Charity awards PhD scholarship grants for research into accessible transport

THE Motability Foundation is awarding PhD Scholarship grants to Loughborough University and The Open University, for doctoral candidates with lived experience of disability to undertake research into accessible transport.  

Following a Pilot Scholarship Programme at Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre (NTDC), the Foundation is extending the programme to include more universities and to expand its scope. The research areas now include accessible transport policy and practice, alongside transport design.   

At The Open University, the doctoral candidate will be partnering with charity and campaign group Transport for All, who will provide support and expertise for the research. Loughborough University is currently recruiting its doctoral candidates.  

The announcement follows scholarship grants being awarded, earlier this year, to prospective candidates at UCL, Newcastle University and the University of Westminster. These doctoral studies will explore augmented reality in mobile navigation for those with visual impairments and develop design practices to create policies and guidance for accessible travel spaces. 

These scholarships offer doctoral candidates the opportunity to work on complex transport issues, directly relevant to their own experience. With students across six universities, Motability Foundation will look to create a peer network in the future. 

Rachael Badger, 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.” 

In 2021, the Motability Foundation began its Pilot Scholarship Programme to research accessible transport design at the NTDC.  

Stephanie, a doctoral candidate at Coventry University, has shared her experience of taking part in the Pilot Scholarship Programme:

“Working in a research topic that is really close to my heart and having relevant lived experience means I have a natural interest and passion in the work I’m doing, and so it is easier for me to grow professionally as a researcher and advocate.” 

The Pilot Scholarship Programme currently supports three PhD students at Coventry University, who are researching rail travel and aviation. 

To find out more and apply for a PhD Scholarship at Loughborough University, please visit: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/phd-opportunities/research-into-accessible-transport/.  

To keep up to date with the PhD Scholarship Programme and future funding opportunities, please visit: www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/impact-and-innovation/.