​With the Bristol Aerosol Research Centre (BARC) & NIHR AERATOR group he leads research into the airborne transmission of SARSCoV2 providing an evidence-based approach to UK infection control and the safe restoration of NHS services. With the Centre for Digital Technology (EPSRC funded SPHERE project) he tests and develops novel digital technology in COPD & Asthma to reduce the impact of exacerbations and risk of hospitalisation. ​

​With the Wellcome Trust funded ‘Life of Breath Project’ he worked with academics across the Arts to understand the nature of breathlessness leading to an extensive community engagement, education and policy document submitted to UK parliament. James leads respiratory collaborations with the MRC IEU and ALSPAC using integrated epidemiology to understand the risk factors for developing chronic lung disease and multimorbidity which forms the basis of a programme of translational research. ​

​Dr Dodd has published in the leading respiratory journals such as Lancet respiratory, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care, European Respiratory Journal & Thorax with a citation rate >2200. His PI grant income is £885K, which includes the UKs first MRC Clinical academic research partnerships award (£282K) and the ALSPAC@30 Lung Health study looking at the origins of lung disease and the impact of COVID-19 (£191K) and Digital technology totalling £340K with Co-I funding of £10.3M.​