8 May 2007
Monash University Accident Research Centre and the Amy Gillett Foundation today confirmed Marilyn Johnson as the inaugural recipient of the Safe Family Research Scholarship.
A first in Australian traffic safety research, the three-year postgraduate scholarship recipient will conduct research into traffic safety relating specifically to the interactions between bicycles and other vehicles on our roads.
"A recent MUARC study commissioned by the Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) clearly showed we do not have enough information about the characteristics of bicycle and motorist crashes," AGF General Manager, Melinda Jacobson said.
"By partnering with one of Australia's most respected traffic research institutes to award this scholarship, we hope to make a real difference to safety on our increasingly crowded roads, especially given more bikes have been sold than cars for the last seven years," she added.
Dr Lesley Day, interim Director of MUARC, welcomed today's announcement.
"This scholarship further cements MUARC as Australia's leading accident prevention research centre," she said. "We look forward to Marilyn making a valuable contribution to a most important research area."
The Safe Family Research Scholarship was established by the Amy Gillett Foundation to further its work to address issues of safety on roads when motorists and cyclists share the same space.
Scholarship recipient Marilyn Johnson hopes the research will lead to improved safety for all modes by investigating the collisions and near collisions with bicyclists from the perspective of all road users. The study will explore the circumstances of the incidents as well as people's experiences, attitudes and behaviour as a result of an incident.
Ms Johnson is expected to commence her postgraduate research with MUARC immediately.
For additional information regarding the Amy Gillett Foundation Safe Family Research Scholarship or to speak to Ms Johnson, please contact Melinda Jacobsen, General Manager -- 0412 157 987
For additional information regarding the Monash Accident Research Centre please contact Colin Vickery, Media Officer, MUARC on 0419302520.
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