![Crispin Cooper FHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/6969?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Crispin Cooper
FHEA
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Crispin Cooper
Senior Lecturer
Overview
I started out modelling sustainable transport, but you can’t understand that without understanding what people want from life overall, so now I model well-being, politics and social media echo chambers too. Along the way I also started working with games and (like everyone else) AI. My interests are broad, so you can expect all this to change as we go along.
My spatial network analysis software sDNA is used by thousands of academics and practitioners to simulate pedestrian and cyclist behaviour worldwide.
I have worked with numerous external partners to deliver impact, in particular engineering consultancies Arup Group Ltd and Wedderburn Transport Planning, sustainable transport charities Green Alliance and Sustrans, and the Office for National Statistics.
Publication
2025
- Cooper, C. H. V., Fahey, K. and Jones, R. 2025. Biased perceptions of public opinion don’t define echo chambers but reveal systematic differences in political awareness. PLoS ONE 20(6), article number: e0324507. (10.1371/journal.pone.0324507)
- Cooper, C. 2025. Interactive maps of UK rail flows: Visualising costs and times. Project Report. [Online]. Green Alliance. Available at: https://fiftysevendegreesofrad.github.io/UKRailFlows/
- Cooper, C. 2025. Next stop, better rail: Technical report. Technical Report.
2024
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2024. Bayesian inference of elevation to reduce large interpolation errors in 2-d road features draped over digital elevation models. IEEE Access 12, pp. 54371-54387. (10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3388292)
- Cooper, C., Haggar, P. and Hinshelwood, K. 2024. Linked cycle + public transport policy modelling to fit the carbon reduction agenda. Presented at: Cycling Research Board 8th Annual Meeting, Zurich, Switzerland, September 2024.
- Cooper, C., Parrott, J., Chiaradia, A. and Lovelace, R. 2024. Some open source tools for cycle modelling. Presented at: Cycling Research Board 8th Annual Meeting, Zurich, Switzerland, September 2024.
2023
- Haggar, P. and Cooper, C. 2023. TrafRed model specification 1.0. London: Green Alliance.
- Haggar, P. and Cooper, C. 2023. TrafRed interactive traffic reduction model. London: Green Alliance.
- Allen, R., Bennett, H., Cooper, C. and Haggar, P. 2023. Moving on: greener travel for the UK. Project Report. [Online]. London, U.K.: Green Alliance. Available at: https://green-alliance.org.uk/publication/moving-on-greener-travel-for-the-uk/
2022
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2022. Exploring potential applications of quantum computing in transportation modelling. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems 23(9) (10.1109/TITS.2021.3132161)
2021
- Hossain, M. A. and Cooper, C. H. V. 2021. Spatial Network Analysis as a tool for measuring change in accessibility over time: limits of transport investment as a driver for UK regional development.. Growth and Change 52(4), pp. 2124-2148. (10.1111/grow.12512)
- Cooper, C. H. V., Harvey, I., Orford, S. and Chiaradia, A. J. F. 2021. Using multiple hybrid spatial design network analysis to predict longitudinal effect of a major city centre redevelopment on pedestrian flows. Transportation 48, pp. 643-672. (10.1007/s11116-019-10072-0)
2020
- Cooper, C. H. 2020. sDNA: 3-d spatial network analysis for GIS, CAD, command line & Python. SoftwareX 12, article number: 100525. (10.1016/j.softx.2020.100525)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2020. Quantitative models of well-being to inform policy: Problems and opportunities. Sustainability 12(8), article number: 3180. (10.3390/su12083180)
2019
- Cooper, C. H. V. and Yin Cheung Chang, E. 2019. Using road class as a replacement for predicted motorized traffic flow in spatial network models of cycling. Scientific Reports 9, article number: 19724. (10.1038/s41598-019-55669-8)
2018
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2018. Smartphones & hills - common issues, and how to fix them. UK Hillwalking, article number: 10285.
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2018. Predictive spatial network analysis for high resolution transport modelling, applied to cyclist flows, mode choice and targeting investment. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation 12(10), pp. 714-724. (10.1080/15568318.2018.1432730)
- Potoglou, D., Cooper, C. and Arellano, . 2018. The role of the built environment on household car ownership in Santiago de Chile. Presented at: NECTAR Cluster 6, Lyon, 2018.
