Our Team

Professor Phil Blythe is lead director of the NUCoRE and is Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) at Newcastle University where he Heads the Future Mobility Group. Phil’s research focus has been in the interface between policy and technology to optimise their design and implementation in areas, such as: connected and autonomous vehicles; electro-mobility; decarbonisation; and age-friendly and accessible transport. Phil currently heads up the recently awarded National Research Hub for Decarbonised, Adaptable and Resilient Transport Infrastructures (DARe). Previously, Phil was Chief Scientific Adviser for the UK’s Department for Transport between 2015 and 2021.

Dr Susan Kirk is a Reader in International Human Resource Management within the Business School at Newcastle University. She is an interpretivist researcher in the field of mobility, identity and place and has a particular interest in hypermobility associated with the modern workplace. Susan is an HR specialist and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and  the Secretary of the Human Resource Management Special Interest Group in the British Academy of Management.  Susan co-leads the NUCoRE  Transport, Society and Place theme.

Dr Andrew Kingston is a Chartered Statistician and Senior Lecturer in the Epidemiology of Ageing in the Faculty of Medicine. His interdisciplinary research decodes how the complex relationship between biology, disease, and environmental factors like transport, accessibility, and pollution impact health trajectories. Working on several cutting-edge research programs, he aims to bridge gaps between statistical epidemiology and public health policy, focusing on reducing health inequalities and enhancing quality of life. Andrew co-leads the NUCoRE Transport, Society and Place theme.

Professor Mark Robinson is Professor of Rail Systems Engineering in the school of Engineering. His main research interests include asset management, infrastructure and rail vehicle maintenance, railway technology and inspection and monitoring techniques. He is a specialist in infrastructure and rail vehicle inspection and monitoring and uses this expertise for consultancy purposes. He has won awards for vehicle joining technologies and use of composites for lightweighting of rail vehicles.  His specialism in composites includes, investigating the replacement of metals with composite materials in the rail industry and other transport sectors. Of particular interest are fire safety, energy absorbent crashworthy composites and lightweight structures for transport applications. He is the most recent winner of the JEC AWARD for “Composites in Land Transport”.  Mark leads the NUCoRE Pathways to Decarbonisation Theme.

Professor Geoff Vigar is Professor of Urban Planning in the school of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. Geoff’s main research interests include: UK planning practice, ideas of the public interest, professionalism, knowledge and expertise with regard to built environment professions, and the role of the private sector.  He specialises in citizen engagement in planning and particularly citizen-led approaches using digital and offline methods and also in the area of the politics of urban infrastructure policy, practice, regulation and financing. In the mobility space Geoff focuses on equality and inclusion with regard to the accessibility of the built environment focused especially on health-promoting travel (mental/ physical), liveable neighbourhoods and public transit accessibility. Geoff co-leads the Transport, Society and Place theme.

Professor Roberto Palacin is Professor of Transport Futures and Director of the Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology Discipline within the School of Engineering. Roberto leads leading the Railway Systems area at NewRail as part of Newcastle University's Future Mobility Research Group. He has a background in Mechanical Engineering, Design and Railway Systems Engineering.  Roberto have been involved in research projects on subjects such as strategic development of transport systems, energy efficiency of urban and mainline rail systems, urban mobility and sustainability, development of innovative railway concepts, energy optimisation of transport systems, intermodality of the European rail network and development of modular concepts for high-speed. He is also a co-Director of the DARe Hub.  Roberto leads the NUCoRE Technology theme.

Dr David Golightly is Lecturer in Human Systems Integration the Future Mobility Group within the School of Engineering.  Dave is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CErgHF) and a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol),  He works in the field of cognitive ergonomics, understanding the factors that make technology and systems fit for the intended user's needs and cognitive abilities. This is primarily in the transport sector, with specific expertise in rail, and covers transport innovation (particularly driverless vehicles), transport operation and also works on engagement with passengers and public.  Dave co-leads the NUCoRE Technology theme.