Qualification Type: | PhD |
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Location: | Birmingham |
Funding for: | UK Students, EU Students, International Students |
Funding amount: | The funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, in-line with the Research Council values, which comprises a tax-free stipend paid monthly (2024/5 - £19,237) per year and a Full Time Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years. |
Hours: | Full Time |
Placed On: | 11th April 2024 |
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Closes: | 30th April 2024 |
Reference: | TranSport-39939640 |
Project Description:
Active travel is rapidly becoming a societal force, motivated by environmental consciousness, financial considerations, health imperatives, and personal fulfilment aspirations. Yet, current research, policy and practice confines its focus primarily to walking and cycling, neglecting an entire spectrum of alternative active travel options, including running, kick-scooting, skateboarding, roller-skating, manual wheelchair use, skiing, and kayaking. Taking forward Cook et al.'s (2022) invitation to reimagine active travel, this project explores a broader range of alternative modes to better understand these practices and their impact, leading to increased opportunities for participation in and rewards from active travel for individuals and societies.
The study aims to uncover how people engage with alternative active travel modes, exploring their experiences and the implications. These activities not only contribute to healthier and more sustainable lifestyles but also offer inclusive and enjoyable alternatives to the predominant emphasis on walking and cycling. Doing so, this project adopts an interdisciplinary approach that integrates sport and leisure studies, transport and mobility studies, and health studies to offer new perspectives on active travel.
Employing rigorous mixed methods, including surveys and (mobile) interviews, the research seeks to understand the use, experience, and effects of alternative active travel. The project's potential contributions are vast, addressing a critical gap in understanding these overlooked practices and offering empirical and theoretical insights into the intersection of sport, health and transport. It has the capacity to influence policies and social futures around healthy, sustainable travel and sport, physical activity and exercise.
Anticipated Findings and Contribution to Knowledge:
This project will advance understanding across a variety of fronts, with anticipated findings and contributions to knowledge including:
Contact (and Director of Studies for this project): Dr Simon Cook - Simon.Cook@bcu.ac.uk
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