
Professor Karen Lucas
Professor of Transport & Social Analysis
Phone: +44 (0)113 34 38086
Room: 1.05
Email: K.Lucas@leeds.ac.uk_
Research Group: Social and Political Sciences
Research interests
Karen is Professor of Transport and Social Analysis at the Institute of Transport Studies, University of Leeds. She has had 20 years of experience in social research in transport. She is a world-leading expert in the area of transport-related social exclusion.
In 2015, she was given the Edward L. Ullman Award by the Transport Geography Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers and in 2016 the University of Leeds Women of Achievment Award, both for her significant contribution to transportation geography.
Karen is a regular advisor to national governments in the UK. In 2002, she was seconded to the Social Exclusion Unit for fourteen months to develop policies to address the transport exclusion of low-income and disadvantaged groups and communities. She subsequently worked for the Department of Transport to undertake pilot studies and develop the Guidance on Accessibility Planning that resulted from this study.
Karen is also chair of the Special Interest Group on Cultural and Social Issues in Transport for the World Conference on Transport and Society (WCTRS) https://www.wctrs-society.com/special-interest-groups/topic-area-g-transport-planning-and-policy/.
Employment history
Karen joined ITS in 2013. She was previoulsy a Senior Research Fellow at the Transport Studies Unit (TSU), University of Oxford, where she also held a Senior Research Fellowship at Kellogg College.
She previously worked for 11 years as a senior research fellow at the Transport Studies Group, University of Westminster, where I was also research coordinator for its Centre for Sustainable Development.
Qualifications
- RSA Diploma in Teaching Adult Basic Eduction, Westminster College (1989)
- BSc Social Sciences (1st Class Honours), South Bank University (1994)
- Master by Resolution, University of Oxford (2009)
- PhD in environmental policy, University of Greenwich (1998).
Current projects
Descriptions of my current projects can be found under the Research Theme
Travel Behaviours and Social Inequalities
Current and recent research projects
My related research is organised under 4 key themes:
1. Transport poverty and social disadvantage
This has been an ongoing programme of case study research with different low income and socially disadvantaged groups in a variety of settings in the UK and more recently in Australia, Brazil and South Africa.
Projects
- Social assessment of the A465 road bypass project in South Wales
- Modelling the relationships between transport poverty and social disadvantage
- Transport and Social Exclusion: New Directions and National Comparisons (TranSENDaNC)
- Transport and accessibility in low income communities in the Recife Metropolitan Region
2. Public participation and knowledge brokerage
The focus here is on how to secure the active public participation particularly of 'hard to reach' groups in policy decision-making at all levels of governance, as well as how to facilitate knowledge brokerage between 'expert' and 'non-expert' communities.
Projects
- EU COST Action on Transport Equity Assessment
- Social Impacts and Equity issues in Transport Workshop Series
3. Social impact evaluation
This covers a range of theoretical and methodological issues, such as how to capture the full social benefits of new infrastructure projects and the development of appropriate evaluation metrics and methodologies for evaluating the equity outcomes of policy decisions.
Projects
- What Works Centre for Economic Growth?
- Greener Journeys:: make the switch to bus and coach
- Assessing the Social Distributional Impacts of Climate Change Polices for Transport
- Merseytravel Neighbourhood Travel Team Evaluation Study
4. Car dependence
A particular research interest is the impact of the transition to a low carbon transport system on low income households and the implications of this for local service delivery, land use and transport planning.
Projects
- (t) ERES - Energy-related economic stress – (transport, housing and fuel poverty)
- Evaluating the effectiveness, impacts and success of DECC-funded low carbon communities on localised energy behaviours
- RAC Foundation study of the Car In British Society
Teaching
Short course trainer for Transport Investment Appriasal (social impact assessment)
PhD Supervision Topics
I am happy to consider supervising research projects in a range of areas related to the transport inequalities, accessibility and the mobility experiences of differnt population groups from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. In particular I would welcome applications on:
- The social consequences of transport poverty for different social groups
- Social assessment of transport projects, policies and plans
- The impacts of transport investment projects in development contexts
- Youth mobility and access to economic opportunities
- Inclusive participation in transport decision-making
Papers
- Blanco J; Lucas K; Verlinghieri E; Apolaza R; Schafran A (In press) Contested Mobilities in the Latin Anmerican Context: Editorial, Journal of Transport Geography, .
