1. Disseminating Transport Geography Research
Dr. Karen Lucas
Associate Professor, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds
Chair of RGS/IBG Transport Geography Research Group
Associate editor Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier Publocations

2. Dissemination Non-academic outputs Audiences Policy briefings
Practical guidance notes
Case studies
Public facing events
Demonstration days
Audiences
Business sector
Politicians
Policymakers
NGOs
Communities (of place and interest)
The Media
Social media

3. Aims to … Strengthen research impact (RCUK and EU projects)
Raise the profile of your research with end users
Raise the profile of your organisation
Develop a product or tool for the market
Make a difference on the ground
Support the policy process
Provide evidence for decision-making
Lobby for change
Generate community activity

4. Fit for purpose
Keep it brief and concise – avoid explaining complexities
Talk to your audience – change the writing style and format of your materials accordingly
Use everyday language and avoid over-use of jargon and technical terms
Focus on a few key findings – NOT research rationale, methods
Say why they are relevant e.g. ‘it’s the first time in the UK that…’; ‘contrary to previous research, my sudy shows that…’
Stay on message and don’t waffle

5. Writing for policymakers
Policy briefing notes – short 2-4 page (max.) summaries
1st page 5 key points/findings
2nd page background facts and figures to support the argument/findings
3rd page what does it mean/what should be done
4th page additional information (ideally tables, graphs or maps and where to go for more)
Evidence reviews
15 pages with 4-5 page summary
Use numbered references (footnotes or endnotes)
Use bullet points and lots of sub-headings
Number paragraphs – it’s a report

6. Things to remember with policymakers
They are human beings and may well be experts in their own right
They are often subject generic and move around – so they know a lot about policy-making but not necessarily about the subject area
Try not to be overly about current policy – they are more likely to listen to ‘bad news' if you not too negative about past mistakes
Start by summarising where we are at now in terms of policy progress rather than diving in with what you think needs to be done

7. Writing for the media and general public
DON’T save the best until last – your best revelations should come first
Use comparative facts and figures – 25% of people said: that’s equivalent to 1 million people… tonnes of CO2: that’s like having 50 washing machines running full time ….
DON’T blind them with science but don’t dumb it down too much either – it’s a balance
If you do want to get technical make sure you can explain it clearly and concisely
Say what you know conclusively – DON’t leave it to inference
Avoid too much speculation – it is fine to say that you do not know or did not look at something.

8. Some good reference examples
Social and Equity Issues in Transport Policy Briefing Notes
Joseph Rowntree Foundation Summary Findings.
EVALOC Low Carbon Communities Newsletter
Campaign for Better Transport Report

9. Questions and general discussion