Air Quality Information System Review

Between December 2021 and December 2024 Defra (with support from UKHSA) conducted a comprehensive review into the way air quality information is communicated to the public. 

The Air Quality Information System review (AQIS) was guided by a multi-disciplinary steering group comprised of specialists in the fields of air quality science, public health, behavioural science and digital communications, along with representatives from vulnerable communities, the general public and local government.

The steering group were responsible for:

  • providing direction and oversight to the review, 
  • examining the air quality communications evidence base, 
  • recommending a programme of research to address gaps in current understanding
  • and, ultimately, proposing a series of actionable and evidence-based recommendations for changes that can be made to improve the government’s provision of air quality information.

The final report and recommendations from the AQIS review can be read here.  

Terms of Reference

Download the Terms of Reference document.

Membership

The steering group is no longer active.  Up to December 2024 the steering group comprised:  

Chair:

Dr Bill Parish, Defra

Members:

Professor Ally Lewis, University of York, National Centre for Atmospheric Science. Chair of the Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG).

Professor Anna Hansell, University of Leicester, Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, Chair of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP).

Dr Johanna Feary, Academic consultant in occupational lung disease and Royal College of Physicians (RCP) fellow based at Royal Brompton Hospital.

Chloe Owen, Policy and Public Affairs Officer – air quality at Asthma + Lung UK.

Gillian Mawdsley, Lay Member

Dr Kirsty Smallbone, Head of School of the Environment and Technology, University of Brighton.

Matthew Clark, Programme Manager – Air Quality, Hertfordshire County Council.

Andrew Grieve, Senior Air Quality Analyst, Imperial College London. 

Advisor to the Chair:

Professor Sir Stephen Holgate – Medical Research Council Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology (University of Southampton) and UKRI Clean Air Champion.

Minutes and Reports

Please visit the Publications page for Minutes and Reports.

Contact details

AQIS Secretariat
Defra
Seacole Block
Ground Floor
2 Marsham Street
London, SW1P 4DF
Email: aqisreview@defra.gov.uk


All correspondence for AQIS should be sent through the Secretariat.