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Dr Charles Musselwhite

Senior Lecturer in Traffic and Transport Psychology
Centre for Transport & Society
Faculty of Environment and Technology
University of the West of England
Frenchay Campus
Coldharbour Lane
BRISTOL BS16 1QY

Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83010
Fax: +44 (0)117 32 83899
Email: Charles.Musselwhite@uwe.ac.uk

Professional Summary | Areas of Specialism |
Activities | Recent Publications

Professional Summary

Charles' background is in applied social psychology. In particular he has an interest in how attitudes and motivation mediate behaviour and specifically, decision making and level of accepted risk. He has specific expertise in applied social research methods, in particular focus groups, deliberative workshops, interviews and qualitative analysis. His current interests include older people's travel and driver behaviour and examining how to reduce the negative impact of giving up driving and the relationship between attitudes and risk (specifically how the public conceptualise road user safety). He is also interested more generally in the role of affect and other psychosocial variables in travel behaviour decisions and examining road user conflicts and the need to reconceptualise the shared nature of the road space. His growing portfolio of research on older people's travel and driver behaviour, includes being principal investigator on a BBSRC and EPSRC funded research project looking at the role of technology in prolonging safe driving and an internal UWE grant looking at how older people contemplate and give-up driving. He is also a Co-Investigator on the New Dynamics of Ageing Grey and Pleasant Land Project looking at older people in rural areas for the ESRC. He has been involved in running three research projects in collaboration with BMRB-TNS Ltd for the DfT in the past 5 years including understanding public attitudes to road user safety, the relationship of attitudes to carbon calculators to travel behaviour and the public acceptability to road pricing. He was also project manager for the DfT funded, review on evidence of business attitudes to travel and contributed to a behaviour change thinkpiece documents for DfT.

Previously Charles worked at Bournemouth University where he completed projects on education, collaboration and networking including developing and carrying out large-scale multi-method evaluations, in the field of applied psychology and mental health, including award winning work raising mental health awareness of prison staff. He completed his PhD at the University of Southampton in June 2004 which involved qualitative and quantitative analysis coupled with on-road trials addressing attitudes towards Advanced Vehicle Driver Assistance Systems, culminating in a segmentation approach to driver risk. Charles has also carried out research applying social psychology to merchant seafaring operations, including a longitudinal study of recruitment, selection and retention of merchant seafarers and an in-depth account of simulation as a method of training for seafarers.

Areas of Specialism

Ageing and mobility
Attitudes and acceptability of policy, practice and transport interventions
Road user safety
The role of attitudes in travel behaviour
Car driver behaviour
Self-identity and impression management
Human factors and the role of attitudes in the usability of new technology
Qualitative and applied mixed methodologies

Current Activities

Principle investigator for the project to explore how older people contemplate and experience giving-up driving (UWE internal grant)
Co-investigator on the rural travel behaviour of older people for the Grey and Pleasant Land research project (NDA ESRC grant)
Co-investigator for the EU Renaissance Project
Researcher on the Suburban Neighbourhood Adaptability to Climate Change (SNACC) ESRC project
Advisor to the Driving Hands project aimed at investigating factors influencing the resumption of driving following immobilisation in a below-elbow cast (for the British Association of Hand Therapists)
Supervisor to four PhD students:
- Amy Webber (Community Transport)
- Tom Calvert (New Understanding of Road Safety)
- Md. Kamran ul Baset (Child road safety in Bangladesh)
- Rutul Joshi (Poverty and travel behaviour in India)
Member of South West Region Co-operative
Member of OPeRA (Older People in Rural Areas) Research Network

Recent Publications (2001-2011)

Refereed Journal Papers

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Avineri, E., Susilo, Y.O. and Bhattachary, D. (in press). Public attitudes towards motorcyclists' safety: A qualitative study from the United Kingdom. Accident Analysis and Prevention.

Chapman, C. and Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2011). Equine road user safety: Public attitudes, understandings and beliefs from a qualitative study in the United Kingdom. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 43(6), 2173-2181. DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2011.06.009.

Dudley, G., Goodwin, P., Lyons, G., Musselwhite, C. and Wiltshire, P. (2011). Lost in translation: problems in interpreting business attitudes to transport. Transportation Planning and Technology, 34(1), 35-50. ISSN 0308-1060 print/ISSN 1029-0354 online; DOI: 10.1080/03081060.2011.530828.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2010). The role of education and training in helping older people to travel after the cessation of driving. International Journal of Education and Ageing, 1(2), 197-212. ISSN 2044-5458.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2010). Exploring older drivers' perception of driving. European Journal of Ageing, 7(3), 181-188. ISSN: 1613-9372 (Print) 1613-9380 (Online). DOI: 10.1007/s10433-010-0147-3.

