Research into practice

To many practitioners, earning a living as a transport modeller in one of many consultancies, the academic world can feel like an unknown zone. Many will have been part of it as an undergraduate or postgraduate. These ‘academics’ prepared us for the world of work. 

We learnt from them about our subject, and about the skills we use each day at work – but then? They became strangers to us. What do they do when they are not teaching students? How can we, as practitioners, continue to interact with the academic world? Something deep within me feels that there has to be mutual benefit from closer and continued interaction between transport modellers working in consultancies and the academic community.

How can practitioners help academics to create a two-way flow of ideas, experience and data for research?

Working together

The Research into Practice workshop at Modelling World 2017 provides an opportunity to interact with members of the academic world, from PhD students to professors. It will enable us explore together how the transport modelling community in the ‘real’ world can interact with those in ‘ivory’ towers. 

Innovative UK PhD students will showcase research into areas such as the use of Bluetooth and mobile data for modelling, and others will share the experience of those who have tried to live in both worlds at the same time – what is it like to do a PhD part-time while still working for a consultancy. Is it madness? Join us to find out...!