The Team
At the University of Birmingham, we are a multi-disciplinary team of social scientists with expertise in transport studies, governance and public policy, science and technology studies, social exclusion, diversity and inclusion, social psychology and other areas.
Fern Elsdon-Baker
Fern is Professor of Science, Knowledge and Belief in Society, and the Director of the Research Institute for STEMM in Culture and Society (ISTEMMiCS), at the University of Birmingham. Fern is also the Director of the Future Flight Social Insight programme.
Louise Reardon
Louise is Associate Professor in Governance and Public Policy in the School of Government, University of Birmingham. Louise is part of the management team of the Future Flight Social Science Research Programme and leads the research strand on governance and planning implications of future flight innovations. This programme of research aligns with Louise’s wider expertise on the governance of future mobility.
Will Mason-Wilkes
Will is an Assistant Professor in Engineering, Technology and Innovation in Society. A Science and Technology Studies scholar, Will is interested in media and popular culture representations of science and technology and the interactions and intersections between science and technology, media, and society. On the Future Flight Social Insight programme, Will researches how popular and media narratives of future flight impact on and shape processes, products and perceptions of innovation.
Karen Chen
Karen is the Future Flight Social Insight Project Support Manager. She brings a wealth of administrative expertise and a deep understanding of our university’s mission. With a background as an Executive Officer, Karen is dedicated to ensuring the successful execution of the project and fostering collaboration among our valued partners.
Adam Michael Packer
Adam joined the Future Flight Social Insight team as a Research Fellow in November 2022. His focus is on the local governance dimensions of future flight development in the UK. This builds on his expertise and experience researching the societal implications of innovation projects in test and development phases of emerging technologies.
Caroline McCalman
Caroline is an interdisciplinary researcher with core interests in energy and environment, science and religion, culture and climate. Her work as a Research Fellow on the Future Flight Social Insight programme focuses on engaging groups and communities in dialogue to understand any potential concerns they might have with Future Flight aviation systems.
Derry Keohane
Derry is a Research Fellow on the future flight project whose focus is on local and regional planning, which is a complicated and multilayered process in the UK. He has relevant research experience in technology transfer, transport, and community engagement in policymaking.
Alex Carter
Alex is a historian and social scientist with experience of researching discrimination, radicalism, and conflict. His work as a Research Fellow on the Future Flight Social Insight programme focuses on the lived experiences of marginalised and minoritised communities in relation to transport systems.
Alisi Mekatoa
Alisi is a Research Fellow on the Future Flight Social Insight team, working on the Diversity and Inclusion workstream. She brings her experience of developing and evaluating person-centred care programmes to understanding potential impacts of Future Flight on different communities and publics.
If you would like to find out more, please get in contact.