- Blanco J; Lucas K; Schafran A; Verlinghieri E; Apaolaza R (In press) Contested mobilities in the Latin American context, Journal of Transport Geography, . doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.01.006
- Mattioli G; Lucas K; Marsden G (2018) Reprint of Transport poverty and fuel poverty in the UK: From analogy to comparison, Transport Policy, 65, pp.114-125. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2018.02.019
- Lucas K (2018) Editorial for special issue of European transport research review: transport poverty and inequalities, European Transport Research Review, 10, . doi: 10.1007/s12544-018-0288-6
- Mattioli G; Lucas K; Marsden G (2017) Transport poverty and fuel poverty in the UK: From analogy to comparison, Transport Policy, 59, pp.93-105. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2017.07.007
- Lucas K; Hamilton J; Mayne R (2017) Building capacity through action research: reflections on working with low-carbon communities in the UK, Local Environment, 22, pp.725-745. doi: 10.1080/13549839.2016.1259294
- Khreis H; Kelly C; Tate J; Parslow R; Lucas K; Nieuwenhuijsen M (2017) Exposure to traffic-related air pollution and risk of development of childhood asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Environment International, 100, pp.1-31. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.11.012
- Lucas K; Mattioli G; Verlinghieri E; Guzman A (2016) Transport poverty and its adverse social consequences, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Transport, 169, pp.353-365. doi: 10.1680/jtran.15.00073
- Khreis H; Warsow KM; Verlinghieri E; Guzman A; Pellecuer L; Ferreira A; Jones I; Heinen E; Rojas-Rueda D; Mueller N; Schepers P; Lucas K; Nieuwenhuijsen M (2016) The health impacts of traffic-related exposures in urban areas: Understanding real effects, underlying driving forces and co-producing future directions, Journal of Transport and Health, 3, pp.249-267. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2016.07.002
- Maia ML; Lucas K; Marinho G; Santos E; de Lima JH (2016) Access to the Brazilian City—From the perspectives of low-income residents in Recife, Journal of Transport Geography, 55, pp.132-141. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.01.001
- Lucas K; Porter G (2016) Mobilities and livelihoods in urban development contexts: Introduction, Journal of Transport Geography, 55, pp.129-131. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.07.007
- Lucas K; van Wee B; Maat K (2016) A method to evaluate equitable accessibility: combining ethical theories and accessibility-based approaches, Transportation, 43, pp.473-490. doi: 10.1007/s11116-015-9585-2
- Lucas K; Bates J; Moore J; Carrasco JA (2016) Modelling the relationship between travel behaviours and social disadvantage, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 85, pp.157-173. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2016.01.008
- Curl A; Lucas K (2016) The transport geography research group at the 2015 RGS-IBG conference, Journal of Transport Geography, 51, pp.227-228. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.01.009
- Schwanen T; Lucas K; Akyelken N; Cisternas Solsona D; Carrasco JA; Neutens T (2015) Rethinking the links between social exclusion and transport disadvantage through the lens of social capital, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 74, pp.123-135. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2015.02.012
- Di Ciommo F; Lucas K (2014) Evaluating the equity effects of road-pricing in the European urban context - The Madrid Metropolitan Area, Applied Geography, 54, pp.74-82. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.07.015
- Stanley J; Lucas K (2014) Workshop 6 Report: Delivering sustainable public transport, Research in Transportation Economics, 48, pp.315-322. doi: 10.1016/j.retrec.2014.09.058
- Lucas K; Pangbourne K (2014) Assessing the equity of carbon mitigation policies for transport in Scotland, Case Studies on Transport Policy, 2, pp.70-80. doi: 10.1016/j.cstp.2014.05.003
- Mejia-Dorantes L; Lucas K (2014) Public transport investment and local regeneration: A comparison of London's Jubilee Line Extension and the Madrid Metrosur, Transport Policy, 35, pp.241-252. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2014.05.020
- Lucas K; Musso A (2014) Policies for social inclusion in transportation: An introduction to the special issue, Case Studies on Transport Policy, 2, pp.37-40. doi: 10.1016/j.cstp.2014.06.002
- Lucas K (2012) Transport and social exclusion: Where are we now?, Transport Policy, 20, pp.105-113. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.01.013
- Jones P; Lucas K (2012) The social consequences of transport decision-making: Clarifying concepts, synthesising knowledge and assessing implications, Journal of Transport Geography, 21, pp.4-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.01.012
- Lucas K; Currie G (2012) Developing socially inclusive transportation policy: Transferring the United Kingdom policy approach to the State of Victoria?, Transportation, 39, pp.151-173. doi: 10.1007/s11116-011-9324-2
- Lucas K (2011) Making the connections between transport disadvantage and the social exclusion of low income populations in the Tshwane Region of South Africa, Journal of Transport Geography, 19, pp.1320-1334. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.02.007
- Lucas K; Blumenberg E; Weinberger R (2011) AUTO MOTIVES: UNDERSTANDING CAR USE BEHAVIOURS Introduction, AUTO MOTIVES: UNDERSTANDING CAR USE BEHAVIOURS, pp.XV-XVIII.
