Why attend this event?
Local transport teams are under pressure to deliver sustainable, data-driven solutions, yet often lack clear pathways to apply relevant research and innovation.
The Transport Research in Practice event, brings together leading researchers and practitioners to explore how academic insight can support real-world transport challenges and opportunities. This event will feature three expert speakers, each presenting on key themes shaping the future of transport, followed by facilitated round table discussions designed to explore these topics in more depth through, reflection, and thought-provoking questions.
The programme begins with a focus on community engagement and decarbonisation, led by Professor Greg Marsden, Professor of Transport Governance at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds. Drawing on work from the INFUZE project, this session will explore how tools, data, and participatory approaches are being used to help shape more liveable, low-carbon communities. Attendees will gain insight into how citizen perspectives, trade-offs, and data modelling can inform future transport systems, alongside practical resources that can be adapted for local engagement activities.
The second session features Dr Sam Chapman, Founder of The Floow and a leading expert in transport data and analytics. Drawing on the PHOEBE project and UK case studies, including work in the West Midlands, Dr Chapman will explore the growing role of data in transport planning. The session will highlight both the challenges and opportunities of new data sources, and how local authorities can engage more confidently with research projects to unlock practical, real-world benefits.
The final session is delivered by Dr Dawn Rahman, who will present research on the lived experiences of mothers cycling with children in the UK. Her work highlights the practical, social, and infrastructural barriers faced in everyday journeys, and the adaptations families make to continue cycling. This session will be followed by a practical workshop where participants will identify realistic actions their organisations can take to better support inclusive, family-friendly active travel.
Across the event, attendees will have the opportunity to select one speaker-led roundtable discussion, allowing for deeper exploration of a chosen topic. These sessions will provide a more focused setting to engage directly with speakers, ask in-depth questions, and reflect on key themes. Participants will leave with valuable insights and connections to support future collaboration between academia, local authorities, and industry.
The event will conclude with a dedicated feedback and reflection session, providing attendees with the opportunity to share insights, discuss key takeaways, and identify how the learning can be applied within their own organisations.
What to Expect
Greg Marsden - Professor of Transport Governance at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds
Drawing on his expertise in transport governance and behaviour change, Professor Greg Marsden sets the scene by exploring how communities can be more effectively engaged in shaping low-carbon, liveable transport systems. Drawing on insights from the INFUZE project, this session examines how local authorities can better understand public priorities, navigate trade-offs, and use data and participatory tools to support more inclusive and sustainable transport decisions.
What to expect:
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Insight into how communities perceive and respond to future transport and decarbonisation challenges
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An understanding of the trade-offs citizens are willing (and unwilling) to make
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Examples of tools and approaches to support meaningful public engagement
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Practical resources and ideas that can be adapted for local authority engagement and consultation activities
Dr Sam Chapman - Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer The Floow Limited
Drawing on his experience as a data leader and founder of The Floow, Dr Sam Chapman explores the growing role of data in shaping transport systems and decision-making. Using insights from the PHOEBE project and real-world applications in the West Midlands, this session examines how local authorities can better understand, access, and apply emerging data sources, while building confidence to engage with research and innovation projects.
What to expect:
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Insight into the opportunities and challenges of using new and emerging transport data
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An understanding of how data can be applied to real-world transport problems
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Awareness of how local authorities can engage with research projects and partnerships
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Practical examples of how data-driven approaches can inform decision-making and delivery
Dr Dawn Rahman - Associate at Notabene PhD Mad or Magnificent? Mothers who cycle with their Children in the UK
Drawing on her research into active travel and lived experience, Dr Dawn Rahman explores the realities of cycling with children in the UK, with a particular focus on mothers undertaking complex, multi-stop journeys. This session highlights the practical, social, and infrastructural barriers faced, and considers how transport systems and policies can better support inclusive, family-friendly travel.
What to expect:
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Insight into the real-world challenges faced by mothers cycling with children
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An understanding of how infrastructure, cost, and social factors influence travel choices
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Reflections on how transport systems can better support inclusive and everyday journeys
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A practical workshop to identify realistic actions organisations can take to support family cycling
Round Table Discussions
This session offers attendees the opportunity to engage more deeply with the themes explored during the event through speaker-led roundtable discussions. Participants will select one speaker’s session to join, allowing for a more focused and in-depth exploration of a chosen topic through discussion, reflection, and direct Q&A.
What to expect:
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The opportunity to select one speaker and topic most relevant to your interests
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Deeper insight into key themes and research presented during the event
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Open, small-group roundtable discussion in a more informal setting
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The chance to ask in-depth questions and explore ideas with both speakers and peers
What you'll go away with
Practical tools and approaches to apply research, data, and engagement techniques to real-world transport challenges
Greater confidence to collaborate with academia and use new data to inform local transport planning and decision-making
Actionable ideas to deliver more inclusive, sustainable transport solutions within your organisation
Tea, Coffee & Networking
We’ll kick off the morning with freshly brewed coffee and a selection of teas, the perfect way to start the day and ease into conversations with fellow attendees.
While we won’t be providing food, you’ll be right in the heart of Sheffield, with plenty of great cafés, restaurants, and grab-and-go options just a short walk away.
And the conversation doesn’t have to stop when the sessions end there’ll be plenty of opportunities to stick around, connect with speakers, and continue networking after the event.
Experts Attending
Meet the experts who will be there.
Professor of Transport Governance - ITS Leeds
Greg Marsden
Greg is a Professor of Transport Governance at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds. His research focuses on how governance, policy, and behavioural change can support the transition to more sustainable, low-carbon transport systems. He has extensive experience working with governments and local authorities on transport strategy, decarbonisation, and future mobility, and is a leading voice in shaping evidence-based transport policy in the UK.
Director/ Co-Founder - The Floow Limited
Dr Sam Chapman
Dr Sam Chapman is Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at The Floow, a global leader in mobility data and analytics. His work focuses on using data and behavioural insights to improve road safety, understand travel behaviour, and support smarter transport systems, working closely with government, industry, and research partners.
Associate - Nota Bene Consulting
Dr Dawn Rahman
Dr Dawn Rahman is an Associate at Nota Bene Consulting and a member of the Active Travel Academy at the University of Westminster. She has over 25 years’ experience spanning policy, research and delivery across sustainable transport and active travel, including within local authority settings. Her work combines mixed-methods research, evaluation and strategy development, with a particular interest in making transport more inclusive and responsive to everyday journeys.