize local community governance of higher education than other financing models. Have seen these town-gown partnerships work really well among rural state university branch campuses too
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The ESM Item Repository @esmrepository.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
The ESM Item Repository needs your help! We're applying for funding 💰and we need people to tell us how they have used the Repository in their work. If you are willing to be contacted ✉️ by the Repository team to tell us more about this, please reply to this post and please share! #OpenScience
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Exactly. I imagine their new salary with the exchange rate, lower taxes, and better institutional outlook have all more than balanced out any downsides. Meanwhile, all levels of government here fiddle while the proverbial Rome burns.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
A handful of new Canada Excellence Research Chairs and hospital-based research positions only open to non-residents (looking at you, UHN) are not going to fix the structural brain drain issue in Canada. It might even make it worse... www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
FIRST PERSON | I'm choosing to leave for the U.S. for a unicorn job. Does that make me a traitor to Canada? | CBC News
Alice Nelson has a tenured job at an Ontario university. But seeing the impact of tuition freezes and the cap on international students on postsecondary education, she decided it was time for a change...
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Oh the DC shenanigans are entirely the province's creation. Zero sum thinking with that one!
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
A reminder that Wilmot tried this fake math for decades. It finally caught up to them as a 50.87% tax increase over the next three years just to meet *current* obligations! www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/ar...
ctvnews.ca
Wilmot Township still trying to whittle down proposed property tax hike
Councillors in Wilmot are once again working to bring down the proposed increase on the township’s portion of the 2025 tax bill.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
This is the same goofy math that Wilmot pulled for decades, which finally caught up to them as a 50.87% tax increase over three years to account for the real cost of capital infrastructure. www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/ar...
ctvnews.ca
Wilmot Township still trying to whittle down proposed property tax hike
Councillors in Wilmot are once again working to bring down the proposed increase on the township’s portion of the 2025 tax bill.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
That's all fine but the main problem still is using one set of projections to do one side of the equation, and a different set to do the other. They're going to not balance one day, especially when underestimating infrastructure need, which means even steeper tax increases later.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Canadian municipalities continue to play funny games with their population projections to keep current tax increases low while also inflating long-term land supply requests. IMO, maybe we should just mandate the use of the provincial expert projection! lfpress.com/news/local-n...
lfpress.com
City hall's really big question: Just how much will London's population grow?
Planners have to thread the needle between keeping up with growth while not overbuilding, an expert said.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
When I need to show up or submit something to a call for public comment
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Matt Rodrigues @mattjrodrigues.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
I’m working on sharing a quarterly community update on initiatives and insights on things happening at the Region that impact Kitchener. What types of information would be useful or insightful to see?
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Yes, grade-separated, limited access with major street overpasses with good cycle lanes
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Urban Studies Journal @urbanstudiesjournal.com · 29/03/2025
Restaurant survival during the #COVID-19 pandemic: Examining operational, demographic and #LandUse predictors in London, Canada by @wrayaj.bsky.social et al buff.ly/fpGZ3bN #OpenAccess #hospitality #tourism
Article information including DOI, title, authors, abstract and keywords.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
It's time for a ring expressway in London, Ontario lfpress.com/opinion/colu...
lfpress.com
Wray: Why risk-averse London needs a ring road (and the region, too)
Building a ring road today is an opportunity for London to fix historical mistakes that have constrained the city, an academic argues
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Urban Studies Journal @urbanstudiesjournal.com · 27/03/2025
The April 2025 issue (Volume 62, Issue 5) of #UrbanStudies is out now featuring articles and reviews by @yeonhwalee.bsky.social @kristianruming.bsky.social @wrayaj.bsky.social @agusmartire.bsky.social @yiminzhao.bsky.social and many more buff.ly/dCjb3ai
Urban Studies Journal cover. White heading text reads 'Urban Studies' and issue details are listed in fine text a banner below. Background is a map of the world at night with illuminated lights.Urban Studies Journal contents page 1Urban Studies Journal contents page 2
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
In our view, scarce public health resources in Canada should focus on delivering food skills-based educational programming to youth, as well as addressing more impactful marketing channels like social media. Read the full study here: doi.org/10.1093/heap...
doi.org
Does outdoor advertising correlate with retail food purchases made by adolescents? A cross-sectional study in Canada
Abstract. Food marketing plays a substantial role in shaping adolescent diets, having wide-ranging ramifications for health behaviours and outcomes through
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
We found that outdoor advertising slightly affects adolescent food purchasing behaviour, however, food consumption attitudes and sociodemographics play a more substantial role in predicting differences in purchasing behaviours.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
We assessed the correlations between the availability of outdoor advertising in the daily environments of youth and their self-reported purchasing behaviour.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Yet, there remains a concerning lack of evidence about the effects of outdoor advertising, as one of many food marketing channels, on youth purchasing behaviours. In a new study published in Health Promotion International...
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Health Canada in 2019 proposed legislation that would have banned outdoor food and beverage advertising around any youth-serving location (i.e., schools, recreation centres, libraries, etc.).
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Food and beverage marketing, especially targeted towards youth, receives major scrutiny and policy attention from public health regulators. In a new study, we contribute to this ongoing policy debate about regulating outdoor food and beverage advertising.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
I think interest rates finally broke the back, a lot of mortgage renewals happen over the summer and the average person probably was furious to see a multiple percentage increase especially if they were on a 5 year fixed
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Foreign interference commission scandal where David Johnson stepped down after claiming their was no foreign interference at all, and BoC policy interest rates hit their highest level since 2001.
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Last week, I had the privilege to share my geospatial health research on environmental correlates of youth stress at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research, as well as participate in discussions at the 2nd Specialists Workshop on Geoprivacy and Personalized Health
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
I think the solution lies in... 1) primary and secondary education curriculum that teaches these disasters and their solutions in visceral ways 2) funding agencies and reviewers being willing to support educational interventions that work with conspiracy-oriented populations
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Absolutely expected in public health and most of human geography
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Wonderful to be at the Luxembourg Institute for Social and Economic Research this week for the 2nd Specialist Workshop on Geoprivacy for Personalized Health to discuss the responsible use of mobile technology in collecting and analyzing geographic data in a health context
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Planners and designers should take away that youth want playful and exploratory spaces, not overly sanitized boring spaces!
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AJ Wray, PhD @wrayaj.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Youth told us that urban design that promoted a dense concentration of urban activity in the built and social sense had positive health implications, while physical and social discord, decay, and illegibility had negative health implications.
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