- Cooper, C. and Price, R. 2018. Uncovering accessibility blackspots for people with disabilities. Presented at: LANDOR Transport & Health, Portsmouth, 2018.
- Cooper, C. and Chan, E. 2018. Link level, heterogeneous models of cyclist behavior in Cardiff. Presented at: NECTAR Cluster 6, Lyon, 2018.
- Cooper, C. 2018. A theoretical framework for accessibility applied to network models of transportation, land use and economic productivity. Presented at: NECTAR Cluster 6, Lyon, 2018.
- Cooper, C. 2018. Spatial network analysis for active travel, transport, land use and economic modelling. Presented at: Modelling World 2018, Birmingham, England, 5-6 June 2018.
- Cooper, C., Harvey, I. and Orford, S. 2018. Testing the ability of multivariate hybrid spatial network analysis to predict the effect of a major urban redevelopment on pedestrian flows. Presented at: GISRUK 2018: 26th GIScience Research UK Conference, University of Leicester, 17-20 April 2018.
2017
- Webb, B., Harris, N., Cooper, C. and Healy, A. 2017. Identification of regional areas for the National Development Framework. Project Report. Welsh Government.
- Cooper, C. 2017. Could an auto logic checker be the solution to the fake news problem?. [Online]. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/could-an-auto-logic-checker-be-the-solution-to-the-fake-news-problem-73223
- Collins, A. and Cooper, C. 2017. Measuring and managing the environmental impact of festivals: The contribution of the Ecological Footprint. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 25(1), pp. 148-162. (10.1080/09669582.2016.1189922)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2017. Using spatial network analysis to model pedal cycle flows, risk and mode choice.. Journal of Transport Geography 58, pp. 157-165. (10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.12.003)
2016
- Cooper, C. 2016. Spatial Design Network Analysis (sDNA) version 3.4 Manual. Cardiff University.
- Cooper, C. 2016. Spatial Design Network Analysis (sDNA) software version 3.4.5. Cardiff University.
2015
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2015. Spatial localization of closeness and betweenness measures: a self-contradictory but useful form of network analysis. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 29(8), pp. 1293-1309. (10.1080/13658816.2015.1018834)
- Cooper, C. and Chiaradia, A. J. 2015. sDNA: how and why we reinvented Spatial Network Analysis for health, economics and active modes of transport. Presented at: GISRUK, Leeds, 15-17 April 2015 Presented at Malleson, N. ed.GIS Research UK (GISRUK) 2015 Proceedings. figshare pp. 122-127., (10.6084/m9.figshare.1491375.v3)
2014
- Chiaradia, A. J. and Cooper, C. 2014. Network geography and accessibility. Presented at: 12th Annual UK Transport Practitioners Meeting, London, UK, 2-3 July 2014.
- Cooper, C. H. V., Fone, D. L. and Chiaradia, A. J. F. 2014. Measuring the impact of spatial network layout on community social cohesion: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Health Geographics 13, article number: 11. (10.1186/1476-072X-13-11)
2013
- Cooper, C., Orford, S., Webster, C. J. and Jones, C. B. 2013. Exploring the ripple effect and spatial volatility in house prices in England and Wales: regressing interaction domain cross-correlations against reactive statistics. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 40(5), pp. 763-782. (10.1068/b37062)
2012
- Cooper, C., Chiaradia, A. J. and Webster, C. 2012. Spatial Design Network Analysis software. Cardiff University.
