Disseminating Transport Geography Research

1. Disseminating Transport Geography Research Dr. Karen Lucas Associate Professor, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds Chair of RGS/IBG Transport Geography Research Group Associate editor Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier Publocations

2. Dissemination • Non-academic outputs • Policy briefings • Practical guidance notes • Case studies • Public facing events • Demonstration days • Audiences • Business sector • Politicians • Policymakers • NGOs • Communities (of place and interest) • The Media • Social media

3. Aims to … • Strengthen research impact (RCUK and EU projects) • Raise the profile of your research with end users • Raise the profile of your organisation • Develop a product or tool for the market • Make a difference on the ground • Support the policy process • Provide evidence for decision-making • Lobby for change • Generate community activity

4. Fit for purpose • Keep it brief and concise – avoid explaining complexities • Talk to your audience – change the writing style and format of your materials accordingly • Use everyday language and avoid over-use of jargon and technical terms • Focus on a few key findings – NOT research rationale, methods • Say why they are relevant e.g. ‘it’s the first time in the UK that…’; ‘contrary to previous research, my sudy shows that…’ • Stay on message and don’t waffle

5. Writing for policymakers • Policy briefing notes – short 2-4 page (max.) summaries • 1st page 5 key points/findings • 2nd page background facts and figures to support the argument/findings • 3rd page what does it mean/what should be done • 4th page additional information (ideally tables, graphs or maps and where to go for more) • Evidence reviews • 15 pages with 4-5 page summary • Use numbered references (footnotes or endnotes) • Use bullet points and lots of sub-headings • Number paragraphs – it’s a report

6. Things to remember with policymakers • They are human beings and may well be experts in their own right • They are often subject generic and move around – so they know a lot about policy-making but not necessarily about the subject area • Try not to be overly about current policy – they are more likely to listen to ‘bad news' if you not too negative about past mistakes • Start by summarising where we are at now in terms of policy progress rather than diving in with what you think needs to be done

7. Writing for the media and general public • DON’T save the best until last – your best revelations should come first • Use comparative facts and figures – 25% of people said: that’s equivalent to 1 million people….. 200 tonnes of CO2: that’s like having 50 washing machines running full time …. • DON’T blind them with science but don’t dumb it down too much either – it’s a balance • If you do want to get technical make sure you can explain it clearly and concisely • Say what you know conclusively – DON’t leave it to inference • Avoid too much speculation – it is fine to say that you do not know or did not look at something.

8. Some good reference examples • Social and Equity Issues in Transport Policy Briefing Notes http://www.tsu.ox.ac.uk/research/uktrcse/#policy • Joseph Rowntree Foundation Summary Findings. www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/northern-ireland-poverty-summary.pdf • EVALOC Low Carbon Communities Newsletter http://media.wix.com/ugd/caf2de_4b4226b028884982b7e72bb242d95f1f.pdf • Campaign for Better Transport Report http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/files/Buses_In_Crisis_Report_AW_PDF_09.12.13.pdf

9. Questions and general discussion