- Lucas K (2009) Actual and perceived car dependence: Likely implications of enforced reductions in car use for livelihoods, lifestyles, and well-being, Transportation Research Record, pp.8-15. doi: 10.3141/2118-02
- Currie G; Richardson T; Smyth P; Vella-Brodrick D; Hine J; Lucas K; Stanley J; Morris J; Kinnear R; Stanley J (2009) Investigating links between transport disadvantage, social exclusion and well-being in Melbourne-Preliminary results, Transport Policy, 16, pp.97-105. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2009.02.002
- Currie G; Richardson T; Smyth P; Vella-Brodrick D; Hine J; Lucas K; Stanley J; Morris J; Kinnear R; Stanley J (2009) Investigating links between transport disadvantage, social exclusion and well-being in Melbourne—Preliminary results, Transport Policy, 16, pp.97-105. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2009.02.002
- Lucas K; Tyler S; Christodoulou G (2009) Assessing the 'value' of new transport initiatives in deprived neighbourhoods in the UK, Transport Policy, 16, pp.115-122. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2009.02.004
- Stanley J; Lucas K (2008) Social exclusion: What can public transport offer?, Research in Transportation Economics, 22, pp.36-40. doi: 10.1016/j.retrec.2008.05.009
- Lucas K; Brooks M; Darnton A; Jones JE (2008) Promoting pro-environmental behaviour: existing evidence and policy implications, Environmental Science and Policy, 11, pp.456-466. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2008.03.001
- Marsden G; Lucas K; Brookes M; Kimble M (2008) An assessment and critique of capabilities for examining the long-term social sustainability of transport and land-use strategies, Transportation Research Record, pp.30-37. doi: 10.3141/2013-05
- Lucas K; Marsden G; Brooks M; Kimble M (2007) Assessment of capabilities for examining long-term social sustainability of transport and land use strategies, Transportation Research Record, pp.30-37. doi: 10.3141/2013-05
- Lucas K (2006) Providing transport for social inclusion within a framework for environmental justice in the UK, Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 40, pp.801-809. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2005.12.005
- Lucas K; Fuller S (2005) Putting the 'E' into LSPs: Representing the environment within local strategic partnerships (LSPs) in the UK, Local Environment, 10, pp.461-475. doi: 10.1080/13549830500203071
- Jones P; Lucas K; Whittles M (2003) Evaluating and implementing transport measures in a wider policy context: The 'Civilising Cities' initiative, Transport Policy, 10, pp.209-221. doi: 10.1016/S0967-070X(03)00022-2
- Jones P; Lucas K (2000) Integrating transport into 'joined-up' policy appraisal, Transport Policy, 7, pp.185-193. doi: 10.1016/S0967-070X(00)00021-4
- Lucas K (1998) Upwardly mobile: regeneration and the quest for sustainable mobility in the Thames Gateway, Journal of Transport Geography, 6, pp.211-225. doi: 10.1016/S0966-6923(98)00015-5
Books
- (2017) Urban Mobilities in the Global South, .
- Lucas K (2011) Auto Motives: Understanding Car Use Behaviours, Emerald Publishing.
- Manzi T; Lucas K; Lloyd-Jones T; Allen J (2010) Social sustainability in urban areas: Communities, connectivity and the urban fabric, pp.1-237. doi: 10.4324/9781849774956
- Manzi T; Lucas K; Lloyd Jones T; Allen A (2010) Social Sustainability in Urban Areas, Routledge.
- Lucas K (2004) Running on Empty: Transport, social exclusion and environmental justice, Policy Press.
Book Chapters
- Rynning MK; Uteng TP; Lucas K (2017) Epilogue: Creating planning knowledge through dialogues between research and practice, Urban Mobilities in the Global South, pp.215-222. doi: 10.4324/9781315265094
- Lucas K (2013) Qualitative methods in transport research: the 'action research' approach, In: Zmud J; Lee-Gosselin M; Carrasco JA (Ed) Transport Survey Methods: Best practice for decision making., Emerald Publishing.
- Lucas K (2013) Transport and social exclusion, The SAGE Handbook of Transport Studies, pp.261-278. doi: 10.4135/9781446247655.n15
- Lucas K (2012) Transport and social exclusion: Where are we now?, Mobilities: New Perspectives on Transport and Society, pp.207-222.
- Lucas K (2012) A critical assessment of accessibility planning for social inclusion, In: Geurs KT; Krizek KJ; Reggiani A (Ed) Accessibility analysis and transport planning, Edward Elgar, pp.228-244.
