VREF and partners are delighted to announce the Call for Abstracts for the 2nd African Transport Research Conference (ATRC 2027), to be held 2–4 March 2027 in Cape Town, South Africa, with pre-events on 1 March. Building on the momentum and success of the inaugural ATRC in 2024, this second edition once again aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and educators to
Researchers and practitioners are invited to contribute to the Research Conference within the First Global Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility (ISM), taking place in Bangkok, October 26–28, 2026. The conference will highlight new research, comparative perspectives, and collaborative approaches to informal and shared mobility systems, with a particular focus on the Global South. The first-ever Global Convening on Informal
VREF is pleased to announce the release of its new paper,” Supporting the next generation of transport scholars in Sub-Saharan Africa: insights, challenges, and opportunities”. This timely publication, authored by a collaborative team – Gail Jennings, Ibraheem Forson Abdul-Azeez, Namatirai Cheure, Frank Edward, Mary Wanyua Mwangi, Jethron Ayumbah Akallah, Rasheed Olawale Azeez, Paschalin Basil, Wofai Ewa, Prince
Welcome to Watch the recording of the VREF NextGen Research Forum held 29 October 2025, in which we explore ”Pathways to Inclusive and Sustainable Informal Urban Mobility”. Main Theme: Exploring how to transform Informal Public Transport (IPT) into a more sustainable and inclusive form of urban mobility, with a specific focus on the Global South.
Daniel Oviedo (UCL) and Fernanda Rivera (UCL)/ former General Director of Public Transport, Mexico City) VREF are pleased to share the launch of a new project supported by VREF and University College London (UCL). The project will document the ongoing modernization of Mexico City’s popular transport system, with a special focus on microbuses, an essential mode for millions of residents. The
In cities across the globe, unequal access to economic, social, and cultural opportunities presents a major challenge. Transport systems often play a key role in either facilitating or weakening access among various groups. Disparities in access are often systematically linked to socioeconomic or environmental disadvantages. Addressing these inequities is a growing priority for both researchers
On Wednesday, September 17, the VREF Mobility and Access in African Cities (MAC) program hosted a vibrant Research Forum to introduce three new, multi-year African Research Programs (ARP-MACs). For all who were unable to attend, the complete recording of this insightful event is now available. The forum provided a crucial platform for the VREF community
Three new researchers have been awarded the prestigious Lee Schipper Memorial Scholarship for Sustainable Transport and Energy Efficiency for transformative research proposals that challenge conventional wisdom. Since 2013, the Lee Schipper Memorial Scholarship has continued the legacy of Lee Schipper’s enrichment of international policy dialogue in sustainable transport and energy efficiency. Schipper, a physicist, researcher, musician and
Issues of mobility and access are central to developing sustainable and equitable societies. In a new Think Piece from VREF, researchers Gina Porter and Lanoi Maloiy invite us to explore mobility from a different vantage point, introducing “relationality” as a valuable perspective for both research and policy. The paper addresses the shared challenge of understanding
”Research that bridges disciplines and aims to support evidence-based policymaking is more important than ever. I am very happy that VREF recognises this, and honoured to receive the Håkan Frisinger Prize”, says Björn Nykvist. PHOTO: SEI The Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) is pleased to announce that Björn Nykvist, Senior Research Fellow and Team
