Air Quality Ethnography to Support Birmingham’s Air Quality Health Needs Assessment

Birmingham City Council (the Council) is seeking to appoint an organisation to deliver an ethnographic research study that forms a key component of Birmingham City Councils’ Air Quality Health Needs Assessment (AQHNA). The study will explore residents lived experiences of air pollution in their everyday situations (e.g. travelling to work or school, health-related challenges) to support evidence‑based recommendations and actions towards reducing air‑pollution‑related health inequalities. The work supports statutory public health duties relating to environmental health, health inequalities, prevention and the Air Quality Outcomes Framework. It reflects the Council’s statutory role in environmental health to improve air quality and aligns with national Director of Public Health (DPH) responsibilities to protect population health from environmental risks. It will generate narrative case studies, qualitative insights and recommendations to strengthen the assessment of air pollution impacts in Birmingham. The contract for the services is expected to commence 1st May 2026 and will be in place for a period of up to 2 months.