Katie Pennick, doctoral candidate at the University of Westminster who has lived experience of disability, has been accepted on the PhD Scholarship Grant Programme from the Motability Foundation to undertake research into accessible active travel spaces, drawing on the experiences of disabled individuals.
The Motability Foundation offers funding, support, research and innovation to help disabled people make the journeys they choose. This includes awarding grants to other charities and organisations who provide different types of transport, or work towards making transport accessible. Following a pilot programme in 2021, the charity offers scholarships to support those with lived experience of disability to undertake research into how to improve accessible transport.
The programme began in 2021 with only one university involved. Now the initiative has been extended to three more universities including the University of Westminster. The research areas include accessible transport policy, practice and design.
The title of Pennick’s project is Cripping Car-free Cities: Challenging Normalcy in the Co-design of Active Travel Spaces. It aims to develop a design practice for accessible active travel spaces, drawing on the experiences of disabled individuals and will analyse how disabled people navigate urban areas related to active travel. The data will inform theory, design and policy to enhance accessibility in transport and urban studies, focusing on bus stop bypasses due to a lack of design guidance.
With students across four universities will be able to work with other recipients to create a peer network which will offer mutual support and the opportunity for knowledge exchange, mentoring and making connections with industry stakeholders.
The academic supervisory team is comprised of Professor Rachel Aldred, Professor of Transport and Director of the University's Active Travel Academy, Dr Enrica Papa, Reader in Transport Planning, and Dr Harrie Larrington-Spencer, Research Fellow in the Active Travel Academy.
Dr Papa said: “The Motability Foundation PhD scholarship is crucial in promoting inclusivity in transport. By supporting disabled students in advanced research, it drives innovation in accessible transport design and policy, ensuring future systems are equitable and inclusive for all.”
Rachael Badger, the Director of Performance and Innovation at the Motability Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be awarding grants through our PhD Scholarship Programme to support more disabled people to use their lived experience to undertake research into transport design, policy and practice. Research led by disabled people, with an understanding of the complex issues faced in travel, is key to finding accessible transport solutions."
The research project and the opportunities available thanks to the Motability Foundation directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about bursaries and awards for current students at the University of Westminster.
