About the Conference

ETC - not just a conference for researchers

There are those who consider ETC to be a conference for researchers. Research sessions are an important element, but the Conference’s reputation has been built on the interface between research and practice. Speakers are asked to draw out the policy implications of research - not to concentrate on the design and operation of a model, for example. Equally, practitioners and policy makers are encouraged to relate their presentations to the research behind the implementation of schemes and policies.

The Conference has built its reputation on the excellence of presentations and papers and the fact that all those involved in the dissemination of transport research, the formulation of policy and the implementation of those policies and practices. It presents a great opportunity for networking and forming career-spanning professional relationships. Although sessions at the Conference can be challenging in discussing matters of policy at the highest level, they can also provide good, basic education and training opportunities - it is truly a conference for all.

The Conference has up to 10 seminars running simultaneously each day allowing delegates access to a range of sessions - there is freedom to choose between all the sessions on offer. The chairman of each session is asked to make sure there is ample time for discussion of papers and questions and each day has time set aside for networking opportunities.

Format of the Conference

The Conference will be held over three days from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 October 2011. Working hours will be from 0900 to 1830. In the evenings, optional social events and networking opportunities will be offered.

A plenary session will be held each day. These present an opportunity to invite keynote speakers and to hold panel sessions dealing with key critical topics affecting transport across Europe of interest to all delegates.

Each day will have 3 sessions of up to 2 hours with up to 4 papers presented in each session (minimum of 10 minutes discussion on each). Up to 10 sessions will be held simultaneously, so delegates can choose to listen to papers ranging from in-depth discussion of general policy at local, national and supranational levels to research methods to the implementation of projects.

An attractive package is available to encourage attendance for the full three days of the Conference. To maximise networking opportunities offered by the event, it is hoped that delegates will attend for the whole Conference; however, attendance on single days is also possible. The conference "Rover" ticket also allows organisations to book for the full three days and send a different delegate on separate days.

Profile of Delegates and Speakers

The conference attracts transport planners and engineers; local, regional and central government officers; public transport planners and operators; providers of technical advice and consultancy; policy makers, researchers and academics; those who evaluate and finance projects.

Conference Language

The language of the conference is English and all presentations will be made in English.

Speakers and delegates are advised that it is necessary to have a good standard of spoken English to take full advantage of the conference.