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Tackling School-Run Congestion from a Household Perspective
ESRC/DfT postgraduate research studentship
School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, University of Newcastle
Applications are invited for a fully funded postgraduate research studentship to be held in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, University of Newcastle, starting October 2005. This highly esteemed award, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Department for Transport, provides a stipend at a rate £2k above the standard ESRC rate for three years (subject to satisfactory progress). It offers the successful candidate excellent opportunities to develop post-graduate skills through evidence based research and collaborative dissemination.
This project seeks to unravel the key determinants of school run travel behaviour for different household types, recognizing from a holistic understanding of 'choice' that these function interdependently across spheres of production (more parents working longer hours), consumption (rising car ownership and the quasi-market for state education), and social reproduction (shopping and childcare). It will use evidence of school run travel behaviour to scrutinise different strategies to combat congestion (such as the School Travel Plan, Walking Bus and subsidised 'Yellow Bus' transport schemes), viewing these in a holistic framework to consider the likely impact on simultaneous policy initiatives, such as those intended to reduce social exclusion. The project will adopt a mixed methods approach combining quantitative travel-activity micro-data with in-depth household biographies conducted in selected urban/suburban sites of London and Doncaster.
Applicants for this studentship must have a very good first degree in a relevant discipline, and must have (or be about to complete) either a Masters degree that has ESRC recognition, or other research training experience that satisfies ESRC criteria for entry to a +3 studentship. Candidates must also meet other ESRC eligibility criteria. For details see: http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/Images/GuidanceNotes05_tcm6-4866.pdf
For further particulars please contact
Dr. Helen Jarvis, University of Newcastle (email: [log in to unmask], Tel: 0191 222 6959). Applications must be submitted to Dr Jarvis by Monday July 18th and must include a full CV and letter of application explaining research experience, qualifications and interest in the field of study.
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