As a researcher focusing on applied transport and land use planning, I have developed internationally recognised skills in micro-economic analysis, choice modelling and experimental design. My areas of research include adoption of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, public transport demand, residential location decisions, economic evaluation of transport policy and workers’ rights in the gig economy. My research in choice modelling is acknowledged by twice being invited to present at the Choice Modelling Centre, Leeds; invited to give a one-day training workshop to the Centre of Transport Research, Czech Republic; as well as being session chairs/ workshop facilitator for the International Choice Modelling Conference and International Association of Travel Behaviour Research. 

UWA Research Representative on the PATREC Research Committee

Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC) Research Fellow

Centre of Business Data Analytics (CBDA) Research Fellow

Editorial Board of Case Studies on Transportation Research

This research has had measurable and lasting effects for the transport function and modelling efforts in Western Australia. My analysis on fare structures formed part of the evidence for restructuring public transport fares (WA Treasury, 2021). My work in economic appraisal methods for travel demand management is now used to assess public transport investment as a module in Perth’s strategic transport model (Dept of Transport, 2019), improving state government decision making and increasing value for taxpayer dollars; my method to estimate economic value of increased levels of working from home is also being programmed into the strategic transport model (Dept of Transport, 2022). The development of capabilities in integrated land use and transport modelling is currently informing planning policy for Perth and Regions (Dept of Planning Lands & Heritage, 2021).

In addition submissions on workers’ rights in the gig economy has been heavily cited in the NSW Select Committee on the impact of technological and other change on the future of work and workers, NSW; I was invited by the Australian Senate Inquiry in on-demand platform work in Australia to provide expert comment on proposed policy changes (submission 10.1) and was an invited expert to a conciliation hearing  in the Fair Work Commission’s consideration of Menulog’s application for a new modern award. The research is important to Australia’s policy decisions on navigating industrial relations laws for work in technology-based industries. 

Since 2015, as an applied researcher in transport I have led five industry funded grants contributing to several transport policy decisions in Perth and for regional Western Australia. Over this time, I have led research projects that have attracted over AU$2 million in external grants and in excess of AU$100,000 in internal grants.

Externally Funded Grants

2023 Transport Mode Choice Development using Perth Area transport and household survey (PATHS) data; PATREC $80,000 

2023 Impacts of e-Rideables on the transport task in WA; PATREC $92,000

2022  Transport Scenario Modelling as a result of Working from Home, i-Move CRC; $260,000

2020   Enhancing land use inputs to transport models through advanced econometrics I-Move CRC Funded Project - $76,400

2019 Travel Demand and Risk Management: Optimising urban travel patterns in a changing transportation landscape,                I-Move CRC Funded Project - $144,000

2017 An Appraisal of Travel Plans and Voluntary Transport Behaviour
Projects  - $55,000

2017 RailSmart Wanneroo Planning Support System, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Smart Cities and Suburbs Program  – $1,000,000;

2016 Addressing Future Uncertainties of Perth at 3.5 Million: What-If Scenarios for Mass Transit, PATREC - $65, 000

2015 Mass Transit Plan for Perth at 3.5 Million and Beyond, WA Department of Transport - $378,000

2014 Congestion Abatement through Travel Demand Management - $64,000

Internal Funded Grants

2023 Milne Visiting Professor Program,  Professor Elisabetta Cherchi, Newcastle University

2023 How to ask better open-ended questions. The fate of the “Do you have anything more to add?” - $5,000

2022 A Prototypical Analysis of Trust in Artificial Intelligence: An Autonomous Vehicle Case   - $5,000

2019 Evaluation of Automated Vehicle Future Scenarios: A Multidisciplinary Approach, FABLE Research Collaboration  Award - $20,000

2019 A Constructive Technology Assessment of the Adoption of Autonomous Vehicle Innovations in Australia, UWABS Future Fund Grants - $8,700

2018 Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Minimum Conditions for Workers in the Gig Economy, BHP Research Awards -- $10,000

2016 Perception of autonomous vehicles and vehicle ownership models, BHP Research Awards – $14,000.

2016 BHP Visiting Professor award – Prof Stephane Hess, Leeds University -- $16,000

2015 Structural Inequalities with Leeds University, World University Network - ₤8, 000

2013 Impact of light rail on residents' travel in Perth -- $14,000;

2012 BHP Visiting Professor award, Prof Antonio Paez, McMaster University – $22,000

2011 Valuation of housing and location attributes, UWA Business School – $14, 000

2023 Impacts of e-Rideables on the transport task in WA; PATREC $92,000

2023 Transport Mode Choice Development using Perth Area transport and household survey (PATHS) data; PATREC $80,000

I am currently Director of programs: Masters of Business Analytics and Masters of Business Information and Logistics Management. In these roles I develop curriculum, participate in accreditation and support students during their time at UWA. I also teach into these programs covering Foundations in Business Analytics, Supply Chain Analytics, Business Intelligence, Project Management and Data Analysis and Decision Making. Over the years I have supervised final year honours students in Engineering, Geography, Economics and Management. 

Previous Students

• Dr Elena Vazquez Melendez: Willingness to  acceptance and intention to use blockchain-based mobile applications for food transparency, authenticity & safety
• Dr Hendrik Braun : Dynamic optimisation of road freight transport operations in competitive market environments
• Dr David Evans:  Perceptions of project success in the chemical and petrochemical design and construction industries
• Dr Ying Huang:  An examination of risk parameter as a measurement of risk attitude in discrete choice modelling
• Dr Fakhra Jabeen: The adoption of electric vehicles: behavioural and technological factors
• Dr Xiaolin Tang:  Riding into the Future: People's Willingness to Rideshare in Autonomous Vehicles
• Dr Jue Wang: Choice-based demand forecasting in airline revenue management systems