- Research scientist, Western University
Alexander “AJ” Wray is a Research Scientist in the Department of Geography & Environment at Western University. AJ is a community planner and geographer that examines how the design and planning of communities affects youth health. His research program sits at the intersections of geographic information science, public health, and urban development. He holds a Doctorate in Geography from Western University. He holds a Masters in Geography from Western, and an Undergraduate in Planning and Diploma in Environmental Assessment from the University of Waterloo.
In the community, he is the President of the Town and Gown Association of Ontario - the trusted, coordinated voice for post-secondary students, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, first responders, residents, and property managers in Ontario communities that host post-secondary institutions. TGAO shares information, facilitates connections, and mediates relationships among our diverse group of stakeholders to promote vibrant cohesive communities.
Experience
-
2025–presentResearch scientist, Western University
-
2023–presentBoard Member, International Town and Gown Association
-
2019–presentPresident, Town and Gown Association of Ontario
-
2018–2024Research associate, Western University
-
2016–2018Research Assistant, University of Waterloo
-
2016–2016Planner, Research & Analytics, Regional Municipality of Waterloo
-
2015–2015Assistant Project Officer, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
Education
-
2024Western University, PhD, Geography
-
2020Western University, Master of Arts, Geography
-
2018University of Waterloo, Diploma in Environmental Assessment
-
2018University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Planning
Publications
-
2025Does outdoor advertising correlate with retail food purchases made by adolescents? A cross-sectional study in Canada, Health Promotion International
-
2025Restaurant survival during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining operational, demographic and land use predictors in London, Canada, Urban Studies
-
2025“I like seeing people, different cultures, and hearing different music”: Exploring adolescent perspectives of inclusive and healthy high-rise and dense urban environment designs, Landscape and Urban Planning
-
2025Urbanization, housing, and inclusive design for all? A community-based participatory research investigation of the health implications of high-rise environments for adolescents, Cities
-
2024Land-use planning approaches to near-campus neighbourhoods and student housing development patterns in Ontario, Canada, Housing Policy Debate
-
2024Relationships Between Measures of the Physical Activity-Related Built Environment and Excess Weight in Preschoolers: A Retrospective, Population-Level Cohort Study, Childhood Obesity
-
2024Studentification and student wellbeing in the private rented sector: further reflections on Lynch et al, Perspectives in Public Health
-
2023Neighbourhood influences on youth mental health and stress levels during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cities & Health
-
2023The workplace as a therapeutic landscape: Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of food hospitality employees, SSM - Qualitative Research in Health
-
2023Analyzing differences between spatial exposure estimation methods: A case study of outdoor food and beverage advertising in London, Canada, Health & Place
-
2022The quantity and composition of household food waste during the COVID-19 pandemic: A direct measurement study in Canada, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences
-
2021Examining how changes in provincial policy on vape marketing impacted the distribution of vaping advertisements near secondary schools in London, Canada, Canadian Journal of Public Health
-
2021Food for thought: The role of planners in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on the food environment, Y Magazine
-
2021The public realm during public health emergencies: Exploring local-level responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cities & Health
-
2020Evidence synthesis - Physical activity and social connectedness interventions in outdoor spaces among children and youth: A rapid review, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada: Research, Policy and Practice
-
2019The ever-changing narrative: Supervised injection site policy making in Ontario, Canada, International Journal of Drug Policy
-
2019Holding the keys to health? A scoping study of the population health impacts of automated vehicles, BMC Public Health
-
2019Is cancer prevention influenced by the built environment? A multidisciplinary scoping review, Cancer
-
2018Smart prevention: A new approach to primary and secondary cancer prevention in smart and connected communities, Cities
Professional Memberships
- Candidate Member, Ontario Professional Planners Institute
- Candidate Member, Canadian Institute of Planners
Contact Alexander for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Location: London, Canada
- Website
- BlueSky: @wrayaj.bsky.social
- LinkedIn: alexanderajwray
- X (formerly Twitter): @WrayAJ
- Article Feed
- ORCID
- Joined
