We are part of the university-wide Choice Modelling Centre (CMC), which is the largest group of its kind in the world and which has links with many other leading researchers in the field of choice modelling. Our research covers new methodological developments, produces theoretical and behavioural insights, and provides practical solutions to real-world problems across numerous thematic areas.
<p>The research in <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport-choice-modelling">Choice Modelling</a> (CM) focuses on three different areas:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Methodological research in choice modelling </p> </li> </ul> <p>The Choice Modelling research group has been relentlessly pushing the boundaries of traditional choice modelling by methodological contributions to better replicate the human decision process. Examples include enriching choice models with insights from psychology and behavioural economics to better capture the behavioural dynamics, mental deliberation, decision in risky situations, (apparent) irrationality, etc. Ongoing research by the current PhD students also includes fusing machine learning and choice modelling techniques. Recent doctoral researches in this area have been lauded by best PhD paper and most Innovative paper awards at the International Choice Modelling Conferences (2017 and 2019) as well as numerous publications in leading journals. CM group at ITS Leeds is the largest group of researchers in the UK working on choice modelling. The group has close links with <a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/psychology">School of Psychology</a> and <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/">Leeds University Business School </a>which facilitates cutting edge interdisciplinary methodological research. </p> <ul> <li>Travel behaviour modelling using emerging data sources</li> </ul> <p>Technological innovations have led to a marked shift in the data available for modelling travel behaviour. In recent years, CM research group has conducted methodological and applied research using diverse sources of emerging data sources ranging from mobile phone records, GPS traces, virtual reality, smart-card, ride-sharing data, etc. often in conjunction with physiological sensor and brain images. These research have been used as inputs to the Transport Appraisal Guidance (TAG) of the UK Department for Transport leading to direct practical impact. The partnerships with the <a href="https://www.turing.ac.uk/">Alan Turing Institute</a> and <a href="https://lida.leeds.ac.uk/">Leeds Institute for Data Analytics</a> provide excellent access to data as well as training facilities for doing cutting edge research in these areas. </p> <ul> <li>Travel behaviour modelling in the Global South</li> </ul> <p>Travel behaviour is significantly different in the Global South – not only because of the stark differences in the socio-demographic characteristics, family compositions, activity types, etc. but also because of the remarkable differences in priorities, attitudes, etc. Researchers at CM have experience of working with data from Argentina, Bangladesh, China, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa etc. in topics ranging from the residential location and car ownership, public transport choices, driving behaviour, etc.</p> <h3>Useful links and further reading:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport-research-degrees">Research degrees within the Institute of Transport Studies</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport-choice-modelling">Choice Modelling research</a></li> <li><a href="https://cmc.leeds.ac.uk/">Choice Modelling Centre</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport-research">Institute of Transport Studies, Research and Innovation </a></li> </ul> <h3>Leeds Doctoral College</h3> <p>Our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-leeds-doctoral-college">Doctoral College</a> supports you throughout your postgraduate research journey. It brings together all the support services and opportunities to enhance your research, your development, and your overall experience.</p>
<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>.</p>
<p>For general enquiries and further information about the application process, please contact the Faculty of Environment postgraduate research admissions team.</p> <p>e: <a href="mailto:env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk">env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>
<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h2>