Musselwhite, C. and Haddad, H. (2010). Mobility, accessibility and quality of later life. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 11(1), 25-37. DOI: 10.5042/qiaoa.2010.0153.

Chatterton, T., Coulter, A., Musselwhite, C., Lyons, G. and Clegg, S. (2009). Understanding how transport choices are affected by environment and health: views expressed in a study on the use of carbon calculators. Public Health, 123(1), 45-49.

Musselwhite, C. B. A. (2006). Attitudes Towards Car Driving Behaviour: Categorising and Contextualising Risk. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 38(2), 324-334.

Musselwhite, C. B. A. and Freshwater, D. (2006). Mapping Competency, Skills and Standards in Mental Health. Nurse Education Today, 26, 277-285.

Barnett, M. L., Stevenson, C. J. and Musselwhite, C. B. A. (2003). The Recruitment and Retention of Seafarers Programme. Lloyds Ship Manager. July/August, 55-58.

Stevenson, C.J., Barnett, M.L. and Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2002) Seafaring recruitment and career prospects. Seaways, April, 12-13.

Barnett, M. L., Stevenson, C. J. and Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2001). Finders Keepers. Lloyds Ship Manager. July/August, 47-48.

Other reports and publications

Musselwhite, C. (2011). The importance of driving for older people and how the pain of driving cessation can be reduced. Signpost: Journal of Dementia and Mental Health, 15(3), 22-26.

Musselwhite, C. (2010). In-vehicle technology and the older drivers: debates, skills and attitudes. Ignite Bulletin - The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited. Issue 1, November, pp.5-6.

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Avineri, E., Fulcher, E. and Susilo, Y.O. (2010). Understanding public attitudes to road-user safety - literature review: Final report. Road safety research report No.112. DfT: London.

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Avineri, E., Susilo, Y.O., Fulcher, E., Bhattachary, D., Hunter, A. and Stockley, R. (2010). Understanding the public attitudes to road user safety: Final report. Road safety research report No.111. DfT: London.

Lyons, G., Musselwhite, C., Dudley, G., Goodwin, P. and Wiltshire, P. (2009). Business attitudes to transport. Knowledge review of existing evidence. Final report. Department for Transport.

Owen, R., Sweeting, A., Clegg, S., Musselwhite, C. and Lyons, G. (2008). Public acceptability of road pricing. Final report, Department for Transport, London. Available online

Coulter, A., Clegg, S., Lyons, G., Chatterton, T. and Musselwhite, C. (2008). Exploring public attitudes to personal carbon dioxide emission information. Final report, January. Department for Transport, London. Available online

Musselwhite, C. B. A. and Haddad, H. (2007). Prolonging the Safe Driving of Older People through Technology. Final report, October 2007. Centre for Transport & Society, University of the West of England, Bristol. Summary available online (pdf)

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Freshwater, D., Schneider, K. and Galvin, K. (2005). Mapping of Education and Training for Mental Health Practitioners in the South West. Bournemouth: Institute of Health and Community studies, Bournemouth University. ISBN - 1-85899-194-3.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Vincent, C. (2005). Academic Centres in Practice Evaluation Report. Bournemouth: Institute of Health and Community studies, Bournemouth University.

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Walsh, L. and Freshwater D. (2005). Mental Health Awareness for Prison Staff A Case Study at HMP High Down. Bournemouth: Institute of Health and Community studies, Bournemouth University.

Musselwhite, C. B. A. (2004). Book review of T. Scott (2004). Integrative Psychotherapy in Healthcare: A Humanistic Approach (Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke). Journal of Social Work Practice, 18(3), 408-410.

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Freshwater, D., Jack, E. and Maclean, L. (2004). Mental health Awareness for Prison Staff, Bournemouth: Institute of Health and Community studies, Bournemouth University.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Jack, E. (2004). Mental Health Awareness for Prison Staff, Beacon, 5, 19-20.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2003). Education and Training for Mental; Health South West, Mental Health South West Bulletin, 1, 2.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2003). Mental Health Awareness Training for Prison Officers. Prison Healthcare, 13, 17-18.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2003). Mental Health Awareness in Prisons. Horizon, December, 23-24.

Habberley, J., Barnett, M. L., Gatfield, D., Musselwhite, C.B.A. and McNeil, G. M. (2001). Simulator Training for Handling Escalating Emergencies. Southampton: Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Conferences and presentations (selected)

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2011). Boy racers, Dunkirk spirit and the Pompey bounce: The use of movement and mobility in impression management and identity formation. British Sociological Association Conference, London School of Economics.