2010
- Howard, D., Tyrrell, A. and Cooper, C. 2010. Towards an alternative to Magnetic Resonance Imaging for vocal tract shape measurement using the principles of evolution. In: Smith, S. and Cagnoni, S. eds. Genetic and Evolutionary Computation: Medical Applications. John Wiley and Sons, pp. 191-207., (10.1002/9780470973134.ch11)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2010. Exploratory analysis of large spatial time series and network interaction data sets: house prices in England and Wales. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
2009
- Howard, D., Tyrell, A., Murphy, D. and Cooper, C. 2009. Bio-inspired evolutionary oral tract shape modelling for physical modelling vocal synthesis. Journal of Voice 23(1), pp. 11-20. (10.1016/j.jvoice.2007.03.003)
2006
- Cooper, C., Murphy, D., Howard, D. and Tyrrell, A. 2006. Singing synthesis with an evolved physical model. IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech and Language Processing 14(4), pp. 1454-1461. (10.1109/TSA.2005.860844)
Articles
- Cooper, C. H. V., Fahey, K. and Jones, R. 2025. Biased perceptions of public opinion don’t define echo chambers but reveal systematic differences in political awareness. PLoS ONE 20(6), article number: e0324507. (10.1371/journal.pone.0324507)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2024. Bayesian inference of elevation to reduce large interpolation errors in 2-d road features draped over digital elevation models. IEEE Access 12, pp. 54371-54387. (10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3388292)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2022. Exploring potential applications of quantum computing in transportation modelling. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems 23(9) (10.1109/TITS.2021.3132161)
- Hossain, M. A. and Cooper, C. H. V. 2021. Spatial Network Analysis as a tool for measuring change in accessibility over time: limits of transport investment as a driver for UK regional development.. Growth and Change 52(4), pp. 2124-2148. (10.1111/grow.12512)
- Cooper, C. H. V., Harvey, I., Orford, S. and Chiaradia, A. J. F. 2021. Using multiple hybrid spatial design network analysis to predict longitudinal effect of a major city centre redevelopment on pedestrian flows. Transportation 48, pp. 643-672. (10.1007/s11116-019-10072-0)
- Cooper, C. H. 2020. sDNA: 3-d spatial network analysis for GIS, CAD, command line & Python. SoftwareX 12, article number: 100525. (10.1016/j.softx.2020.100525)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2020. Quantitative models of well-being to inform policy: Problems and opportunities. Sustainability 12(8), article number: 3180. (10.3390/su12083180)
- Cooper, C. H. V. and Yin Cheung Chang, E. 2019. Using road class as a replacement for predicted motorized traffic flow in spatial network models of cycling. Scientific Reports 9, article number: 19724. (10.1038/s41598-019-55669-8)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2018. Smartphones & hills - common issues, and how to fix them. UK Hillwalking, article number: 10285.
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2018. Predictive spatial network analysis for high resolution transport modelling, applied to cyclist flows, mode choice and targeting investment. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation 12(10), pp. 714-724. (10.1080/15568318.2018.1432730)
- Collins, A. and Cooper, C. 2017. Measuring and managing the environmental impact of festivals: The contribution of the Ecological Footprint. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 25(1), pp. 148-162. (10.1080/09669582.2016.1189922)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2017. Using spatial network analysis to model pedal cycle flows, risk and mode choice.. Journal of Transport Geography 58, pp. 157-165. (10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.12.003)
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2015. Spatial localization of closeness and betweenness measures: a self-contradictory but useful form of network analysis. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 29(8), pp. 1293-1309. (10.1080/13658816.2015.1018834)
- Cooper, C. H. V., Fone, D. L. and Chiaradia, A. J. F. 2014. Measuring the impact of spatial network layout on community social cohesion: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Health Geographics 13, article number: 11. (10.1186/1476-072X-13-11)
- Cooper, C., Orford, S., Webster, C. J. and Jones, C. B. 2013. Exploring the ripple effect and spatial volatility in house prices in England and Wales: regressing interaction domain cross-correlations against reactive statistics. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 40(5), pp. 763-782. (10.1068/b37062)
- Howard, D., Tyrell, A., Murphy, D. and Cooper, C. 2009. Bio-inspired evolutionary oral tract shape modelling for physical modelling vocal synthesis. Journal of Voice 23(1), pp. 11-20. (10.1016/j.jvoice.2007.03.003)
- Cooper, C., Murphy, D., Howard, D. and Tyrrell, A. 2006. Singing synthesis with an evolved physical model. IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech and Language Processing 14(4), pp. 1454-1461. (10.1109/TSA.2005.860844)
Book sections
- Howard, D., Tyrrell, A. and Cooper, C. 2010. Towards an alternative to Magnetic Resonance Imaging for vocal tract shape measurement using the principles of evolution. In: Smith, S. and Cagnoni, S. eds. Genetic and Evolutionary Computation: Medical Applications. John Wiley and Sons, pp. 191-207., (10.1002/9780470973134.ch11)
Conferences
- Cooper, C., Haggar, P. and Hinshelwood, K. 2024. Linked cycle + public transport policy modelling to fit the carbon reduction agenda. Presented at: Cycling Research Board 8th Annual Meeting, Zurich, Switzerland, September 2024.
