Welcome to the Department for Transport Academic Engagement Event! Join us on Mon Mar 10 2025 at 10:00 AM at Cloth Hall Court in Leeds city centre, for a day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities.

The theme of this year's event is Maximisming Policy Impact from Academic Research.

Professor Sarah Sharples, DfT's Chief Scientific Adviser and Professor of Human Factors at the University of Nottingham will again be our host for a day of insightful discussion, collaboration and networking focused on maximizing the policy impact of academic research.

What to Expect:

Hear from and engage with Professor Sarah Sharples, DfT's Chief Scientific Adviser, and transport policy leaders from across government and its agencies.
Learn about the DfT Areas of Research Interest (ARI), and contribute to shaping the next iteration of the ARI to support our collective goals of shared knowledge production and palpable policy impact from research.
Explore the intersection of research and policy in the context of REF 2029, the spending review, infrastructure reform, and major transport initiatives like the Integrated National Transport Strategy and the creation of Great British Railways.
Discover successful collaborative research with significant policy impact, and hear insights on current opportunities and challenges for transport research, presented by R&D program leaders from across DfT, members of our Science Advisory Council and Innovate UK
Connect with fellow academics, industry representatives, and members of the transport policy community.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, March 10, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 3.30 PM followed by a networking reception
Location: Cloth Hall Court, Leeds city centre (2-minute walk from Leeds Station)
Food: Lunch and light refreshments provided. Please email sacsecretariat@dft.gov.uk with dietary requirements or allergies after registration.

Limited Places Available: Register now to secure your spot!