Joel Gilbert

Joel Gilbert is a PhD researcher based at the University of Manchester working to reduce car dependency in the UK by focusing on specific journeys, currently the “school run”.  This is being conducted both from a sustainability perspective and a social justice one, with the impact of car use being disproportionately large on both children and those living in areas of multiple deprivation.

Joel is applying theories of social practice to contribute new insights into why car use is increasing for the school journey and to develop innovative policy pathways to both reverse this trend and to facilitate more active travel in its place. Beyond this, Joel has previously conducted research on the experiences of people living car free in Oxford (in partnership with researchers from the University of Cardiff, and the environment charity Possible) as well as the impact of School Streets on residents in Manchester.