- Cooper, C., Parrott, J., Chiaradia, A. and Lovelace, R. 2024. Some open source tools for cycle modelling. Presented at: Cycling Research Board 8th Annual Meeting, Zurich, Switzerland, September 2024.
- Potoglou, D., Cooper, C. and Arellano, . 2018. The role of the built environment on household car ownership in Santiago de Chile. Presented at: NECTAR Cluster 6, Lyon, 2018.
- Cooper, C. and Price, R. 2018. Uncovering accessibility blackspots for people with disabilities. Presented at: LANDOR Transport & Health, Portsmouth, 2018.
- Cooper, C. and Chan, E. 2018. Link level, heterogeneous models of cyclist behavior in Cardiff. Presented at: NECTAR Cluster 6, Lyon, 2018.
- Cooper, C. 2018. A theoretical framework for accessibility applied to network models of transportation, land use and economic productivity. Presented at: NECTAR Cluster 6, Lyon, 2018.
- Cooper, C. 2018. Spatial network analysis for active travel, transport, land use and economic modelling. Presented at: Modelling World 2018, Birmingham, England, 5-6 June 2018.
- Cooper, C., Harvey, I. and Orford, S. 2018. Testing the ability of multivariate hybrid spatial network analysis to predict the effect of a major urban redevelopment on pedestrian flows. Presented at: GISRUK 2018: 26th GIScience Research UK Conference, University of Leicester, 17-20 April 2018.
- Cooper, C. and Chiaradia, A. J. 2015. sDNA: how and why we reinvented Spatial Network Analysis for health, economics and active modes of transport. Presented at: GISRUK, Leeds, 15-17 April 2015 Presented at Malleson, N. ed.GIS Research UK (GISRUK) 2015 Proceedings. figshare pp. 122-127., (10.6084/m9.figshare.1491375.v3)
- Chiaradia, A. J. and Cooper, C. 2014. Network geography and accessibility. Presented at: 12th Annual UK Transport Practitioners Meeting, London, UK, 2-3 July 2014.
Monographs
- Cooper, C. 2025. Interactive maps of UK rail flows: Visualising costs and times. Project Report. [Online]. Green Alliance. Available at: https://fiftysevendegreesofrad.github.io/UKRailFlows/
- Cooper, C. 2025. Next stop, better rail: Technical report. Technical Report.
- Allen, R., Bennett, H., Cooper, C. and Haggar, P. 2023. Moving on: greener travel for the UK. Project Report. [Online]. London, U.K.: Green Alliance. Available at: https://green-alliance.org.uk/publication/moving-on-greener-travel-for-the-uk/
- Webb, B., Harris, N., Cooper, C. and Healy, A. 2017. Identification of regional areas for the National Development Framework. Project Report. Welsh Government.
Other
- Haggar, P. and Cooper, C. 2023. TrafRed model specification 1.0. London: Green Alliance.
- Haggar, P. and Cooper, C. 2023. TrafRed interactive traffic reduction model. London: Green Alliance.
- Cooper, C. 2016. Spatial Design Network Analysis (sDNA) version 3.4 Manual. Cardiff University.
- Cooper, C. 2016. Spatial Design Network Analysis (sDNA) software version 3.4.5. Cardiff University.
- Cooper, C., Chiaradia, A. J. and Webster, C. 2012. Spatial Design Network Analysis software. Cardiff University.
Thesis
- Cooper, C. H. V. 2010. Exploratory analysis of large spatial time series and network interaction data sets: house prices in England and Wales. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Websites
- Cooper, C. 2017. Could an auto logic checker be the solution to the fake news problem?. [Online]. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/could-an-auto-logic-checker-be-the-solution-to-the-fake-news-problem-73223
Research
Broadly speaking I am interested in both data science theory, and its application to support a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable world. For a while I have focussed on models of transport, and found that to really understand transport we need to understand the rest of society too - from politics and land use to health and well-being - so my models are always building outwards from that starting point.
My research background was initially in Computer Science; working for the Intelligent Systems group at the University of York I helped to develop microchips capable of evolution, growth, self-repair and learning. I also spent time in commercial research & development, as part of a team creating bluetooth firmware which was able to link to the first iPhone back in 2006.
Having a long-term interest in sustainable development, I worked as a project volunteer in Uganda during 2006.
My PhD was completed at Cardiff University's School of Geography and Planning (formerly City and Regional Planning), using high performance computing to visualise and model large quantities of housing market socioeconomic data collected from the UK census and Land Registry. This was funded by a Richard Whipp studentship.
