Research at Mobiel 21 for greater insight and impact
Measuring is knowing. Also when it comes to mobility. Here, two colleagues give their take on Mobiel 21's unique research approach. They tell who they work with, why citizen science is so important and what examples they like to share with the outside world. Would you like to conduct research on mobility topics? Then we are ready for you too.
Who does Mobiel 21 actually conduct research for?
Elke Franchois, Project Leader at Mobiel 21: Together with universities and knowledge institutions, we have been researching a variety of topics for years. From cycling behaviour to mobility poverty. Sometimes the research stems from a concrete request from a municipality, province or Flemish administration. Sometimes they are part of a European project.
Eva De Vrij, Project Leader at Mobiel 21: And sometimes we put a study on the agenda ourselves, because we see that something is going on in society or we repeatedly hear the same concerns from citizens, policymakers, companies or partners. Then we ask ourselves the question: Can we investigate and objectify this? Can we find an answer?
What does cooperation with universities and knowledge institutions look like?
Elke: In research projects, we complement universities and knowledge institutions. While our academic partners focus on their core expertise, particularly scientific theory, methodology and analysis, we link the research to the living environment of citizens and policymakers. In this way, we ensure that scientific output actually leads to added value for society.
Eva: In other words: we actively involve citizens in our research, translate research results into human language and provide clear communication towards the general public. We also focus on policy processes and the practical application of research results by governments and organisations. This division of roles, and the interaction between Mobiel 21 and academic partners, makes our research even more relevant for policy and society.
What forms does your research take?
Elke: That's a wide range. For example, we deploy science communication, citizen science and qualitative methods. Think interviews, focus groups or surveys.
Science Commuication
We translate research results into clear and accessible communication. We make complex research results understandable and discussable for citizens and policymakers. Data visualisation plays a central role in this: data are not merely presented, but actively used to create insight, facilitate discussions and substantiate policy choices.
Citizen science
Through processes and tools such as PING, Telraam and School on the Counter, we involve citizens as co-researchers. They collect data, interpret results and identify with the outcomes. Useful for research institutions, because citizen science leads to richer datasets and gives research results more public support and legitimacy.
Qualitative research
Using qualitative research methods such as interviews, focus groups and surveys, we capture experiences, perceptions and thresholds. This is how we give depth to figures. We also embrace innovative methods, such as customer journey mapping. For more complex statistical or model-based analyses, we cooperate with specialised academic partners.
Eva: We always adapt our research methods to the target group and context. In Ghent, we analysed customised transport through qualitative methods and user data. For our research into the feeling of unsafety of cycling mothers in Leuven, we used customer journey mapping, a method originally from marketing and product development research, to understand how mothers experience their daily cycling routes. Then again, in the VeloCircular project, we collaborated with KU Leuven on a complex choice experiment on circular bike parts.
I hear "citizen science". So do you send out citizens to do their own research?
Elke: Yes! For us, citizens are not just study objects, but experts. Using citizen science tools, we let people, from adults to small children, collect data about their living environment themselves. But it doesn't stop there: we make sure they also contribute ideas, analyse, and formulate recommendations. This creates insights that are not only scientifically based, but also understood and supported by the community.
What makes your approach unique?
Elke: Our approach is low-threshold. We don't shy away from going to a playground, at a community centre or in a service centre to talk to people who rarely show up in traditional surveys, for example about their use of shared mobility. Precisely because we are not a university or a study agency, people are more likely to open their doors to us.
Eva: In addition, we are good at making translations: from academic models to clear policy recommendations, and from raw data to comprehensible insights. For instance, we ensured that a complex model on job accessibility, developed by the University of Antwerp, also became understandable for local authorities that have to work with it.
What happens after a research project?
Elke: Research is not an end, but a starting point. We deliver clear reports, and also translate them into concrete recommendations and, where possible, action. For instance, the research on cycling mums resulted in the "VIPs on bikes" action, in which we highlighted the importance of safe cycling routes for young families.
Eva: Policymakers and local authorities will of course also use our research results and insights, for instance to adjust their mobility policy or make school environments safer.
Also need research? We carry it out together.
Mobiel 21 is a strong partner for anyone who wants to explore a mobility question in depth, going beyond mere data collection. Mobiel 21 believes in equal and sustainable partnerships with universities and research institutes. By connecting research with practice, participation and policy, we contribute to research that not only yields knowledge, but also insight, impact and real change.
Questions about our research approach or results? Fancy collaborating on a challenge or research question?
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