Change requires clear researchers
Researchers in the transportation field must speak so that laymen understand. Otherwise, we will not solve today´s environmental problems, believes Professor Elizabeth Deakin at Berkeley.
Elizabeth Deakin has degrees in such diverse fields as transportation systems analysis, political science and law. She has devoted her entire career to alternative transportation systems and improving decision-making processes in urban planning. Currently, she directs the University of California Transportation Research Center (UCTC) in Berkeley, one of ten regional transportation research centers supported by the US government. “An ability to communicate with politicians and other decision makers is absolutely necessary if one wants to bring about change," says Elizabeth Deakin. She sees herself equally as a scientist and an activist. Intellectual curiosity
“I am driven by an intellectual curiosity, and am of course interested in methods and factual matters. But I also have a strong desire that our cities become better places to live in." Amongst other things, Deakin leads the interdisciplinary research programme Global Metropolitan Studies. One of the sub-projects is about creating environmentally-sustainable transportation systems in a number of large and rapidly-growing Chinese cities. Ongoing conversations with the mayors and other local decision makers about practical measures and strategies are totally necessary. “If you want to change a political process, it is important to communicate ideas and results in a way that is understandable. It is important to avoid using jargon and technical language."
Practical action
Globally, transportation contributes about one fourth of the total emissions of greenhouse gases. It is one of society´s most important challenges to create more environmentally-friendly alternatives. But there is no lack of ideas or functional solutions.
Deakin mentions, for example, more efficient motors, alternative fuels, and public transit, but also the possibility of encouraging people to find new ways of moving between home, work and recreational activities. The difficulty is in translating this into practical action. “We know of many measures for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, but we don´t have many good strategies for implementing them. This is the point of departure for today´s research."
Political science research
“Our understanding of the interactions between the different actors in transportation systems — households, companies, decision makers and individuals — needs to improve. What people actually do and the alternatives that they are offered are not necessarily the same thing," explains Deakin.
Normally, transportation research is performed from economics and geography perspectives, but Elizabeth Deakin is glad that environmental and political science research is also included. During our conversation she spontaneously mentions Mistra´s importance in creating creative research environments. “You should be proud in Sweden," she says. “It is remarkable that a government had the foresight to create such a foundation. Continuous economic support enables us researchers to do many exciting things. That´s cool," says Deakin.
