PTRC Fireside Chat: Dare I say something?

Dare I say something?

Speaking up as a transport professional when something feels wrong

20th PTRC Fireside Chat – 12.30pm-2.00pm, 25 September 2025

Bite your tongue. Don’t say it out loud. Are you sure you want to post that?

When you look at a LinkedIn post on an emotive topic you can see the likes, comments and reposts. You may also see how many impressions the post had had if you’re the author. But what you won’t see are those people who have viewed the post and have thoughts of their own but felt unable to express support or offer comment. What you won’t necessarily sense from those who have engaged is their agonising over what the consequences might be of them daring to do so.

As professionals we are often advised not to bring politics into what we discuss. We can be or feel discouraged from straying into opinions on topics outside our professional sphere. We may be obliged to keep quiet on matters of significance to our employers. Silence is golden, it is sometimes said. Yet it is also said that to be silent is to be complicit on issues that really matter.

There are some emotive topics within our sphere as transport professionals that can stir up feelings and which find themselves bleeding into the realms of politics. Are self-driving vehicles manner from heaven or paving the road to hell? Is it right that we are still building new roads for motor traffic? Are low traffic neighbourhoods toxic? Is economic growth unquestionably a good thing? Let’s take it up a notch. How do we react when a politician says ‘Net Stupid Zero’, when we’re working hard on taking climate action? Should employers be rolling back on equality, diversity and inclusion because it might harm work winning prospects if they stood firm against a political regime? What about going up several more notches and considering the deep misgivings about fascism and genocide? What do we think about people being arrested for peaceful protest about developments they are gravely concerned over?

At the present time many of us are feeling the weight of current affairs within and beyond our professional spheres. This latest PTRC Fireside Chat explores the human emotions swirling above and below the surface for transport professionals and seeks to make sense of our wish to express ourselves versus whether we feel we are able to express ourselves.

Chaired by Professor Glenn Lyons, our panel will explore the following questions:

1. Is this an iceberg of emotion whereby those expressing feelings are but the tip above the surface, or are most people who feel strongly on a matter making their feelings known?

2. Are we prone to catastrophise when contemplating saying or writing something, imagining troublesome consequences from ‘stepping out of line’?

3. What can the consequences be for ourselves and others if we don’t speak up; does it really matter?

4. Is it a case of picking your fights?

5. Would our profession be better if more people said something?

Please consider booking your free place to join us for this conversation.

Glenn remarks: “I penned the scene-setting promotional text for this event the day Ozzy Osbourne passed away. Nothing lasts forever. Knowing we did our best with the time we have matters. Dare to say something.”