Shergold, I., Parkhurst, G. and Musselwhite, C. (2011). Rural car dependence: an emerging barrier to community activity for older people? Proc. 43rd Universities Transport Studies Group Conference, Open University, Milton Keynes, January.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2010). Older drivers and technology, can they cope? Invited paper for Safer roads - A global challenge, World Road Association Congress, Birmingham, 3rd November.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2010). The role of technology in helping to prolong safe driving for older people. British Society of Gerontology Conference, Brunel University, 6th July.

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Avineri, E. and Susilo, Y. (2010). An in-depth exploration into public attitudes towards motorcyclist risk-taking behavior. The International Conference on Safety and Mobility of Vulnerable Road Users, May, Jerusalem, Israel.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2010). Driving into old age: How harnessing technology can help prolong safe driving for older drivers. Invited presentation at the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Traffic Safety (PACTS) Conference on “How can technology help the vulnerable road user?” Birmingham University, March 10th.

Dudley, G., Goodwin, P., Lyons, G., Musselwhite, C. and Wiltshire, P. (2010). Lost in translation: Problems in interpreting business attitudes to transport. Proc. 42nd Universities Transport Studies Group Conference, University of Plymouth, January.

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Avineri, E. Fulcher, E., Goodwin, P. and Susilo, Y. (2010). Public Attitudes to Road User Safety: A critical review of the UK based literature 2000-2009. Proc. 42nd Universities Transport Studies Group Conference, University of Plymouth, January.

Musselwhite, C.B.A., Avineri, E., Fulcher, E., Goowin, P. and Susilo, Y. (2009). Understanding the public attitudes to road safety. A review of the literature 2000-2009. Proceedings of the 19th Behavioural Studies Seminar, Horsley Park, East Horsley, Leatherhead 30 March - 1 April.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2009). Using Grounded Theory to Elicit the Driving Needs of Older People. Invited presentation at the International conference on Inclusive Design, Royal College of Art, London, UK 5-8 April 2009 Royal College of Art, London.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Lyons, G. (2009). Exploring the public acceptability of road pricing. Proc. 41st Universities Transport Study Group Conference, University College London, January.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2009) Prolonging the Safe Driving of Older Drivers through Technology. Invited presentation at the Recent Advances in Assistive Technology & Technology Conference: Coventry University, 1st December 2008.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2008). Psychological factors that mediate and motivate risky driving behaviour amongst younger drivers. Accepted paper presented at the International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology, 31st August - 4th September.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2008). An exploration into the travel needs of older people. Accepted paper presented at the International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology, 31st August - 4th September.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2008). Travel and well-being. Travel independence and car dependence: an exploration of older drivers travel and driving needs. Invited paper for presentation at the British Society of Gerontology Conference, Bristol, 6th September, 2008.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2008). Older men and their cars. Invited paper for presentation at the BA Festival of Science, Liverpool. 11th September 2008.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2008). Older Drivers, Travel and Later Life Learning. Invited paper to the ESRC Older People and Learning Seminars, Leicester University, 13th March.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2008). A Grounded Theory exploration into the driving and travel needs of older people. Proc. 40th Universities Transport Study Group Conference, University of Southampton, Portsmouth, January.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2007). Putting your Foot Down. Invited paper for the Help the Aged/Research into Ageing Conference, Older People on the Move, University of Reading, 19th September.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2007). Travel Independence in Car Dependent Times. An exploration into how technology might help older drivers meet their travel and driving needs. Invited paper presented at Research for a Better Age Workshop, Hotel Penzance, Penzance, 10th August.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2006). Improving Public Acceptability of Road Pricing. Invited paper at ITS UK Environmental and Road Charging groups, Leeds University, 9th November.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Haddad, H. (2006). Prolonging safer driving through technology: user views. Invited paper at Transport for Older People Workshop, Leeds University, 26th October.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2006). Prolonging safe driving behaviour through technology: attitudes of older drivers. Paper presented at 26th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Athens, Greece. 16th - 21st July.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. and Vincent, C. (2006). Partnerships and Collaborations in Practice. Paper presented at 11th International Conference for the Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK. 13th-14th March.

Musselwhite, C.B.A. (2004). Technological Humps and Having the Hump with Technology. Paper presented at the International Conference on Traffic & Transport Psychology, Albert Hall, Nottingham, UK, 5th-9th September. Paper available online (pdf)