Dear colleagues in the VREF “Next Generation Scholars” Community,
We are happy to share this invitation and hope to see you at the second VREF “NextGen Research Forum” of 2025. This time around we will be focusing on Informal and Shared Mobility, specifically: “Pathways to Inclusive and Sustainable Informal Urban Mobility”
This forum explores pathways for transforming informal public transport (IPT) into a more sustainable and inclusive form of urban mobility, with particular focus on the Global South. The session connects discussions about the socio-demographic dynamics influencing informal transport with emerging ‘smarter’ technologies and strategic approaches. Through case studies and simulations, participants will examine the distinctive realities of informal transport systems and how the technological innovations can be adapted to suite them.
QUESTIONS WILL INCLUDE:
- How can research on informal and mobility be better integrated to inform sustainable IPT strategies?
- Who are the stakeholders in informal public transport and how do they interact?
- How can Mobility-as-a-Service (Maas) be conceptualised, implemented, and adopted in low-income countries?
Moderators: Shahan Ahmed and Obed Bore, VREF NextGen facilitators
Logistical host: Karin Henriksson, VREF
SAVE THE DATE & REGISTER TODAY
Date: Wednesday 29 October 2025
Time: 12:00 – 14:00 GMT
Register here!
PROGRAM
Welcome and introduction: Henrik Nolmark, VREF
Current VREF NextGen initiatives: Robert Ambunda, Pascalin Basil, VREF NextGen facilitators
PRESENTATIONS
Title: Rethinking informalities in urban Global South mobilities
Presenter: Ariana Salas Castillo, Columbia Climate School, New York, USA
Discussant: Ibraheem Abdul-Azeez, Lagos State University, Nigeria
Title: Understanding Informal Transport Dynamics in Bogotá: A Social Network and Agent-Based Modelling Approach
Presenter: Andrés Torres Gómez, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
Discussant: Samuel Akintomide Ajayi, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Nigeria
Title: A Framework for Smart Transport in Low Income Countries: A Case of Malawi
Presenter: Donald Phiri, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Malawi
Discussant: Augustina Amponsah, University of Ghana, Ghana
Plenary Discussion || Reflections
Closing: News, Updates from VREF; Short survey || Networking
BACKGROUND
In 2021 VREF’s “Mobility and Access in African Cities” program (MAC) launched a series of virtual seminars or “webinars” – known as Research Forum – on issues related to sustainable urban mobility and equitable access in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) cities. This series was later expanded to a separate series of “MAC NextGen Research Forums” focusing on current work by young scholars in SSA, specifically advanced master students, Ph.D. candidates and early career scholars.
Starting in 2024, VREF initiated its “VREF NextGen Research Forums” to enable exchange of knowledge and perspectives among NextGen scholars within all its programs.
The purpose of the Next Gen Research Forum is:
- to stimulate scientific discussion among the NextGen community on specific issues and themes in the area of sustainable urban mobility and equitable access;
- to provide an opportunity for young scholars to present and discuss their on-going work with their peers within the community;
- to provide a meeting place for dialogue and exchange among young scholars and other stakeholders within the community
The Research Forum on 29th October 2025 is the third in the special series “VREF NextGen Research Forums” – designed specifically for young scholars and other stakeholders within the community.
Do you have questions, thoughts or ideas related to the VREF NextGen program? Do not hesitate to contact us: secretariat@vref.se