Dr Mariia Olkhova
Statement
"The CARA fellowship has been a lifeline, allowing me to continue my research and collaborate with my mentor Dr Asya Natapov and colleagues at Loughborough University on sustainable urban transport systems. Together, we are addressing challenges in integrating micromobility and public transport, with a focus on rebuilding war-affected cities like Kharkiv. The fellowship has also enabled me to present our findings at international conferences due to finance support from Loughborough University, expanding my network and professional growth. It has given me hope and purpose during a challenging time, proving that even in adversity, meaningful contributions are possible."
Biography
Research Fellow of Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) at the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, the United Kingdom (June 2023 – May 2025)
Associate Professor at the Transport Systems and Logistics Department, O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
PhD in Transport Systems at O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine, 2016.
Dr Mariia Olkhova’s research interests fall under city transport challenges concerning the sustainable development of urban areas by the instrumentality of planning, modelling and evaluation of micromobility, urban mobility initiatives and city logistics focusing on economic, ecological and social indicators. Her work aims to create a sustainable urban transport system as a complex system of interaction between public transport and micromobility, traffic and freight movement. She is the author of two monographs in Ukrainian on city logistics and freight rail/road transportation. Her research expertise has been applied to various projects funded by UK Research and Innovation, the European Commission, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Kharkiv City Council.
She successfully organised and delivered advanced training devoted to sustainable transport policy for educators and other stakeholders as well as training for students in Ukraine through the Erasmus+ programmes, EiT Urban Mobility, Dornier Group.
She is a member of UA-UK Academic Diaspora Network, Ukrainian Science Diaspora and Devon Ukrainian Community and contributes to local initiatives in the UK as a fundraiser for charity Sustrans, promoting walking, wheeling, and cycling.