I have worked in the private sector as a consultant but I am now Head of Transport Planning and Modelling Unit, Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland.

My Fellowship considered public transport planning practices to target social need. I travelled in the USA visiting transport authorities and bus operators. I also received invaluable assistance and insight from the Community Transportation Association of America. I came to appreciate how well developed the transport planning processes where in the USA, despite their apparently unsustainable practices and notorious private car dependency.

Since undertaking my Fellowship, I have played a role in planning improved local bus services in towns in Northern Ireland. More recently I have championed the principle of accessibility planning to promote integrated land use and transport planning.

The Fellowship provided me with a unique opportunity to think more widely about the role of transport planning and how it can influence and help the lives of real people.