ESRC/Department of Transport Studentship: Tackling School-RunCongestion from a Household Perspective, School of Geography, Politicsand Sociology

Applications are invited for a fully-funded postgraduate research studentship to be held in the School ofGeography, Politics and Sociology, University of Newcastle, jointlysupervised by Dr Helen Jarvis and Dr Seraphim Alvanides, startingOctober 2005.

This highly esteemed award, funded by the Economic and SocialResearch Council and the Department for Transport, provides a stipendat a rate £2,000 above the standard ESRC rate for three years (subjectto satisfactory progress).

It offers the successful candidate excellent opportunities todevelop post-graduate skills through evidence based research andcollaborative practitioner dissemination.

This project seeks to unravel the key determinants of school runtravel behaviour for different household types, recognizing from aholistic understanding of 'choice' that these function interdependentlyacross spheres of production (more parents working longer hours),consumption (rising car ownership and the quasi-market for stateeducation), and social reproduction (shopping and childcare).

It will use evidence of school run travel behaviour to scrutinisedifferent strategies to combat congestion (such as the School TravelPlan, Walking Bus and subsidised 'Yellow Bus' transport schemes),viewing these in a holistic framework to consider the likely impact onsimultaneous policy initiatives, such as those intended to reducesocial exclusion.

The project will adopt a mixed methods approach combiningquantitative travel-activity micro-data with in-depth householdbiographies conducted in selected urban/suburban sites of London andDoncaster.

Applicants for this studentship must have a very good first degreein a relevant discipline. They must have (or be about to complete)either a Masters degree that has ESRC recognition, or other researchtraining experience that satisfies ESRC criteria for entry to a +3studentship.

Candidates must also meet other ESRC eligibility criteria. For details see www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/Images/GuidanceNotes05_tcm6-4866.pdf

For further particulars please contact Dr. Helen Jarvis University of Newcastle (Tel: 0191 222 6959).

Applications must be submitted to Dr Jarvis by Monday 18 July andmust include a full CV and letter of application explaining researchexperience, qualifications and interest in the field of study.

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