From there I went on to become a Research Fellow in the Sustainable Places Research Institute, working there for around 10 years.
My network analysis software sDNA is used by over 2000 researchers and practitioners worldwide, particularly for planning sustainable transport networks, and was subject of a REF Impact case study in 2014.
As of 2025 I have won funding totalling £107k as PI, and contributed to approx. £6.5 million of successful funding bids as Co-I:
2024: PI: Targeted Research Growth Studentship, Cardiff University
2024: PI: Accelerating Modal Shift, Foundation for Integrated Transport, £30k
2023: Co-I, CLean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS). NSF/UKRI, UKRI component £6m.
2022: PI, Road Traffic Reduction Scenarios, Foundation for Integrated Transport, £21k
2021: PI, sDNA for RhinoCAD, Shenzhen University £8k
2020: PI, Sustrans, Modelling Monmouthshire Active Travel Networks, academic component £19k
2020: PI, 3d Urban Design workflows with sDNA. £6k
2020: PI, Gamification of data collection on political meta-views, network analysis of social media bubbles and predictors of COVID19 behaviour. £800
2016-19: Income from industrial & academic sales of sDNA+ software totalling approx. £13k
2019: PI, Wedderburn Transport Planning & Design Economics, sDNA enhancements for pedestrian modelling, £6k
2017: Co-I, Welsh Government, Data-Defined Regions for the National Development Framework, £45k
2016: Co-I, Data Innovation Institute Seedcorn, Improving pedestrian data modelling for a more vibrant high street, £20k. Resulting in the first longitudinal forecast test for a strategic pedestrian model thus providing peer reviewed scientific evidence to support ongoing use of sDNA+ in pedestrian models
2015: Co-I, ESRC Impact Accelerator, “sDNA for All” (Spatial Network Analysis for active travel), £20k + £44k contributions in kind from partners Arup, WSP, BuroHappold, Wedderburn Transport Planning, Sustrans. Identifying and addressing barriers to uptake of sDNA in sustainable transport modelling. As a result, partners now make use of sDNA+ to deliver pedestrian and cycling analysis to clients (I am aware of around £400,000 of related contracts)
2015: PI, Evaluation of population catchments, Canal & Rivers Trust, £3,500
2012-16: Contributions to several successful small bids in which my components total approx. £12k for Cardiff Council, Hong Kong University, Tongji University
2004: Initiated and wrote core contribution to Intelligent Systems (Evolvable Hardware) EPSRC proposal awarded £330k on subsequent resubmission
Teaching
I currently teach
- Modern Web Applications on the BSc Computer Science course
- Algorithms, Data Structures and Programming on the MSc Computing course
I became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2024.
Biography
Senior Lecturer, School of Computer Science & Informatics, Cardiff University 2024-present
Lecturer, School of Computer Science & Informatics, Cardiff University 2020-2024
Research Fellow, Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University 2019-2020
Research Associate, Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University 2011-2019
Research Associate, City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University 2010
PhD Computer Science & Geography, Cardiff University 2006-2010
Development Volunteer, Uganda 2006
Software Engineer, Cambridge Silicon Radio, 2006
Research Associate, Department of Electronics, University of York 2003-2005
MA (hons) Computer Science and Physics, University of Cambridge 1999-2002
Professional memberships
FHEA 2024
AFHEA 2019
Committees and reviewing
Working group member for Planetary Health University Research Network
NERC Panel Member “Discipline hopping for environmental solutions” 2021
Data Science Theme Deputy for the Cardiff University & Office for National Statistics strategic partnership 2020-2024
Reviewer for Transportation Research, Int. Jnl Geographic Information Systems, Jnl American Planning Assoc., Urban Studies, PeerJ, Jnl Transport & Health, Int. Jnl. Sustainable Transportation
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising PhD students on any topic aligned with my research. I will generally consider students with a STEM background e.g. computer science, physics, maths, statistics, but also those with a background in a domain such as geography, transport planning, economics, politics, social science coupled with strong quantitative skills and experience with/ability to learn programming.
Current supervision
Ana Fredrich-Queiroz
Contact Details
+44 29208 76072
Abacws, Room 4.63, Senghennydd Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4AG
Research themes
Specialisms
- Data Science
- Sustainable Transportation
- Socioeconomic modelling
- Well-being
- Serious games