- Lucas K; Pangbourne K (2012) Transport and climate change policy in the United Kingdom: A social justice perspective, Transport and Sustainability, 2, pp.287-312. doi: 10.1108/S2044-9941(2012)0000002014
- Lucas K; Markovich J (2011) International Perspectives, In: Currie G (Ed) New Perspectives and Methods in Transport and Social Exclusion Research, Emerald Group Publishing, pp.223-240.
- Lucas K; Schwanen T (2011) Understanding auto motives, In: Lucas K; Blumenberg E; Weinberger R (Ed) Auto motives: understanding car use behaviors, Emerald Group Publishing, pp.3-38.
- Lucas K; Weinberger R (2011) Motivating changes in auto mobility, In: Lucas K; Blumenberg E; Weinberger R (Ed) Auto motives: understanding car behaviors, Emerald Group Publishing, pp.63-86.
- Lucas K (2011) Driving to the breadline, In: Lucas K; Blumenberg E; Weinberger R (Ed) Auto motives: understanding car use behaviors, Emerald Group Publishing, pp.209-224.
- Lucas K; Blumenberg E; Weinberger R (2011) AUTO MOTIVES: UNDERSTANDING CAR USE BEHAVIOURS Conclusions, pp.277-283.
- Manzi T; Lucas K; Lloyd Jones T; Allen J (2010) Understanding Social Sustainability: Key Concepts and Developments in Theory and Practice, Social Sustainability In Urban Areas, Emerald, pp.1-34.
- Lucas K (2010) Transport Planning for Sustainable Communities, Social Sustainability in Urban Areas, Earthscan, pp.121-140.
Reports
- Lucas K; Philips I; Nellthorp J; Reardon L; Laird J; Verlinghieri E (2016) Social Assessment of Section 3 of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road: Brynmawr to Tredegar, Social Assessment of Section 3 of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road: Brynmawr to Tredegar, pp.1-60.
- Marsden G; Atkinson P; Burkinshaw J; Edwards H; Jones I; Lucas K; Mattioli G; Palmer K; Reardon L; Wadud Z; Whiteing T; Cepeda M; Morley J (2016) Part 1: New trends in transport demand and related impact on transport systems and patterns, Research for Tran Committee - The World is Changing. Transport, Too., pp.11-52. doi: 10.2861/64175
- Stanley J; Lucas K (2013) Workshop 6: The public agenda: What is working and what is missing, pp.294-299. doi: 10.1016/j.retrec.2012.06.027
Conference Papers
- Lucas K; Philips I; Mulley C; Ma L (2016) Is Transport Poverty Socially or Environmentally Driven? Comparing the Travel Behaviours of Two Low-Income Populations Living in Central and Peripheral Locations in the Same City, Transportation Research Procedia .
- Guzman A; Philips I; Lucas K; Marsden G (2016) Power relations in the development of bus rapid transit in Quito, Ecuador, Transportation Research Procedia .
- De Lima J; Maia ML; Lucas K (2017) Income vs. travel time: Why do the poorest and the richest travel fastest in northeastern Brazil?, Transportation Research Procedia 25, pp.4289-4299. doi: 10.1016/j.trpro.2017.05.250
- Mattioli G; Lucas K; Marsden G (2016) The affordability of household transport costs: quantifying the incidence of car-related economic stress in Great Britain, Universities' Transport Study Group .
- Carrasco JA; Lucas K (2015) Workshop synthesis: Measuring attitudes; Quantitative and qualitative methods, Transportation Research Procedia 11, pp.165-171. doi: 10.1016/j.trpro.2015.12.014
- Lucas K (2005) Providing transport for social inclusion within a framework for environmental justice in the UK, 28th Australasian Transport Research Forum, ATRF 05 .
Other Publications
- Pangbourne K; Lucas K; Curl A (2015) Transport Geography Research Group at the 2014 RGS-IBG conference, Journal of Transport Geography, 42, pp.191-192. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.10.007
- Lucas K (2012) Urban Transport in the Developing World: A Handbook of Policy and Practice - book review, JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT GEOGRAPHY, 22, pp.321-322. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.11.013
- Lucas K (2012) A critical assessment of accessibility planning for social inclusion - book review, Accessibility Analysis and Transport Planning: Challenges for Europe and North America, pp.228-244. doi: 10.4337/9781781000106.00022
- Lucas K (2010) Mobilities and Inequality - book review, JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT GEOGRAPHY, 18, pp.663-664. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2010.06.009
- Lucas K (2009) Tracing mobilities: towards a cosmopolitan perspective, JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT GEOGRAPHY, 17, pp.245-246. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2009.01.004
- Lucas K (2009) Transport: Critical essays in human geography (contemporary foundations of space and place series)., JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT GEOGRAPHY, 17, pp.151-151. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2009.01.003