Transport for Older People: More user focussed
26 October 2006
Transport for Older People: More user focussed
Hosted by: Institute for Transport Studies, Leeds University
Sponsored by: Institute for Transport Studies and SPARC
Event organisers:
Dr Greg Marsden, Leeds University
Ms Verity Smith, SPARC Coordinator
Date: 26 October 2006
Venue:
University of Leeds
This is a special workshop, one in a series to be organised by SPARC to promote the value of scientific ageing-related research and opportunities for further research. The workshop has been designed to provide a broad representation of recent advances in approaches to improving the quality of life of older people. Ageing research is still not a priority area and the research community is very small.
The workshop will provide encouragement to all those with an interest in the transport needs of older people. It will focus especially on mobility, transport and transport planning.
SPARC (Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity) is a new initiative funded by EPSRC and BBSRC which has been established to extend the previous remit of the EQUAL Network. SPARC is designed specifically to provide a platform, publicity and policy representation for existing researchers and to encourage newcomers into ageing research. A key aspect of its activities is working in partnership with the users of research - older people and those organisations which represent the interests of older people and which provide older people and their carers with services, advice and other support. As well as organising workshops over the next three years SPARC will provide up to 30 pump-priming awards to newcomers to ageing research in the fields of design, engineering and biology.
The Institute for Transport Studies is a free-standing school of the University of Leeds and sits within the Faculty of the Environment. The Institute's aims are to advance the understanding of transport activity, operations and use and to develop skills and best practice among transport professionals and decision-makers. ITS was recognised as an Institute in 1971 although it was establsihed some time before and since then has grown to be a world leader in academic transport research and teaching.
The Institute is the UK's largest single academic group providing transport courses and training. In a typical year it has 500 undergraduate students, around 80 students on taught postgraduate programmes, up to 40 registered research students, and up to 100 delegates participating in short courses.
The Institute aims to continue to make a significant contribution to resolving the serious skills shortage currently faced by the UK transport sector, and to improving the quantity and quality of transport professionals internationally.
ITS is a leading centre for transport research. It hes secured the highest rank in thre successive Research Assessment Exercises. Major funders of research are the European Commission, DfT andl EPSRC. Staff have provided expert advice to such international organisations as the World Bank, the European Commission and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport, to national governments around the world and to such UK entities as the House of Commons Transport Select Committee.
The Institute maintains three research facilities, has a number of software products and was the first academic unit in Britain to achieve ISO 9001 accreditation for research activities. In recognition of its achievements in nurturing and developing its staff, it was awarded Investor in People status in 2001.
ITS has approximately 50 academic teaching and research staff and around 30 support staff from a wide variety of background disciplines, including engineering, economics, geography, mathematics, computer science, social science and psychology.
The workshop will be of interest to a wide range of practitioners and policy makers, health and social care practitioners, industry, charitable and government bodies concerned with the needs of older people, as well as researchers and academics from engineering, biological, social science, medical and health care disciplines. Older people are especially welcome.
There is no charge for attendance just an enthusiasm and interest in extending the quality of life of older people through informed user-focused research and its application.
Transport for Older People: More user focussed :
Overview |
Programme |
Registration |
Location |
Downloads |
