Dr Lauren Pearson is a Research Fellow and Equity Lead within the Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research Group in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (SPHPM) at Monash University. 

Lauren is an applied transport and public health researcher, with expertise on the intersection between sustainable and active modes of transport, and gender equity. Her vision is to unlock the potential of equitable active transport (walking and bike riding) to realise the significant health, environmental, social and economic benefits of getting more people active as part of everyday. To do this, she uses mixed-methods research and participatory methods alongside deep partnerships with government and non-government organisations (Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, VicHealth, The Municipal Association of Victoria, British Columia Centre for Disease Conrol, Canada) to tackle wicked problems and create innovative solutions that improve the lives of equity-deserving groups. She has pioneered the use of mixed-methods research to understand the barriers women face for active mobility, spurring international recognition and acclaim. This model of collaborative and equity-driven research has enabled significant translation of her research findings. 

Previously, Lauren led a program of research identifying the potential for, barriers to and enablers of riding a bike, where she identified that 3 in 4 Victorian's are interested in riding a bike, but are prevented by having to ride a bike on the road alongside motor vehicle traffic. Lauren now manages the Australian activities on a Canadian-Australian program of research for the implementation of sustainable transport interventions, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Transport & Planning. Lauren leads an independent program of research that uses co-design to understand and disrupt existing sociocultural and built environments that lead to car-dependency in women, and subsequent negative health and social outcomes. 

Lauren has aquired over $2.2 million in research funding, generated over $10 million in research impact, and published 10+ articles in high-impact journals since 2021. Her PhD research exploring barriers and enablers of cycling continues to directly inform transport and safety policy and funding internationally and within Australia.  

Lauren's passion for creating accessible, inclusive environments for people of all ages and abilities to choose sustainable and actives transport modes drives her ongoing research in the field.

Find out more about the Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research Group.