Collaboratory Researcher Profiles
Project Title: Rethinking first and last mile travel beyond city boundaries across the UK: Theory, Models and Policies
What were you doing before starting this PhD?
Before starting my PhD, I completed an undergraduate degree in Urban Planning at Loughborough University. My studies covered a wide range of topics, including planning policy, the history of the planning system, local development plans, environmental planning, and transport planning.
What motivated you to apply for this specific PhD project?
I applied for this PhD because I wanted the opportunity to learn new skills and deepen my knowledge in an area I’m genuinely interested in. I was also motivated by the chance to contribute to existing research and add something meaningful to the field.
My PhD examines how people make travel choices, with a particular focus on first‑ and last‑mile (FLM) connections to public transport. I’m exploring how different factors, such as transport options, planning policy, local environments, and personal fallbacks, shape the decisions people make about how they travel. Through this work, I aim to better understand how to improve sustainable travel and support more accessible, well‑connected communities.
What difference do you hope to make in Leicester through this research?
Through this research, I hope to make a positive difference in both Leicester and Loughborough by contributing valuable insights to local transport planning. My aim is to better understand the challenges faced by people in rural areas and improve how they are connected to nearby urban centres. Ultimately, I want this work to support more accessible, reliable, and inclusive transport options for the communities that need them most.
What do you hope to be doing in 5 years’ time?
In five years, I hope to have successfully completed my PhD and be building a career that allows me to continue contributing to research and real‑world transport challenges. Personally, I’d also love to have travelled more, especially to places like Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing and I hope some of those opportunities will come through attending international conferences, with the bonus of visiting Disney and Universal Studios along the way.